NAWIC Baltimore Chapter #135

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Breaking Barriers, Building Solutions: A Recap of The Power of She Panel Last night, NAWIC Baltimore and SMPS Maryland came together for a powerful and solution-focused conversation at The Power of She panel. Our NAWIC Baltimore President, Ambre Schaffer, had the honor of moderating a discussion that explored the challenges women face in AEC and, more importantly, the solutions we can implement to drive real change. From navigating biases and advocating for ourselves to fostering mentorship and pushing for industry-wide accountability, our panelists shared candid experiences and actionable insights: ?? Gaining Credibility – Confidence, expertise, and authentic connections are key to establishing trust in male-dominated spaces. ?? Self-Advocacy – Know your worth, document your achievements, and push for transparency in salary and leadership opportunities. ?? Mentorship & Sponsorship – Companies must move beyond advice-giving and create career-changing opportunities for women. ?? The Power of Associations – Collaboration within industry organizations like NAWIC and SMPS fosters a stronger, more inclusive workforce. This conversation wasn’t just about identifying barriers—it was about dismantling them. We discussed the shared responsibility of industry leaders and male allies in advocating for gender equity, the impact of workforce development initiatives, and how we can continue to push for policies and cultural shifts that create lasting impact. A huge thank you to our panelists for their transparency, wisdom, and leadership. And to our event partners at SMPS Maryland, we are grateful for your collaboration in continuing this important work. #NAWICBaltimore #SMPS #ThePowerOfShe #WomenInConstruction #AEC #Leadership #Mentorship #BreakingBarriers

?? Exciting News! ?? Early bird registration for the NAWIC Annual Conference opens on April 1! Don’t miss out on the chance to connect, learn, and grow with industry leaders. ?? Stay up to date and be the first to register by visiting NAWIC’s website and checking out the conference page. See you there! ?? https://ow.ly/UrCn50VfVUS #NAWIC2025 #AnnualConference #WomenInConstruction #EarlyBirdRegistration

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER for The Power of She This Tuesday! Did you know that women make up only 10% of the construction industry workforce? Despite this, they are making a significant?impact - leading projects, driving innovation, and shaping the built environment in powerful ways.?However, barriers still exist, and creating opportunities for women to grow and lead in the A/E/C industry is more important than ever. As we continue the momentum from Women in Construction Week, International Women’s Day, and Women’s History Month, SMPS Maryland is proud to collaborate with NAWIC Baltimore Chapter #135#135#135 for an insightful panel on championing women in the A/E/C industry.?This engaging conversation will feature women from diverse backgrounds, roles, and career stages to share their experiences navigating challenges, breaking barriers, and paving the way for future generations. There's only a few spots left! Don't?miss this opportunity to join a powerful?conversation that will inspire, educate, and empower: https://buff.ly/4ZsBsCO Sam Meyerhoff Lisa Tenley Alexandra Jones Ambre Schaffer Katie McInnes Quinn Evans Plano-Coudon Consigli Construction Co., Inc. Gray & Son Inc. ABC Greater Baltimore

We were all over Maryland, DC, and NoVa today! Did you see us? ?? To wrap up #WICWeek, we joined forces with NAWIC Baltimore Chapter #135 and IEC Chesapeake to speak at several schools and companies about career pathways in the built environment. Stay tuned for more stories on the success of this year’s #WomenInConstruction celebrations!

The last two weeks have been a WHIRLWIND!! I don’t have the bandwidth to do a post for each event, but here are the highlights: - I participated as a mentor for the first time with the Baltimore Business Journal’s Mentoring Monday. I got to see some old friends, make some new ones, and am excited about continuing those connections! - I flew to Vegas and presented at the Associated Builders and Contractors National Convention on Engaging Gen Z: the Toolbelt Generation to a packed room! - Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation (MCCEI) partnered with Rita B. and her Build Initiative/Building Impact for the first ever Maryland Tradeswomen Summit. We SOLD OUT the event at Howard Community College (thanks, Minah Woo) with an amazing lineup of speakers- Portia Wu, Leah Rambo, Vicki O'Leary, Amy Roosa, Cristina Barillas-McEntee, Melissa R Wells, Jessica Murphy, Shana Opdyke-Carroll, PE, LEED AP BDC, Marianne Cloeren, Devin (Cudmore) Henry, CSHO, Kathy Lazas Humm, MS HR, Amber Mae Nicholls, GSP., to name just a few!! And then there was WIC Week!! - an awesome session at Harkins Builders, Inc. with Stacy Cassio - WIC Rock with ABC Greater Baltimore at the Aggtrans with NAWIC Baltimore Chapter #135 - MCCEI hosted coffee & convo complete with mini pancakes provided by former colleague Stacy Otis - morning in Annapolis at the State House and recognition by Delagate Regina T. Boyce, MPA for WIC Week - a trip to Helix Electric with Paula Bahler & IEC Chesapeake to talk to their amazing women in construction about leading with purpose and making an impact on the industry! I hope all of you had an AMAZING WIC Week!! I need a nap ??

