15th anniversary video

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Sarah Pearlstein, Seneca Group

Safety Moment Presented by

Olivia Cleary, The Clearly Collective

This session explores how professionals can pursue ambitious careers, lead high-performing teams and achieve meaningful results without burning out. Panelists will share practical strategies for setting boundaries, navigating competing demands, advocating for themselves and their teams, and leading with intention. Attendees will learn how to balance results with sustainability -- building careers, teams and cultures designed to last.

Amanda Amadon, Ankura

Cary Brown, E.E. Reed

Pam Jones, Amtrak

Maya Kelly, HITT

Moderated By: Erin Knabenshue, Southland Industries

Working on a public project comes with unique rules—but getting paid shouldn't feel like a mystery. Whether you're a general contractor, subcontractor, or supplier, understanding how payment protections work can help you avoid surprises, protect your cash flow, and keep your projects moving.
 

In this session, we'll break down what you need to know about payment bonds on public projects, the deadlines that matter, and the steps you can take to protect your business before payment issues arise.

Every construction contract must answer four critical questions: How do we handle changes? What happens when someone doesn’t pay?  What happens when something goes wrong?  How do we resolve disagreements? This interactive session will break down these essential risk-allocation issues in plain language for both lawyers and non-lawyers. Participants will also have the opportunity to negotiate key contract provisions in a guided exercise.

For 20 years, the Women in Construction Conference has brought together the people, ideas, and relationships that continue to shape our industry. To commemorate this milestone, Ankura and Deloitte invite you to participate in a fun and engaging “speed dating” style networking event where you'll connect with fellow attendees through a short series of one-on-one conversations designed to spark new relationships, fresh perspectives, and lasting professional connections.

The construction industry is built on collaboration, risk management, negotiation, and decisive leadership. Drawing on their experience leading, advising, and supporting organizations across the law and construction industries, panelists will discuss what effective leadership looks like in a complex, high-pressure, traditionally male-dominated industry, and how professionals at every level can help drive meaningful change.

The session will focus on how communication, both external and internal, can support professional growth and sustainable leadership.
• How body language and physical presence communicate before we speak
• How to clearly communicate recommendations, boundaries, disagreement, and authority
• How to maintain confidence while navigating negative self-talk, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt
• How these skills contribute to career longevity, resilience, and effective leadership

Description

How industry leaders are attracting, developing, and retaining the next generation of construction talent.

As emerging technologies, automation, and AI reshape how we work, professionals are being challenged to continuously expand their technical expertise and adapt to an increasingly complex environment. This session will explore how to stay competitive and relevant while maintaining balance in the face of constant change. Panelists will share practical insights on embracing new technologies, developing future-ready leadership skills and managing career growth.

Shirley Albritton, National Institute of Building Sciences

Stu McGee, Southland Industries

Dorinda Stewart, CannonDesign

Moderated By: Missy Hawkins, Dustin Construction

Working on a public project comes with unique rules—but getting paid shouldn't feel like a mystery. Whether you're a general contractor, subcontractor, or supplier, understanding how payment protections work can help you avoid surprises, protect your cash flow, and keep your projects moving.
 

In this session, we'll break down what you need to know about payment bonds on public projects, the deadlines that matter, and the steps you can take to protect your business before payment issues arise.

Every construction contract must answer four critical questions: How do we handle changes? What happens when someone doesn’t pay?  What happens when something goes wrong?  How do we resolve disagreements? This interactive session will break down these essential risk-allocation issues in plain language for both lawyers and non-lawyers. Participants will also have the opportunity to negotiate key contract provisions in a guided exercise.

This interactive workshop moves beyond self-care clichés to explore the science of stress and the power of intentional daily habits.

Attendees will create a personalized Self-Care Playbook with practical strategies to strengthen their physical, emotional, mental, and relational well-being. The session will close with a guided breathwork meditation, and attendees will leave with a journal and practical tools they can begin using right away.

The construction industry is built on collaboration, risk management, negotiation, and decisive leadership. Drawing on their experience leading, advising, and supporting organizations across the law and construction industries, panelists will discuss what effective leadership looks like in a complex, high-pressure, traditionally male-dominated industry, and how professionals at every level can help drive meaningful change.

The session will focus on how communication, both external and internal, can support professional growth and sustainable leadership.
• How body language and physical presence communicate before we speak
• How to clearly communicate recommendations, boundaries, disagreement, and authority
• How to maintain confidence while navigating negative self-talk, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt
• How these skills contribute to career longevity, resilience, and effective leadership

Description

How industry leaders are attracting, developing, and retaining the next generation of construction talent.

Emily Calandrelli, Astronaut, Author, Speaker, TV Host, Creator

This session brings together industry leaders to reflect on the most meaningful changes of the past 20 years and offers candid insights into what lies ahead. Panelists will explore how market cycles, innovation, workforce evolution, and leadership expectations are reshaping the industry and what it will take for women to not only participate in, but also lead, the next 20 years of growth.

Stephanie Elgart, Gilbane

Gayathri Shetty, Exponent

Barbara Wagner, Clark Construction

Barbara Werther, Werther & Mills

Moderated By: Catriona Winter, Clark Construction

Amanda Goldsmith, MGAC