The event, organized by Kelle Lynch McMahon, Department Chair of Construction Management and founder of the Women in Construction program, drew an enthusiastic crowd of 64 attendees—students, faculty, and partners from across the Bay Area.
Sponsored by One Workplace and Whiting & Turner, the symposium featured an engaging panel of four accomplished women who shared their career journeys, experiences, and insights into the challenges and opportunities within the construction industry.
Attendees also heard remarks from Laney College’s President Rebecca Opsata, who spoke on the importance of advancing equity and representation in skilled trades and construction leadership.
Industry Partners and Supporters
Representatives from several major organizations joined the evening, including:
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Whiting & Turner (Sponsor)
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Association of General Contractors – She Builds Program
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Solar Grid, Inc.
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One Workplace (Sponsor and Vendor)
Learning, Networking, and Opportunity
Students heard firsthand how each panelist entered the construction industry and the diverse routes they took to achieve success across five market sectors—healthcare, K–12 schools, solar power utilities, residential and commercial construction, and transportation.
The symposium also gave students valuable networking opportunities. Many connected directly with employers, learned about career development and internship opportunities, and even secured job interviews during the event.