"The ranks of distinguished women honored by Professional Women in Construction (PWC) has grown each year," said Barbara Armand, president of Armand Corporation and chair of the PWC Salute to Women of Achievement program committee, as she recently introduced a group of outstanding women at the annual Salute luncheon at The Yale Club.
Corporate leadership honoree Karen Roberts, EVP and president, Walmart Realty, was introduced by PWC president Lenore Janis who told the audience that Roberts is responsible for a portfolio of close to one billion square feet and is "eager to assist the next generation of women at Walmart." Roberts called Walmart "a proud partner with PWC" and noted that the retail giant has launched the Global Women's Empowerment initiative which "will invest $100 million in grants over the next five years to empower women in 27 countries around the world." In addition, "we are doubling our purchases from women-owned businesses globally - $20 billion a year."
Executive achievement honoree Tanya Pope, executive director, Construction Business Services (CBS), Columbia University Facilities, thanked "women in construction everywhere who work very hard to distinguish themselves in a male dominated field." Presenter La-Verna Fountain, associate vice president, Columbia University Facilities, noted that "Thanks to Tanya... 53 M/WBE firms have graduated from the CAP/Columbia University Construction Mentorship program and have been awarded over $60 million in contracts with the City of New York and Columbia University."
Tom Lewis, group vice president, U.S. Operations with Louis Berger Group, called professional achievement honoree Juliana Atmadja, Sc.D., P.E, principal hydrogeologist, Louis Berger Group, "an integral and incredibly important part of our team" whose work "has formed the basis for many of the firm's key projects" including the current Hudson River Remediation and planned remediation of the Passaic River.
Barry Manning, regional sales director with AON Construction Services Group, praised the "intense passion, in-depth knowledge and technical expertise" of Business Leadership honoree Heidi Strom, senior vice president, AON Risk Services, Construction Services Group. Strom thanked her team with helping her "meet the challenges" encountered each day.
Longtime PWC supporter Joy Crichlow, retired director, supplier diversity with Con Edison of NY, Inc., said that with Business Achievement honoree Lore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­de la Bastide vice president of purchasing, Con Edison of NY, "steering the ship we will reach out to many more W/MBEs." De la Bastide credited Con Edison for giving her the opportunity to learn and grow.
Business and professional leadership honoree Gloria Glas, AIA, partner, SLCE Architects, LLP, said that while we see more women contributing in the construction industry as architects, "managers, executives, developers, engineers..." still "a lot more still needs to be done to inspire women and help them find their opportunities." David Penick, vice president, Hines, applauded Glas for the "tremendous projects" she is involved with. Glas is the principal architect of projects done in collaboration with such firms as Foster & partner, Atelier Jean Nouvel and SOM.
Career Achievement honoree Elly Spicer, director, NYC District Council of Carpenters Labor Technical College, pledged to "continue to push, prod, cajole and prove that a diversified workforce is ...productive and successful" and noted that women now comprise 15% of the College's apprentices. David Meberg, president and CEO of Consolidated Carpet applauded Spicer for breaking through the "wood ceiling." Meberg represents one of the college's major association partners.
Honorees shown (front row from left): Tanya Pope, Columbia University Facilities; Karen Roberts, Walmart Realty; Heidi Strom, Aon Risk Services; Gloria Glas, AIA, SLCE Architects; Elly Spicer, Carpenters Labor Tech College; Lore de la Bastide, Con Ed NY; and Juliana Atmadja, Sc.D., Louis Berger. