Program Welcome & Introduction

Janice L. Tuchman, Editor-in-Chief, Engineering News Record
Melinda Gentile, Partner, Peckar & Abramson P.C.

Opening Keynote

Looking at Construction’s Post-Pandemic Recovery

Jamie Cook, one of the investment community’s leading and most respected observers of corporate health in the construction and equipment sectors, will kick off this year’s GWIC with an outlook on the shape of the industry’s economic rebound and needed management strategies. She also will offer insights for women advancing industry careers and seeking leadership roles in male dominated fields.

Jamie Cook, Managing Director and Lead Sector Stock Analyst, Construction and Machinery, Credit Suisse

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Break

Panel

View From the Top—How Women Industry Chiefs Are Managing for Growth and Success

Women leaders across the private and public sectors in construction provide insights on key challenges in leading their contracting, consulting and owner organizations forward amid the past year’s uncertainties spawned by the COVID-19 pandemic and market shifts. Learn how these industry chiefs see recovery progressing in key market sectors. What are key lessons learned from the crisis, positive signs and risks ahead for AEC firms and clients, and management advice for attendees?

Moderator
Ted Lower, CEO, LVNV Group

Panelists
Susan Angyal, North American CEO, ERM
Ann McNeill, CEO, MCO Construction; Founder-President, National Association of Black Women in Construction
Kristina Swallow, Director, Nevada Dept. of Transportation Sponsored by

Break

Panel

Building an Inclusive Workplace

Four panelists will share their stories of embracing what it means to lead inclusively. They have seen their teams blossom, results improve and innovation occur. One decided to hire differently, another to pursue or offer different educational opportunities. One embraced her female characteristics on the jobsite, listening with empathy and an intent to empower. Another practices personal self-awareness, identifying blind spots and biases. One even founded a not-for-profit to inspire the next generation construction professionals. They have unique stories of how they ended up leading inclusively, and all are convinced this is the way to a more collaborative and successful culture.
Panelists
Kelly Bluhm, Managing Director, AON
Amaka Amalu, Managing Director Southeast, WSP
Gordon Lansford, CEO, JE Dunn
Cassy Smith, Superintendent, The Penta Building Group

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Networking Break

Day 1 Closing Session

Networking for Success: What Social Media Tells Us about the Rise of Women Construction Execs

A presentation by University of Maryland researchers will explore the results of a new study into the career paths of male and female construction executives. Prof. Qingbin Cui and PhD Candidate Paul Hickey cross-referenced data gathered from companies ranked in ENR’s Top 400 Contractors list and individual professionals’ LinkedIn profiles to report on defining characteristics of female construction executives. Notably, they found that women held more positions on the way to senior jobs than men and have more advanced degrees. Based on their social media accounts, the women also demonstrate a wider social “bubble” than their male counterparts. Following a presentation of study results, the research team will be joined by women construction leaders for a robust discussion of insights and potential roadmaps to successful careers.
Paul Hickey, PhD Candidate, University of Maryland
Qingbin Cui, Professor, University of Maryland, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Panelists
Kasie Mathena, Vice President, AECOM Hunt
Yvette Stevens, Vice President & Director of Economic Inclusion, Gilbane Building Co.
Patricia Zugibe, CEO, Holt Construction

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Virtual Roundtables

Facilitators will host hour long small-group video meetings for full-conference attendees on various topics of interest. These sessions will be capped at 25 attendees.

4:00-5:00pm ET
Giovanna Brasfield, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Flatiron Construction and
Sasha Reed, Director of Industry Advancement, Procore
Topic: A Seat at the Table: Sustainable Allyship and Advocacy

4:00-5:00pm ET
Joan Zofnass, Practicing Psychotherapist and HR Director, EFCG
Topic: Promoting Post-COVID Employee Wellness in the Workplace

5:00-6:00pm ET
Setareh Setayesh, Project Controls Delivery and Commercial Strategies Lead, Google
Topic: DEI in the Supply Chain: An Owner's View

6:00-7:00pm ET
Lataunja Martin, Construction Facility Project Coordinator, Boss Lady Grind
Topic: Stop Leaving money on the Table: Recruit Tomorrow’s Facility Management Workforce

7:00-8:00pm ET
Loan Ngô, Senior Director of Quality, Mortenson
Topic: Resilient, Empathetic, Authentic Leadership

7:00-8:00pm ET
Natasha Ozybko, Co-founder, President Women of Asphalt and
Sheila Barkevich, North Division HMA Performance Manager, CRH
Topic: Women in the Field

Day 2 Welcome

Janice L. Tuchman, Editor-in-Chief, Engineering News Record

Day 2 Keynote

Improving the Built Environment Through Better Accessibility Design

Keynote Speaker Ileana Rodriguez will share an inspiring message of overcoming personal adversity to represent the U.S. as a swimmer at the Paralympic Games in London and her continuing work as an architect and consultant to build more accessibility into sports and other public facilities.

