2026 Women in CRE: Suellen Heidorn, Lehmann Construction Inc.

 

 

What professional accomplishment or experience are you especially proud of?
One of my proudest accomplishments has been growing alongside Lehmann Construction. I entered the construction industry with a lot to learn and worked my way through estimating, project management, operations, and business development. Today, seeing the company take on larger and more complex projects, while creating opportunities for our team and building lasting relationships with our clients, makes the journey especially meaningful to me.

What advice or perspective would you share with women building their careers in commercial real estate?
Don’t be afraid to take up space in the room, ask questions, and trust what you bring to the table. Construction is still a male-dominated industry, and there may be times when you feel you have to prove yourself. Let your work, preparation, and consistency speak for you. Build relationships, keep learning, and don’t wait until you feel completely ready to pursue the next opportunity. Confidence often comes after you take the step, not before.

What are you most excited about in your work or the commercial real estate industry right now?
I’m excited about the continued growth of Lehmann Construction and the opportunity to take on larger, more complex projects while maintaining the quality and personal relationships that helped us grow. I’m also excited to see more women building careers and taking leadership roles in construction. There is so much opportunity in this industry, and I look forward to continuing to grow, learn, and contribute to the projects shaping our communities.

What has helped shape the way you approach your work and career?
I’ve learned that you don’t have to know everything before taking on a new challenge, you have to be willing to learn. I entered construction without a traditional path into the industry and learned by asking questions, studying the details, listening to people with more experience, and not being afraid to figure things out. That mindset still shapes how I approach my work today: stay curious, work hard, build strong relationships, and never stop learning.