[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]In celebration of WIC Week 2017, which officially ends tomorrow, NAWIC LA presented its last event of its “Groundbreaking Women” series yesterday, March 9th. At this event, knowledgeable panel members represented architectural, engineering and construction companies, which was an interesting contrast to Tuesday’s panel, in which the women who participated worked for various departments of our Los Angeles City government. I attended the luncheon along with my Giroux Glass colleague, our contracts manager, Ilse Baeck (shown here, right, with moderator Sophia Cavalli.)
The Culver City luncheon was generously sponsored by construction management company, HDR, Inc., and was attended by about 160 people — including quite a few men! The questions to the panel were skillfully moderated by Sophia Cavalli, who acts as diversity director for Balfour Beatty Construction. When speaking about the importance of women working together, Sophia reminded us all that “if you want to fo fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go with others.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”952″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Pearls of wisdom such as that were offered throughout the discussion, and I’ll summarize here some of those which resounded most strongly with me. Laurie Roden, president of HDR, said one of her own goals is to “shatter the concrete ceilings.” And Laurie is no one to mess around with – for fun, she barrel races at rodeos! – I’m certain she is doing more than her share to acomplish that. Laurie advises that listening is a key skill; she often waits to offer her own opinion at meetings only once she’s heard everyone else speak. Laurie also feels it’s important to take a stance and to stand behind it, even when some people don’t want share your opinion. She says that part of her own personal “brand” is that she is known to be direct, sometimes, blunt: but that there’s always truth behind her opinions. Laurie also expressed her belief that it’s critical to simply do what you say you’re going to do — and is surprised by how many people don’t do that.
Terri Mestas, vice president for AECOM and a program director for NASA, recommends going into every meeting well prepared; no one can argue when you present truthful facts. She also feels strongly that women need to help each other succeed, and that another good piece of advice is to surround yourself with smart people. Terri also believes that it’s not only acceptable to toot your own horn, but that it’s important to take action to be recognized for our own accomplishments. It’s up to each of us to make sure the value of what we bring to the team is understood.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”953″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]From L to R: Sophia Cavalli (Balfour Beatty); Terri Mestas (AECOM/NASA); Laurie Roden (HDR);Michelle Ballard (Turner); Alexandra Torres (WINTER); Donna Clandening (AC Martin)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Donna Clandening, yoga enthusiast and director of marketing and principal for architectural firm, AC Martin, considers work “stretch assignments” to be a wonderful learning opportunity. She also rejects outright any attempt to merely “try your hardest.” Instead as a mentor and parent, Donna strongly urges everyone to “go out and be extraordinary!” Being strong is a good thing, in Donna’s opinion, and suggests that we all learn the best way to assert ourselves, that it’s part of our personal brands. That was a theme repeated by a few panel members. She is also constantly amazed by how many people in our industry are afraid of heights!
Alexandria Torres, executive director for Women in Non-Traditional Employment Roles (“WINTER”), is a mentor and leads career training programs. She believes strongly in the critical role of being a mentor, and reports an impressive success rate in her apprentice programs in which only 2% of their trainees leave the program(s) before their 3-5 years are over.
This photo (below) of men engrossed in listening to the discussion is proof that many men do attend and participate in NAWIC events! But the comment from Michelle Ballard that brought the most laughter was the one that pointed out that “the shortest lines for women’s rooms at any events you’ll ever experience are at construction industry events!”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”954″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]I’d like to take a moment to reflect on and admire the fact that there are enlightened general contractors with whom we, at Giroux Glass, get to work, who hold such actual titles as Sophia Cavalli’s (“diversity director”). Another shining example is the NAWIC LA President, Priscilla Chavez, who also serves as “manager of diversity and inclusion” for PCL Construction Services, Inc. It’s a source of pride to all of us at Giroux Glass, that not only are we a WBE company, but that we have such a strong representation of women in our own company, starting with our chief executive officer/president, on our executive management team and among our project managers and estimators. It’s a pride that permeates our hallways perhaps to a heightened degree during an important time like WIC Week, but it is indeed strongly felt throughout the entire year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”955″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]