Ileana Rodriguez, Principal and Owner, I Design Access

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Break

General Session

Changing Work Dynamics

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we work, maybe forever. The negative impact of those changes fell predominantly on women in the workforce. In this panel, we will talk to women from different sectors of the construction industry on how they managed the competing demands of work and home, how they and their employers could have handled those demands differently, and discuss best practices to improve work conditions for women as we return to a more normal working environment.

Moderator
Pam Russell, Deputy Editor, Engineering News-Record
Panelists
Samantha Cristol, Senior Project Engineer, Webcor
Alexandra McManus, CEO, Eyrus
Emily Sullivan, Director of Purchasing, Clark Construction Group
Bridget Nee-Walsh, Welder, Ironworkers Local Union 7

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Break

Panel

Digitizing Diversity: How BIM, Remote Working and Other Tech Creates Opportunities for Inclusivity in Construction

This panel will examine the concurrent shifts towards diversity and digitization in the construction industry. The adoption of technology such as BIM, off-site development and premanufacturing, on-site robotics, remote collaboration tools and virtual/augmented reality can open up new opportunities for inclusion by eliminating physical, age, geographic and gender barriers. How will these technologies help the industry recruit and retain women and other diverse groups to amplify innovation and creativity in the hybrid virtual/real construction environment?

Moderator
Mona Afifi, Assistant Professor, Construction Management, University of Wisconsin - Stout
Panelists
Cathi Hayes, Vice President Portfolio Strategy and Sales Enablement, Hexagon PPM
Nancy Novak, Chief Innovation Officer, Compass Datacenters
Cara Wilczynski, Customer Success Manager| Roadmap, Vision, Strategy, Autodesk Construction Cloud

 

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Networking Break

Day 2 Closing Session

Young Women of Color in Construction: What They Don't Tell You

More women of color are joining construction industry organizations, and are being actively recruited by them, as career opportunities grow and talent needs demand. Even so, those with great skills and industry work experience still find challenges in overcoming culture barriers and stubborn biases—intentional and unintentional. Panelists will share how to combat and defuse difficult jobsite and office encounters or situations; steps to take to insure the focus stays on performance, not appearance; and how to hone your strengths, embrace your differences and thrive in any environment.

Moderator
Jackie Gomez, Executive Director, Hispanic American Construction Industry Association
Panelists
Hephzibah Dadala, Assistant Resident Engineer & Construction Inspector, MNS Engineers; 3rd yr Civil Engineering major, Cal Poly SLO
Alexandria DeFaria, Third year plumber apprentice, Local 1, UA, Long Island City. N.Y.
Nadene Taylor, Associate, Beyer Blinder Belle

Virtual Roundtables

Facilitators will host hour long small-group video meetings for full-conference attendees on various topics of interest. These sessions will be capped at 25 attendees, with the exception of "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: The Critical Importance of Culture".

Rooms hosted by:
4:00-5:00pm ET
Julie Hasiba, Managing Partner and Talent Practice Lead, EFCG and
Kelly Reed, Managing Director, Talent and Culture, Lockton Cos. Topic: Driving Real DEI Change: Challenges and Opportunities

4:00-5:00pm ET
Luda Safransky, Business Development Manager, Balfour Beatty
Topic: The Art of Business Development

4:00-5:00pm ET
Paul Hewins, President & CEO, Skanska US Building and
Amie Kromis, National Director of Vendor Diversity, Skanska USA Building
Topic: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: The Critical Importance of Culture

5:00-6:00pm ET
Eugenio Jaramillo, Adjunct Professor, Florida International University
Topic: Top 5 Soft Skills to Boost Your Career

5:00-6:00pm ET
Erica Gasbarro, Erica Gasbarro, Manager of Delivery Services, ACS
Topic: The Importance of Coaching & Mentorship in our Industry

6:00-7:00 pm ET
Maxinne Leighton, Director of Marketing/Communications & Business Development, Jaros Baum & Bolles
Topic: Reflecting on 2020 and the Pandemic: An Opportunity to Build a More Diverse and Inclusive Profession

7:00-8:00 pm ET
Jenn Thomas, Senior VDC Manager, VIATechnik and
Nathalie Vergoulias, Associate, Peckar & Abramson
Topic: Empowered from Anywhere – Construction Technology in the Digital Age.

