CAF Women in Construction

Name: Melody Weisberg Title: Office Manager / Accounts Payable Company: Construction Advancement Foundation Who/ What inspires you? I inspire myself when I push past my own limits and accomplish things I didn’t think I could or thought were possible. It’s those small moments of growth that keep me moving forward. What do you love most about your job? I love that I get to experience various challenges, and even though I do have some of the same tasks to do every month, I also have opportunities to learn something new or participate in activities that I normally wouldn’t be able to if I were not working for such a great company. I have been with CAF for over 20 years and wouldn’t have it any other way, I love where I work and am lucky to be able to say that. I also love that I get to be a part of planning events and parties, it’s the best feeling when you can provide a good time to others, and then hear all the positive feedback afterwards. How do you define success? Success to me is being a little better today than I was yesterday – whether that’s learning something new, improving a skill, or just becoming more self-aware. What is the biggest career challenge you have had to overcome? While I haven't encountered one major career challenge, I believe the smaller, ongoing challenges I face have been the most impactful for my growth. For example, there are always situations that require me to adapt quickly, whether it’s learning new skills or stepping outside my comfort zone in order to take on new responsibilities. I think what’s most important is how I’ve embraced these opportunities for growth, as they’ve taught me to stay adaptable and more confident in handling whatever comes next. A Fun Fact or Quote that defines you. A fun fact about me is that I love horror movies, they are by far my favorite, and whenever a new one comes out in the movie theaters, I make sure to go see it. I have watched horror movies since I was little and still can’t get enough of them.

Photo Name – Jennifer Wilk Title – Project Manager / Estimator Company – Gough, Inc. ? Who/ What inspires you? My family and coworkers. My family inspires me always with their constant support and encouragement. My coworkers inspire me to help make Gough, Inc. a place they are proud to have a career at and enjoy what they do. What do you love most about your job?? I love that work is always different and I learn something new every day, whether it is new technology or a new challenge to overcome. How do you define success? Being happy and fulfilled with your life. What is the biggest career challenge you have had to overcome?? Believing in myself and having the confidence to work in construction. When I first got into construction, I was working alongside people who have been in it for 20, 30, 40+ years and they seem to know everything or have a solution to every problem. After awhile of being nervous about speaking up and saying thinking I would say something idiotic, I realized that was the only way you learn. You need to have the confidence to ask questions, reach out for help, make mistakes, fail, and get up and do it again. Everybody is human and everybody is constantly learning something new, it's not just you. A Fun Fact or Quote that defines you. “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”?

As we wrap up our celebration of WIC Week, we are excited to honor the final two members of our exceptional Women in Construction committee, Jennifer Wilk of Gough, Inc. and Melody Weisberg of Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF). Their passion and contributions have been vital in driving our initiatives and empowering women across the industry. We're delighted to have them as part of our Women in Construction Committee!

Margie Hofmann Vice President Grimmer Construction, Inc. Who/ What inspires you?? I draw inspiration from a wide range of people and experiences throughout my life, but the constant thread is activities and actions that are result-driven and create meaningful impact—they fuel my passion and drive. ? What do you love most about your job? What I love most about my job is being part of a second-generation legacy; having had a front-row seat to watch what my father started continue to grow, and getting to contribute to that every day. We’ve become the premier NWI company in our field because we surround ourselves with the best and brightest, while taking on complex projects and being part of that excellence is incredibly rewarding. ? How do you define success?? For me, success is defined by bringing someone new into the industry and helping them grow—guiding them as they find their footing, sharing the knowledge and insights I’ve gained, and watching them thrive as a result of my support. There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing someone I’ve mentored build their own path and contribute to our shared mission. ? What is the biggest career challenge you have had to overcome? One of the biggest career challenges I’ve had to overcome is navigating my place in the next level of leadership—a role that demands resilience and confidence. My father raised me in construction, instilling in me a strong work ethic, while my mother said, ‘Above all else, be a lady,’ teaching me dignity and composure. Finding the balance between those two worlds—leading with strength in a tough industry while staying true to that refined identity—has been a journey, but it’s shaped me into the leader I am today. ? A Fun Fact or Quote that defines you. Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts—it’s the mindset that keeps me pushing forward, which is why I’m currently training for the St. Louis Half Marathon, embracing the challenge one step at a time.

Today, we're thrilled to be recognizing another member of our Women in Construction committee in honor of WIC Week, Margie Hofmann of Grimmer Construction. Her consistent dedication, energy, and relentless work ethic in the industry are truly motivating. We’re privileged to have her on our Women in Construction Committee!

