Women in Construction Week 2026: Level Up. Build Strong.

Women in Construction Week is a great reason to pause and recognize the incredible women across Haselden who bring skill, leadership, and perspective to work every day. Construction is fast-paced and demanding, and it takes a lot of coordination and expertise to deliver projects the right way.

This year’s WIC Week theme was “Level up. Build strong.” At Haselden, that shows up in a lot of ways, from leading project teams and coordinating critical details to building in the field, supporting subcontractor partners, and strengthening how we work together.

Throughout the week, we asked women across the company to share what brought them into construction, what they enjoy most about their roles, and what advice they would give to others considering the industry. Their answers reflect the range of paths into this work and the impact they’re making across teams, projects, and communities.

The “Why” Behind the Work

For a lot of people, construction clicks because it is tangible. You can point to what you built. You can drive by it years later. You can watch it take shape, day by day.

Jenn Hofmeister, Project Coordinator, put it this way: “I’ve always been drawn to industries where you can see tangible results from your work. Construction is unique because every project leaves a physical impact on a community. I was excited by the opportunity to be a part of a team that brings plans to life and supports something much bigger than any one individual.”

That same sense of progress and pride came through in Erika Estrada’s response. As a Carpenter, she gets to watch the work move from concept to reality firsthand: “My favorite part of my job is seeing how a project goes from being just blueprints to becoming an actual structure. I enjoy collaborating with the team and knowing that my work contributes to building something that will have a lasting impact on the community.”

And for Jami Lorenz, Business Developer of Haselden Montana Constructors, the reward is both personal and long-lasting: “I love being able to see the results of my work, to drive by a building that I helped bring into the world for my community, and the amazing relationships I built with the entire design and ownership team as a result. What an incredible profession to be in!”

The Details That Keep Projects Moving

Construction is full of moving parts, and not all of them are visible from the outside. While a job site might be what most people picture, successful projects rely on planning, coordination, compliance, risk management, and communication behind the scenes, every single day.

Carol Austin, Sr. Prequalification Coordinator, shared the purpose behind her role: “My role is to assist all subcontractors in navigating through our prequalification process to ensure we’re mitigating safety and financial risks prior to them starting on a project.”

Jenn Hofmeister spoke to the kind of ongoing coordination most people never get a glimpse of: “What people don’t see is the level of detail and follow-up required to keep everything aligned. There’s constant problem-solving to remove roadblocks before they impact or delay a contract.”

And Natasha Cook, Project Coordinator, described what accomplishment looks like in a role where wins are constant, even if they are not always obvious to others: “These accomplishments occur daily. As a result, I leave work knowing that my contributions meaningfully support both my team and the projects I manage.”

Milestones That Stick With You

Construction careers are full of moments that stick with you, not always the biggest headlines, but the ones that mark growth, trust, and progress. We asked women at Haselden about milestones and memorable moments from their careers:

“Passing a fire marshal inspection on the “trickiest” floor to finish during punch. I was responsible for tracking punch progress on a floor that had 40 units that required multiple re-inspections prior to getting to my plate. I redirected the finish trades to reprioritize this floor and was able to pass the fire marshal inspection on my first try, third try overall.” -Alyssa Goplen, Sr. Project Engineer

“I served as the project lead during preconstruction, which was a major milestone in my career. At the time, I wasn’t yet a Senior Estimator, but I was trusted with leading the estimating efforts and guiding the team through multiple iterations. That trust, responsibility, and opportunity to step into leadership is something I’ll always remember and cherish. It reinforced for me how powerful it is when leaders recognize potential and create opportunities for others to grow.” -Paige Parrottino, Sr. Estimator

“Meeker High School has a special place in my heart. I was the senior Project Engineer on the project and worked with a team of great people. Meeker was a great project because of a lot of factors, but mainly due to the huge community support that the project had. Everyone in town was incredibly excited to see a new school for their kids and wanted to be involved – be it volunteering, fundraising, or just supporting the team. The community welcomed us with open arms, and I made a number of long-term friendships with the staff of the school over the course of the project. Since I was the only woman on site, many of the teaching staff would invite me to their teacher events, so I could meet other people in the community and I’m still friends with much of the team and the staff to this day. We had a great team all around and not only built a beautiful building but built lasting relationships and a lasting community impact in the process.” -Tasha Haselden, Project Manager

Leveling Up at Haselden

“Leveling up” can look like a lot of things. It can mean stepping into leadership, learning a new part of the business, being trusted with bigger responsibilities, or being supported through a season of life while still growing professionally.

Ashley Vesely, Preconstruction Manager, shared a moment of support that made a lasting difference: “Haselden created a remote position where I could continue leading projects and serving clients. I appreciate the trust they placed in me and the willingness to support my family.”

Several women also pointed to the impact of Haselden’s Lean In group and the broader culture of encouragement and investment in women’s growth. Ashley described what that support looks like in practice: “Haselden supports its women in so many ways! Some of those include: the Lean-In Women’s Group, executive-level partners, coaching & leadership opportunities, flexible PTO & maternity leave benefits, and sponsorship of women-focused events. The women within the organization feel empowered and encouraged.”

Jen Hubbard, Preconstruction Manager, shared how her experience in Lean In helped shape her understanding of mentorship and leadership: “Serving as both the Lean-In Chair and Co-Chair has given me a clear understanding of how I can best support other women while also revealing the broader gaps that still exist for women in our industry.”

What Support Looks Like at Haselden

One of the most meaningful themes that came through was the importance of being seen, included, and supported, not with big gestures, but with consistent actions that build trust over time.

Reseena Cowan, Sr. Project Coordinator, said it perfectly: “Being an ally can be as simple as making sure women are invited into conversations where decisions are made, asking for their input, and backing them up when they speak. Those small, consistent actions build confidence, open doors, and create a culture where women don’t have to fight to belong — they simply do.”

And Kris Debler, Senior Estimator, highlighted what strong mentorship looks like in construction, beyond technical expertise: “A good mentor in construction is someone who builds skills in their team, earns trust, and is not just someone who knows the trade. The best ones balance technical skills with strong and earnest leadership.”

Even simple advice can carry a lot of weight when you are building confidence in a new space. Kelsey Alden, HRIS Manager, offered a reminder that applies to anyone early in their career: “Never be afraid to ask questions… It helps build relationships and trust with your team!”

What Keeps People Here

A lot of people stay in construction for the same reasons that brought them in: you keep learning, you build real relationships, and you can feel your work moving projects forward. We asked a few women what keeps them coming back, and their answers capture that mix of growth, team, and everyday motivation:

“I am always excited to learn more about the construction industry at Haselden. I didn’t have a background in construction when I joined Haselden, so there is always something new for me to learn. Having a deeper understanding of preconstruction, scheduling, or quality control also helps me create relevant and detailed write-ups for our proposals, which help us win work!” -Devon Schmitt, Senior Proposal Coordinator

“One of the things that catches my attention or my (milestone) is to see how the company makes us feel part of them and motivates us to be better and with a sense of belonging in our work.” -Sandra Sanchez, Laborer

“Learning new things, meeting new people, and honestly, what keeps me coming back is that I need to work to cover my expenses!” -Maira Saenz, Dry Wall Finisher

For Women Considering Construction

Construction has room for so many different strengths, personalities, and paths. The women who responded to our questions made it clear that the industry is changing, and the opportunities are real.

Natasha Cook shared this perspective: “The construction industry is no longer an exclusive, male-dominated field… For individuals who value consistency, attention to detail, and the opportunity to learn something new each day, construction can offer a highly rewarding career path.”

And Toya Lewis, Senior Project Account, summed up one of the best parts of this work: you never stop learning. “I still learn something new every single day… keep your options open and take every opportunity for personal and professional growth that is afforded to you.”

Building Strong, Together

Women in Construction Week is a celebration as well as a reminder of what progress looks like in real life: more women on teams, more women in leadership, and more women bringing their expertise and perspective to every part of the process.

Killion Hunn, Project Estimator, shared: “I am no longer the only woman in the room or in my department. Both the women and men whom I work with sincerely support my growth and development.”

To the women at Haselden, thank you. Your work shows up in the places people notice and in the details they never see, but that make projects run the way they should. We appreciate the skill, leadership, and care you bring to our teams every day. During Women in Construction Week and throughout the year, we’re proud to recognize the women helping Haselden level up and build strong.

Want to be part of a team that’s building strong and making space for more voices in construction? Explore career opportunities at Haselden and see how you can grow your path here.