April 2024
In the latest episode of the Design-Build Delivers podcast, we sit down with Anna Pridmore, LaDrena Dansby and Barbara Wagner to discuss the impact and future of women in the AEC industry and how design-build is well-situated to support and elevate women. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from the challenges women face in the industry to the unique skills and perspectives they bring.
Our guests share their experiences and insights, highlighting the importance of soft skills, mentorship and advocating for diversity. They also offer advice for young women and non-binary individuals interested in pursuing careers in construction, emphasizing the value of confidence, taking risks and building a productive and supportive network.
Tune in to learn more about the role of women in shaping the future of the construction industry and how DBIA can better support and encourage diversity of thought.
Stay tuned for more from this episode with Design-Build Delivers Bonus Content, longer conversations with our guests. Coming soon!
Guests, in order of appearance:
LaDrena Dansby, PE, DBIA
PM/CM Program Director
AECOM
Anna Pridmore, Ph.D., PE, DBIA
Vice President – Pipeline & Water Infrastructure Solutions, Strategic Market Development
Structural Technologies
Barbara Wagner, LEED AP, FDBIA
Executive Vice President
Clark Construction Group, LLC
00:00 Women in Construction: Laying the Foundation
05:35 Origin Stories with Anna, Barbara and LaDrena
14:22 We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby –– But We’ve Still Got a Long Way to Go
12:37 Bob is Just a Grumpy Old Man: Gender-Based Challenges Still Exist in the Industry
26:06 The Collaborative Nature of Design-Build and the Skills to Succeed
29:20 Okay, but What do we DO about it?: Lessons Learned and Next Steps
34:57 DBIA’s Key Role in Encouraging Diversity of Thought in Construction
Resources
- DBIA Industry Match
- DBIA Position Statement: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
- DBIA E-DEI: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Example Provisions
- Women Breaking Ground (Los Angeles Metro)
- Women in Construction Operations (WiOPS)
- Women in Construction Conference
- Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey – 2023 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Only About 1 in 5 Engineering Degrees Go to Women (UMBC, 2022)
- Explore Registered Apprenticeship (ApprenticeshipUSA)
- STEM Median Wage and Salary Earnings (National Science Foundation)
- Stopping Harassment and Assault (National Science Foundation)
- Gov. Pritzker Announces Federal Grant Supporting Tradeswomen in Illinois (Aug. 23, 2023)
- Why are way more women suddenly working in construction? (The Washington Post, Nov. 11, 2022)
- Women in the Workplace 2023 (McKinsey)
