Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? Construction has a lot to offer in terms of career growth and opportunity, but I knew being the only woman in the room meant I had to know my stuff. I knew I would have to work harder to gain respect. I spent the first years of my career in the field asking questions and watching the trades. I tried to spend as much time as I could learning from whomever would teach me! I felt inspired by the people around me, various tradespeople, project managers and superintendents, who invested their time to ensure I was successful.