'Your intelligence and capabilities will shine through'

Be yourself. Be authentic. Build on your strengths. This is the guidance three TD executives provide their colleagues as we celebrate Women in Construction Week and Women’s History Month during March.

“It’s obvious you’re a woman, so don’t pretend you’re not. Be yourself and have confidence that your intelligence and capabilities will shine through,” advises Laura Gautreau, TD’s VP of Austin Construction.

Laura is joined by Lauren Turner, EVP of Austin and Dallas Service, and Nikki Morgan, EVP of Houston and San Antonio Construction and Service as they share their experiences as women leaders in the construction industry.

Lauren Turner, EVP Austin and Dallas Service

Lauren joined TD in 2014 as a Process Improvement Specialist, moving to TD’s Manufacturing division as Director and Vice President, as well as Dallas Service. In 2022, Lauren took on her current leadership role.

How does TD support women leaders?

What sets TD apart is our dedication to caring for and supporting our employee-owners. We put people first and uphold a fundamental belief around celebrating individual differences. While this value is important to women at TD, it resonates with all. It's about fostering inclusivity for everyone and acknowledging that our diverse backgrounds enhance our collective strength. Everyone brings unique value to TD, and I appreciate working for a company that understands that.

Any general thoughts on being an effective leader?

Humility serves as the primary safeguard for exceptional leadership. Although leaders are bound to make mistakes, what keeps them pointed in the right direction is their humility – understanding that it’s not about them – and actively seeking feedback, listening and adjusting.

Anything you should be mindful of once you’re “in the room”?

The key is self-reflection and framing your purpose for being there. Start with, ‘I am here to help the company, not to prove myself or worry about the impact on my career.’ I may have a different opinion. My role is to represent what I believe.?

Laura Gautreau, VP Austin Construction

Serving in a multitude of roles over the past 28 years at TD, including VP of Houston’s Operations, Laura has helped shape the company’s extraordinary performance and growth.

As a woman in construction, how has the industry changed over the past few decades?

I first started with TD 42 years ago in 1982. I’ve never felt it was a disadvantage being a woman in this industry. I remember when there were no women in the room. ?Our first female project manager was hired in the early 1980s, but it was sparce until the late 1990s. Because there were so few women, it was hard for our customers to know how to relate to you. But as soon as you were able to demonstrate your capabilities, it became a very different conversation. Today, the pace and expectations in the digital age are so much faster, with an intense demand to sort through information coming at you from all sides. In the early days we didn’t have computers, we worked on paper. It was so much slower back then, though it seemed fast at the time.

How does TD support women leaders?

Honestly, the same way TD supports all leaders. I don’t think there’s any special support required for women. TD offers leadership training and executive coaching for all leaders; what’s offered applies to everyone. The one thing we did NOT have back then were women mentors in executive roles. Today, women can see many other successful women leading construction operation excellence and innovation. ?My early mentors were Graham Moore, Ed Reeve, Ben Houston and Jack Lowe Jr.

Best advice for young women in the construction industry?

Be yourself. It’s obvious you’re a woman, so don’t think you should act otherwise. Let someone open the door for you, just be natural and embrace who you are. Be yourself and have confidence that your intelligence and capabilities will shine through. I don’t see being a female in this industry as a disadvantage, that’s just my experience. Some women leaders have experienced discrimination, and what they experienced is real. They stayed true to themselves, they worked it through the system and worked hard to get where they are today.

Nikki Morgan, EVP Houston, San Antonio Construction and Service

Nikki came on board with TD in 1997 and within seven years she was a VP leading our Houston Service, Building Controls and Professional Services teams. In 2011, she earned a spot on the senior leadership team. With expanded oversight responsibility, Nikki joined the Executive Leadership Team in 2022.

As a woman in construction, how has the industry changed over the past few decades?

There are more opportunities for women. The emphasis on STEM careers for girls means more women are graduating with engineering and construction science degrees. When I go to industry events, I see a lot more women than I did in the ‘90s, but there are still fewer women than men—especially in leadership positions.

Also, the emphasis on inclusion and diversity has opened people to being more aware of what women bring to the industry.

How does TD support women leaders?

Looking back to the late ’90s, TD had some women in leadership and business roles at a time when it was rare. The way TD has supported women is the same way we’ve supported anyone, male or female. We are about career opportunities. If you work hard and put in the effort and want to pursue a certain career, everyone is given the opportunity.

Best advice for young women in the construction industry?

Build your confidence and show that you have it.?We tend to get in our own way more than anything else by constantly second guessing ourselves. Women have so many positive natural leadership abilities, but sometimes we tend to look at men and think, ‘I’ve got to act like a man, or I have to act in a certain way.’ Ultimately, you’ll be miserable if you try to curtail who you are. Be authentic to who you are.?Make sure you are supporting other women, sponsor or mentor them to help them grow in a leadership capacity. Whatever your strengths, be proud of who you are and the skills you offer.