Day 3 Welcome

Janice L. Tuchman, Editor-in-Chief, Engineering News Record
Melinda Gentile, Partner, Peckar & Abramson P.C.

Day 3 Keynote

Starting Salaries, Counteroffers and Other Disruptors of Pay Equity

For today’s organizations to compete for top talent, a “one and done” internal pay equity analysis no longer is sufficient to support a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy. Employers who will lead the pack are those who look within existing compliance approaches and examine the use of policies and procedures that lead to inequities along key points of an employee’s lifecycle. Among the most telling areas for industry leaders to consider are starting salaries, counteroffers and promotions. Keynote presenters Elizabeth Walgram and Sharon Hidalgo, seasoned pay equity experts, will discuss pitfalls employers should be wary of when making various pay decisions. During our interactive session, they will share practical approaches for integrating internal pay equity practices into foundational HR processes, in order to build an equitable and fair total rewards program.

Elizabeth Walgram, Senior Consultant, Segal
Sharon Hidalgo, Vice President, New Client Acquisition, Segal

Break

Panel

Building a Zero Tolerance Community Against Racism, Hate, Bias and Harassment

Tragic events continue to plague our country and, sadly, our industry. But change is coming – and has already begun. Five of the leading General Contractors in the U.S. have come together in the last two years to form a coalition whose mission is to create true and lasting change across the construction industry. This group of leaders has created and implemented an intentional and meaningful effort that has impacted many employees for the better – and changed the job site dynamic for good. This group will discuss the coalition’s efforts and how others can drive change on their jobsites, within the company, and throughout the industry.

Moderator
Rodney Pope, Senior Vice President, Employee Relations, Turner Construction Co.

Panelists
Stacée Barkley, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader, DPR Construction
Alondra De Leon, Project Manager, DEI Champion, Co-Chair Hispanic/Latinx ERG, Gilbane
Kamecia Mason, Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, McCarthy Builders
Sydney Wittmier, Project Manager, Mortenson

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Break

Panel

New World: How 2020 + 2021 Changed the Delivery of Legal Services and the Business of the Construction Industry

This panel will discuss the myriad ways the pandemic has impacted both legal and business strategy for construction sector organizations—including changes in the litigation and dispute resolution process and outcomes, and new strategy for post-COVID business, return to work, insurance, technology, remote working—and more.

This program is suitable for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys. Attendees will earn Continuing Legal Education (CLE/MCLE) credits as follows: New York - 1.0 credits; Florida and New Jersey - 1.2 credits; California and Texas - 1.0 credits are pending.

**If you are seeking CLE accreditation in another State, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance as proof of your participation. Please check with your State Bar to ensure you can be accredited through reciprocity.

Moderator
Melinda Gentile, Partner, Peckar & Abramson P.C. kameci

Panelists
Tracy Galimore, Senior Counsel, Chevron
Monique Cardenas, General Counsel, Suffolk Northwest at Suffolk Construction
Melissa Salsano, Senior Counsel, Peckar & Abramson

Networking Break

Closing Keynote & Conference Conclusion

Equity and the Community: An Emerging Construction Imperative

The Biden administration mandate for environmental justice and community equity as core in U.S. infrastructure development, and other catalysts, will profoundly affect how we plan, build and manage projects. Don’t miss this important presentation from a veteran infrastructure management and diversity-equity-inclusion expert on key aspects of these developing priorities and what they mean for AEC participants and clients. How can public and private project development and community fairness not just coexist but actually drive innovation? Diana, whose new position at HNTB illustrates industry commitment to making equity a competitive advantage, will share insights on issues to watch and consider. She has taught the National Transit Institute’s Advanced Environmental Justice seminar for several years at Rutgers University and is set to receive a Certificate of Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University in April.

Diana Mendes, Corporate President, Infrastructure and Mobility Equity, HNTB

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