Thank you to the women of GH Phipps–for all you have done to build our 70 years of company success.
Women in Construction Week is dedicated to recognizing and promoting the role of females in the construction industry. The first full week in March–the 5th through the 11th of this year–is the dedicated time to highlight individual achievements and the overall success of the women working in the built environment.
At GH Phipps, we would like to take the time to celebrate all women in our industry. We would also like to express our appreciation to the females who have contributed to the past, present, and future of GH Phipps. We celebrate the women who pioneered a way for others, those who have helped make our industry a safe, inclusive workplace for all. In honor of this year’s celebration and to better understand the individual impacts of working as a female in construction, we interviewed eight of our female employees.
What does it mean to you to be a Woman in Construction?
For me, it means independence. I won’t say I am on the same level as the men but more like helping to open our own path in this word and finding the ways that work for us to get the same results.
What do you like about working at GH Phipps?
Phipps has helped me learn so much about concrete, starting projects from the ground up and seeing them bloom into the whole finished product. They have allowed me to see things from a superintendent’s eyes and learn and grow my skills every day.
What has been the most impactful thing on your career as a Woman in Construction? I can’t pinpoint one thing because I was more interior. Concrete was something new to me that I had to learn from the bottom, I felt like a kindergartener learning my numbers. Everything was a learning experience for me, and I loved it. I am 3 years in with Phipps as a Concrete Laborer Foreman and I love my job. I love the people I work with and the duties they have allowed me to take on.
What has been the most impactful thing on your career as a Woman in Construction?
Lorena Saucedo
Concrete Laborer Foreman
What does it mean to you to be a Woman in Construction?
It’s empowering, a lot of women have come up to me while on the jobsites stating it’s so nice to see a female in this role, just as capable as the men. Such an empowering feeling to have other women come and tell you this. It’s amazing knowing I can make a difference.
What do you like about working at GHP?
I really love the people I work with. Throughout all these years, the company has had lot of changes, but it still feels like family. You don’t really get that anymore at other companies, so it feels good to be appreciated.
What has been the most impactful thing on your career as a Woman in Construction?
Room to grow, and the pay is amazing, I never thought I would be making this type of money in construction. I love working with my hands, the office work is not for me, lol. It is a blessing to be able to do what I love and get paid for it and be able to give my kids a great life.
Crystal DeDios
Mainline Carpenter Foreman
What does it mean to you to be a Woman in Construction? To me it means, any woman can do what a man does, we are capable of doing the same duty and grow in other aspects of the field.
What do you like about working at GH Phipps? I love working here because of everyone is very accessible, they hear you if you have any issues. They do not make you feel less than a man because we are a smaller population. They allow you to work the way we work, without much pressure, and we respond to this with giving our best to them. They allow for us to make time needed for any family matter no questions asked. What has been the most impactful thing on your career as a Woman in Construction? I would say my mindset. When I was looking for work and they told me construction would be good, I never thought I was capable of doing such work as I always looked at construction as a man’s world. Now that I have been here gong on 4-5 years with Phipps and 8 years in the industry, it has opened my eyes to other aspects of construction and shown me I can do anything I put my mind to!
Melanie Centeno
Laborer
What does it mean to you to be a Woman in Construction? In my case, I always loved working hard jobs instead of working delicate jobs. I like doing a man’s job I never like waiting for one to come and do it for me, I would rather learn and do it myself. What do you like about working at GH Phipps? What I love the most is that I always got great bosses who are very flexible when someone needs a rest day or family emergency. They are very compassionate and understanding no matter how busy we are on the project. What has been the most impactful thing on your career as a Woman in Construction? I would say especially working at Phipps, superintendents are very trusting. They trust you do the job and not try to hold your hand throughout because you are a woman. They treat you like any other man. For example, I was working with Ernie, he asked me if I wanted to learn something new. He taught me once and allowed me to go try it. Phipps has been the biggest impact in my career because of the doors they are always willing to open for their employees.
Teresa Ramos
Laborer
What does it mean to you to be a Woman in Construction?
It feels like breaking barriers as there are not a lot of women in construction. What do you like about working at GH Phipps?
I like the culture and inclusiveness. I like that I am not treated any different being a woman. I like how involved everyone is in training and everyday tasks. What has been the most impactful thing on your career as a Woman in Construction?
The most impactful thing in my career, as a Woman in Construction, is being part of a growing presence of women in the industry. I take pride in having the opportunity to provide ideas and results that contribute to the successful completion of structures that will ultimately become part of a community for years to come.
Brandee Risch
Precon Manager/Estimator
What does it mean to you to be a Woman in Construction?
Breaking the mold, pushing the boundaries. Paving a new path for other women in construction.
What do you like about working at GH Phipps?
Comradery, support from teammates and leaders/upper management. The opportunities I have been given.
What has been the most impactful thing on your career as a Woman in Construction?
The unwavering support of team members, and the respect given and treated as an equal.
Tanya Nurkiewicz
Project Manager
What does it mean to you to be a Woman in Construction?
Big responsibility, not many have come before us. I try to be a face that younger women can look up to and see themselves in that role.
What do you like about working at GHP?
I really like the culture. Everyone is willing to help and collaborate. It has been a very welcoming culture.
What has been the most impactful thing on your career as a Woman in Construction?
Having people/bosses in my corner supporting me, showing me that there are no boundaries that I can’t cross. Bosses have showed me that I can be a superintendent and pushed me into the field and set me on the path to be a superintendent.
Jenna Carosio
Superintendent
What does it mean to you to be a Woman in Construction?
It feels more impactful on a relationship base. It feels like a unique time to be in construction, adding a unique perspective to construction and adding a new dynamic to the industry. What do you like about working at GHP?
Working with other females in the same industry. It’s unique with being in Special Projects, problem solving daily. The support of others and the willingness of everyone to help with any questions. What has been the most impactful thing on your career as a Woman in Construction?
Meeting other women in the industry. In school, other women speaking and mentoring other women coming into the industry. Being able to be yourself and having a community of women who support each other.
McKenna O'Donnell
Project Engineer I