?? Continuing the Momentum After Women in Construction Week! ?? NAWIC Baltimore is thrilled to partner with SMPS Maryland for an empowering panel discussion on what it truly means to champion women in the A/E/C industry. This is more than just a conversation—it’s a movement to foster inclusion, mentorship, and leadership for women at all career stages. ?? What to Expect: ?? Candid insights from women who have navigated challenges and broken barriers ?? Strategies for self-advocacy and uplifting female colleagues ?? How to build trust and respect in a male-dominated industry ?? The impact of mentorship, sponsorship, and allyship ?? Meet Our Incredible Panelists: ?? Alexandra Jones – Marketing Coordinator, Quinn Evans ?? Lisa Tenley – VP of People & Communication, Plano-Coudon ?? Katie McInnes – EVP, Gray & Son Inc. ?? Sam Meyerhoff – Project Executive, Consigli Construction Co., Inc. Moderated by Ambre Schaffer, NAWIC Baltimore President & Director of Membership at ABC Greater Baltimore. ?? Date: Tueday, March 11th | 3PM - 5PM ?? Location: Plano-Coudon 2101 Washington Blvd Baltimore, MD 21230 ??? Limited to 50 participants – register today! https://lnkd.in/eppkKfGx Whether you’re an industry veteran, an emerging leader, or an ally looking to drive meaningful change, this session will leave you inspired and equipped with actionable takeaways. Let’s continue the momentum and shape the future of A/E/C—together! #WomenInConstruction #AECLeadership #NAWICBaltimore #SMPSMaryland #MentorshipMatters #InclusionInAEC #BreakingBarriers

WIC Week is officially recognized in Maryland! This morning at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, we proudly witnessed the official WIC Week Proclamation—a recognition made possible by NAWIC Baltimore Chapter #135, who submitted the request to honor the contributions of women in construction across our state. Proud to stand alongside this phenomenal chapter full of industry partners as we continue to advocate for representation, opportunity, and growth in our field. Thank you to ABC Greater Baltimore for supporting and celebrating this big week—let’s keep pushing the industry forward. ?? #WICWeek #NAWIC #WomenInConstruction #NAWICBaltimore #BuildingTheFuture #Annapolis #ABCBaltimore #ABCLOGIC

The power of community in our careers can’t be overstated. Having peers to walk alongside—through challenges, wins, and the moments in between—makes all the difference. Whether it’s sharing advice, lifting each other up, or simply knowing you’re not alone, these connections shape how we grow and lead. This Women in Construction (WIC) Week, I had the opportunity to celebrate with the Baltimore chapter, surrounded by incredible women and allies who are shaping the future of our industry. A huge thank you to Harkins Builders, Inc. and NAWIC Baltimore Chapter #135#135 for bringing us all together to "Frame & Build" our careers—because when we invest in each other, we all rise. Kristen Schuler, Bonnie Cronin, Laura Byrne, Christina Fritz, Ambre Schaffer - YOU ALL ROCK!! Even more inspiring? These women accepted the "2025: Year of the Mentor" Challenge! They’re leaning into their own mentoring styles and committing to finding mentoring moments every day—because mentorship isn’t just a formal program, it’s the everyday moments of sharing wisdom, guidance, and support. Find your tribe and build together! #WICWeek #WomenInConstruction #YearOfTheMentor #Mentorship #CareerGrowth #Community #PinkMentorNetwork

I cannot wait for next week's powerful panel discussion on championing women in A/E/C! ?? As SMPS Maryland President, I'm absolutely thrilled about our partnership with NAWIC Baltimore Chapter #135 for this important conversation. The energy and expertise our panelists will bring to discussions on career growth, mentorship, and creating inclusive workplaces are exactly what our industry needs! If you haven't already, head over to the SMPS Maryland page for all the event details and registration information. With only 50 spots available, you'll want to secure yours quickly! Let's show up in force and continue breaking barriers in A/E/C—together. I hope to see you there! #WomenInConstruction #SMPSMD #NAWICBaltimore #AECIndustry