Name: Erin Deal Title: Project Manager Company: Berglund Construction ? Who/ What inspires you? The most inspirational person throughout my life has been my Aunt. It’s simple…she is a hard worker, optimistic, and has a positive outlook on life. She has always been caring and supportive, believing in me even when I doubted myself, and encouraging me to be persistent and keeps seeking me to do my best. What do you love most about your job? Not a single day is ever the same and there are so many moving parts. One day you are in the office and the next day you are in the field. One day you are working with the tradespeople trying to resolve an issue regarding a structural defect and the next day you are working on putting together an estimate for extra work that got added to the scope of the project. A job in construction is always evolving and changing. How do you define success? Besides the basics in construction such as safety, quality, budget, schedule, and client satisfaction, “success” is overcoming your challenges. Set realistic goals for yourself that you can achieve and work towards them. Once you reach your goals, be sure to take the time to recognize and celebrate. What is the biggest career challenge you have had to overcome? I’ve faced challenges in the construction industry as a female, particularly when it comes to earning the trust and respect of male colleagues who might question my expertise or ability. Over time, I’ve had to prove myself and demonstrate that I’m fully capable of handling the demands of the job. A Fun Fact or Quote that defines you. I love to travel.?

Name: Lynda Niaves Title: Executive Assistant Company: Hasse Construction Company, Inc. ? Who/ What inspires you?? My dad is my biggest inspiration.?He is the youngest of 13 children from a single migrant farmer father, former Marine, VietNam Vet, Double Amputee (both legs) and he was all of that BEFORE he married my mother and created our family.?He went on to get a Bachelor and Masters degree so he could counsel veteran’s until his retirement.?I am in awe of him every day on how he accomplished so much against so much adversity. What do you love most about your job? I love that it’s never the same.?Every day is something new.?A new challenge, a new way to be creative, a new way to push myself.?I love that I am fortunate enough to love my job.?Not everyone has that.?I never feel like I’m settling or that I need to be or do something different. How do you define success??? Success in my professional life, for me, is meeting, achieving and surpassing goals set for me by others as well as myself. What is the biggest career challenge you have had to overcome?? I started with Hasse Construction when I was only 22.?I’ve been here 28 years.?The biggest challenge I have is making sure I am still evolving in my role.?I can get comfortable and I need to try and make myself “uncomfortable”.?Joining this committee was part of that for me.?I’ve just recently started expressing my interest in joining committees and chambers that would allow me to represent our company.?Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been interested in doing something like this for a while, just never voiced my interest.?It is so nice being able to be part of something this important and then to realize I have something to offer.?I should have stepped out of my comfort zone sooner. A Fun Fact or Quote that defines you.?? I am the most extroverted introvert you might meet.?No one ever believes me but it’s true.

Today, we're thrilled to be recognizing two more amazing members of our Women in Construction committee in honor of WIC Week, Lynda Niaves of Hasse Construction and Erin Deal of Berglund Construction?? Their steadfast dedication, enthusiasm, and relentless hard work in the industry are nothing short of inspiring. They lead with excellence, challenging norms and breaking down barriers in construction. We're honored to have them as part of our Women in Construction Committee! ??♀???

Name: Allie Komarowski Title: HR Area Partner Company: Milestone Contractors Who/ What inspires you? My Daughter Ava- I want to be the best version and role model for my daughter so she knows that she can grow up to be a strong woman, just like me. What do you love most about your job? The people. Every day it’s about being in and around our people to make sure they have what they need in order to be successful. When they are successful, then our company is as well. How do you define success? To me success is about having the courage, love, and determination to continually push my limits and strive to achieve the goals I set for myself. Once I reach a goal, it’s about pushing myself to achieve that next step that will set me apart. What is the biggest career challenge you have had to overcome? I’ve changed career pathways several times over the course of my adult life. I moved from the world of education, to retail, to now Road Construction. In doing so, it was hard to find the right company who would take a chance and bet on me as well as find the right company that felt like it was the right environment to continue to grow in my new skill sets. A Quote I Live By: You are never given something that you weren’t meant to overcome. Life is about taking on each of those challenges. “It’s not your circumstance that determines your worth; it’s how you rise from the ashes after everything burns.” Emily McIntire

Name: Lyndie Walton Title: Vice President Company: Continental Electric Company Inc. Who/ What inspires you? My family and employees inspire me every day. Being a family owned business, family ties are throughout my entire career. I am motivated by our successes and want to continue to build the dream behind Continental Electric. My employees keep me driven and encourage growth daily. I am passionate about my career and the employees we have, without them Continental would not be what it is today. What do you love most about your job? I love the industry. The career field I am working in is full of diversity and character. Whether I am on a jobsite or in the office, I am continuously presented with room for growth. I have been lucky to meet individuals in various fields and establish relationships that would not have been possible if I were not a part of this industry. How do you define success? Success is the ability to grow in your current environment. What is the biggest career challenge you have had to overcome? The biggest career challenge I have faced so far is advocating for myself. Today, I do not struggle with this challenge nearly as much as I did coming into this field but it took time. My name is better recognized, my knowledge has been checked, and I have proven to many that I too can be a team player. I did not come into this career as someone who “gets it” and I was okay with that. I have worked hard to educate myself though college and on the job experiences to get where I am today. I will continue to do all I can to show the industry my commitment to the job. A Fun Fact or Quote that defines you. “The secret of getting ahead is getting started” – Sally Berger