Name: April Intrabartola

Title: Vice President

Company Name: Eastman Cooke Construction

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you?
I grew up in the family construction business and worked on sites throughout high school and college. My dad, who also worked in the industry, has always been my mentor. He never stops encouraging me to trust my instincts and follow my heart, as did my late aunt who also taught me to be independent and confident. Although my early career path was in education, I was inherently drawn to the dynamism and diversity of the industry. My partner and I launched Eastman Cooke & Associates in 2009, which continues to evolve and expand.

Why should women consider a career in construction?
Construction is an industry that offers high-paying jobs and embraces diversity. It has traditionally provided career paths for women and men, from back-office management to positions in the trades. Construction is a broad landscape that in recent years has been especially open to enterprising women, with the added benefit of providing a wide choice of career opportunities. Eastman Cooke was instrumental in developing curriculum for the Construction Trades Program at LaGuardia Community College, which includes classes on construction-focused technologies, site decorum, estimating, and beyond. Today, more women are being welcomed into the trades and benefiting from great paying jobs!