Construction Industry | Weigand Construction

WIC Week 2026

Since 1998, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has served to support women working in the construction industry. March 1^st-7^th, known as WIC Week, celebrates past, present, and future progress, laying the foundation for the next generation of career aspirants.

Building Better Together

NAWIC hosts a full week of online events, with industry experts sharing their unique experiences through educational seminars, panel discussions, and setting vision for the future.

“Women in Construction Week is more than recognition; it’s about accountability,” says NAWIC President Rita Brown, “our industry, we all know, cannot reach its full potential unless each and every worker feels welcome, safe, respected, and powered up to contribute in tangible ways.”

The Women of WCI

For BIM Coordinator Lea Gamble, her father’s career in the trades had a significant influence on her future trajectory:

“I went to jobsites with my dad growing up; he’s a painter and drywall finisher. When I was younger, I thought that what he did was so cool…I wanted to do something cool like him.” Lea encourages her peers to push through challenges and barries and lean on community support, “Follow your passion. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. You absolutely can! Find a community. Community can get you through anything.”

“Part of the reason why I got into construction is all the opportunity,” mentions Olivia Jablonski-Davies, a Project Engineer at Weigand. “My favorite part about working in the field is being able to take an intricate design on paper and turning it into a physical building, something that people are going to end up using day in and day out.”

For BIM Manager Chloe Hutchins, it was CAD classes in high school that piqued her interest, leading her to pursue a degree in Construction Management at Purdue University:

“What drew me to construction is the constant innovation. Every single job, there’s something new to learn, and there’s always a new challenge to solve…advice I’d give to women in construction is to build those connections, ask questions, and just got for it. There’s room for everybody here and there’s so many different paths to explore.”

As a Safety Manager, Courtney spends ample time in the field, conducting jobsite inspections, leading safety training sessions, and working with project teams and owners to devise safety plans tailored to the individual needs of the job. She enjoys the industry for the variety it offers, “I get a mix of being out here in the field and being in the office and every day is different.”

“Originally I went to school for business administration and landed in the construction industry,” says Tara Leto, a Construction Administrator. On top of managing correspondence for multiple project teams across several different jobsites, Tara also manages WCI’s Award-Winning Employee Wellness Program. “I’ve stayed for 27-plus years. I don’t ever get bored!”

Driving Construction Forward

The women of Weigand operate and lead in a wide array of divisions throughout the company. Working in roles ranging from from Project Management, Preconstruction, Operations, and Safety to Technology, Accounting, Recruiting, Administration, and Business Development, they drive innovation and carve a new path in the world of construction as we know it today.

Highlighting Women in the Industry

Since 1998, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has held a special week of events, highlighting the critical role that women play in both maintaining and pushing the construction industry forward. March 2^nd-6^th, known as WIC Week, is dedicated to recognizing the past, present, and future achievements of women, a worker group historically underrepresented in the construction world. WIC Week both celebrates progress while also continuing to lay the foundation to support the next generation of women aspiring to make their career in the industry.

The Tools to Succeed

NAWIC hosted a full week of online events, with industry experts sharing their unique experiences through educational seminars, panel discussions, and setting vision for the future.

“It’s been a significant opportunity for us to spotlight not only the accomplishments, but also the possibilities for women in the industry.” – Rita Brown, President Elect, NAWIC

Meet the Women of Weigand

We asked a few employees about their experiences as women in construction, why they chose this industry, and any advice they had for peers in the profession:

“Originally I went to school for business administration and landed in the construction industry,” says Tara Leto, a Construction Admin and Manager of WCI’s Award-Winning Employee Wellness Program. “I’ve stayed for 27-plus years…I’ve met some great people…I don’t ever get bored!”

For Chloe Hutchins, Weigand’s Senior BIM Coordinator, it was CAD classes in high school that piqued her interest, leading her to pursue a degree in Construction Management at Purdue University. She noted that emphasizing professional connections were key to her growth. “Any advice I would have for women in construction would just be to ask questions and then make those connections. Talk to people in the field; talk to people in the office; really get to know people. It really helps and goes a long way.”

Courtney Plumley, a Safety Coordinator, said that she enjoys the industry for the variety it offers, “I get a mix of being out here in the field and being in the office and every day is different.”

“Part of the reason why I got into construction is all the opportunity,” mentions Olivia Jablonski-Davies, a Project Engineer at Weigand. “There’s tons of stuff you can get into from project management [and] estimating…we’re always growing and expanding.”

Sami Miller, WCI’s IT Support Analyst, highlighted that composure in difficult circumstances is a fundamental part of personal and professional advancement, “My advice for women who want to get into the industry is to just be confident and assertive. It can be a tough industry, but knowing your worth and standing your ground will earn you the respect that you deserve.”

The women of Weigand operate and lead in a wide array of roles throughout the company. Ranging from Project Management, Preconstruction, and Safety to Technology, Accounting, Recruiting, Administration, and Business Development—they are driving innovation and carving a new path in the world of construction as we know it today.

Tag: Construction Industry

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