Libby of Suffolk named industry leader by Construction Dive

Boston, MA This year marks the 25^th annual Women in Construction Week, celebrating women in construction and highlighting their important contributions to the industry. Suffolk Construction project executive Libby Murphy has been selected by Construction Dive as one of just a handful of women across the country to receive its 2023 Construction Champions Award. The award honors women whose excellent performance and dedicated advocacy efforts are inspiring industry-wide change.

While accounting for just 10.9% of the industry’s workforce in 2022, more women are joining the industry each year in a variety of crucial roles. As construction looks to attract and retain more female workers, it is critical to recognize the women of the industry, promote their successes, and spotlight role models driving positive change. 

Murphy was selected from a competitive field as one of six notable leaders in the “Mentor” category, described by Construction Dive as industry change-agents demonstrating exceptional teaching. 

“Suffolk is thrilled by this exciting and well-deserved recognition for Libby,” said John Fish, Chairman & CEO of Suffolk. “Her passion, professionalism and spirit of leadership make her an incredibly valued member of the Suffolk team, and we are proud of her ownership of important initiatives and thoughtful mentorship at Suffolk and beyond.”

In her 15 years in the construction industry, Murphy has led teams on complex and innovative projects across several sectors, most notably healthcare and higher education. She is also committed to the career development of other women in her role as co-captain of Suffolk’s Women Who Build business resource group. This employee-led group promotes a flourishing environment for women in construction through professional development, advocacy and social impact. 

In 2020, Murphy and Women Who Build launched Rebuild the Ratio, Suffolk’s commitment to promoting an equitable future for women in construction. In its founding, Rebuild the Ratio pledged to increase the number of women in Suffolk’s workforce by 10 percent in the next 10 years. Under Murphy’s leadership, Women Who Build entered a 10-year partnership with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA), collaborating with GSEMA to create a Juniors Who Build curriculum to launch this spring. The plan is designed for girls ages 9 through 12 to understand the construction process and learn about the many career paths available to women in the construction industry. As part of the Rebuild the Ratio partnership with GSEMA, the organization plans to bring 10 percent of all GSEMA members through the curriculum.