At BUILD25, I shared several priorities I plan to focus on during my time as AWCI president. One I’m especially passionate about is shining a brighter spotlight on the women who help drive our industry forward. I’ve seen firsthand the impact women make in every corner of construction—from field leadership and project management to finance, safety and operations. We are committed to amplifying the voices and experiences of women in construction, with a strong focus on showcasing their contributions and encouraging growth in management and across the workforce.
I’m excited to share some of the ways we’ll be highlighting the incredible women in our industry in real and meaningful ways throughout 2026. AWCI’s commitment to elevating women in construction will be reflected across several key initiatives. Construction Dimensions magazine will feature more stories both written by women and about women in the industry, with support from our Women Executives Forum to help identify contributors and topics. We’ll also share and amplify content from organizations such as the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).
Our conferences and educational offerings will include a more diverse lineup of speakers, with a strong emphasis on elevating women’s voices and perspectives. And in March 2026, we’ll celebrate Women in Construction Week with daily social media highlights and special coverage in The Finish Line weekly newsletter, a publication by our association focusing on developments and trends in the wall and ceiling sector.
These initiatives are just the beginning, and we truly want to make them impactful. We are actively looking for women in construction to share their experiences and stories with us. Your insights are invaluable and can help us further showcase the vital role women play in our industry. If you are interested in contributing as an author, being interviewed or have ideas for topics, please don’t hesitate to contact us (Amelia Miedema—[email protected]). We look forward to partnering with you to highlight the incredible talent and dedication of women in construction.
This year, we are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of AWCI CARES. It is a powerful reminder of our shared values: compassion, connection and a commitment to supporting one another. You can learn more about AWCI CARES in our in-depth article and on the poster included in this issue.
Whether it is uplifting women in the workforce or helping members in times of need, our industry is strongest when we take care of our people.
Jeff Dreisewerd is the president of AWCI and the senior operations consultant at T.J. Wies Contracting, Inc., in St. Louis, Missouri.
