Boston, MA The Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts (AGC MA) named the winners of the 2023 BWiC (Building Women in Construction) Inspire Awards, designed to recognize and celebrate women in construction who demonstrate leadership, generosity, innovation, and unwavering commitment to their career, colleagues, and industry.

“Women play essential roles all across the Massachusetts construction industry,” said John Ferrante, CEO of AGC MA. “The BWiC Inspire Awards pay tribute to their invaluable, wide-ranging, and growing contributions, and we congratulate this year’s exceptional winners.”

Five BWiC Inspire Awards were presented on March 9 at the Westin Copley Hotel. Awards were presented in the categories of Mentor (for those who have worked to inspire, nurture, and educate the next generation), Emerging Leader (for ‘those to watch’ – innovators and stand-out performers), Rising Star (for those who are already making their mark on the industry as they continue to grow in their profession), Trades Woman (for those who demonstrate exceptional craft and a commitment to developing it further), and Young Achiever (for a noteworthy graduating college senior with a concentration in construction management). The ceremony was hosted by Catherine Walsh, associate vice president in facilities management, Northeastern University. 

The BWiC Inspire Awards are peer nominated and the final selection process is managed by a team of nine judges with commercial construction experience. The winners of the 2023 BWiC Inspire Awards are:

• BWiC Mentor of the Year, Linda Shaughnessy (posthumously), compliance officer with Walsh Brothers, Inc.;

• BWiC Emerging Leader of the Year, Jess Baccari, project manager  with Siena Construction Corp.;

• BWiC Rising Star of the Year, Stephanie Crepeau, superintendent  with BOND Building Construction;

• BWiC Young Achiever, Chaise Kakuk of Wentworth Institute of Technology;

• BWiC Tradeswoman of the Year, Jenaya Nelson, laborer with Local 223.