Women in Construction Week 2020

The GHT Team is a talented group of people with a drive to innovate, a passion for learning more and a desire to collaborate. Our people are excited to create new solutions in engineering that save energy and provide sustainable places to work, learn, live and connect.

Each year, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) hosts Women in Construction Week, typically held on the first week of March to coincide with International Women’s Day. We are proud to celebrate the strong women who work at GHT and join our industry colleagues in celebrating #WICWeek.

Check out the interviews below with some of our great team members who are paving the way as #WomenInConstruction!

Megan Lubina, PE, LEED AP | Project Manager 

How long have you worked in the AEC industry?                                                                                                                                                           I’ve been working as a Mechanical Engineer in the industry for 12 years now. 

What is it like being a woman in the industry?                                                                                                                                                                 It definitely has its challenges, working in a male dominated field, but I enjoy what I do and it is very rewarding being able to set the tone for future women in the construction industry. 

What is one piece of advice you’d give to a woman interested in working in construction?                                                              

Don’t be afraid to stand your ground and be confident in what you do. 

Tell us one fun fact about yourself:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I recently took my morning commute on foot, running 18 miles to the office. 

 

 

Shannon Strong | Project Manager 

How long have you worked in the AEC industry?                                                                                                                                                       I’ve been working in the industry for about 20 years.      

What is it like being a woman in the industry?                                                                                                                                                                   Frankly, it can be tough and you can often feel invisible, but over the years I have seen great improvement and acceptance in the industry along with increased roles with wider diversity for women.      

What is one piece of advice you’d give to a woman interested in working in construction?                                                                

Don’t give up – if this is a career you want to pursue, don’t let other people’s views dissuade you from pursuing this industry.

Tell us one fun fact about yourself:                                                                                                       

 I am a classically trained pianist; I studied piano for about 20 years. 

 

 

Tyra Barnes | Administrative Assistant 

How long have you worked in the AEC industry?                                                                                                                                                          I’ve been working in the AEC industry for almost 2 years.     

What is it like being a woman in the industry?                                                                                                                                                            Being a woman in the AEC industry is challenging at times, but it is a good challenge. It’s the type that forces you to learn more about your strengths and discover ways to highlight and measure your goals and accomplishments. 

What is one piece of advice you’d give to a woman interested in working in construction?                                                                   

Being a woman in the AEC industry is challenging at times, but it is a good challenge. It’s the type that forces you to learn more about your strengths and discover ways to highlight and measure your goals and accomplishments.

Tell us one fun fact about yourself:   

 One fun fact about myself is that I’m currently learning photography.

 

 

Kristen Heaton, EIT | Plumbing Designer 

How long have you worked in the AEC industry?                           

9 months – I started working at GHT in June of 2019.   

What is it like being a woman in the industry?                                                                                                                                                          Being in the AEC industry allows me access to a network filled with learning opportunities, including occasions to gain knowledge from other women across multiple experience levels and perspectives.           

What is one piece of advice you’d give to a woman interested in working in construction?                                                              

Take every opportunity to ask questions and learn. Your questions may offer a novel perspective for achieving a task or furthering a design. 

Tell us one fun fact about yourself:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 I am the first person in my family to study and become an engineer. 

Kristine Barr, CDT | Director of Project Management and Administration

How long have you worked in the AEC industry?   

 I’ve worked in the AEC industry for more than 30 years.

 What is it like being a woman in the industry?   

It is wonderful being a part of an industry where the number of women has increased so much over time and I continue to learn so much from the women I work with                                                            

 What is one piece of advice you’d give to a woman interested in working in construction? 

Find your tribe. Work with a firm that values you and what you bring to the team.

Tell us one fun fact about yourself:

I collect miniature toilets to honor our plumbing designers. Check out my collection at #toilettuesday