Hosted in person for the first time since 2019, the EmPower Women’s Leadership Conference brought together women and men in the trades for a day of inspiration, reflection, and celebration.
Keynote speaker Dr. Barbara Jackson, an expert in cultural transformation and collaboration, led off the day. “I believe that women participating and leading the industry is key to its transformation,” said Dr. Jackson. “And by building a network of support for women in construction, we are securing the future of the industry.”
The Center of Excellence assisted with securing two speakers for the morning panel: COE Advisory member Jessica Kinman of Boomi and Laina Reeves, AMT and pilot. Back in November, Reeves shared more on her career and the fall’s Girls in Aviation Day. At EmPower Reeves and Kinman joined Christina Millan of OAC Services for an insightful panel that focused on women in trades beyond construction.
In the afternoon organizers presented three awards, with the Trailblazer award going to Karen Dove of ANEW, the Emerging Leader going to Karen Lawton at Turner Construction, and the Industry Leadership award going to Cornerstone General Contractors.
The day closed with Dr. Jackson returning to the stage to reflect on the day, and then a social hour where attendees were able to mingle over drinks and appetizers.
A huge round of thanks goes out to the day’s sponsors, including WSDOT, LiUNA!, IBEW Local 46, Hoffman Construction and many others. See the full agenda and list of sponsors.
For pictures and more from the day, search #makingherstoryinthetrades and #EmPowerWomensLeadershipConference2023 on social media.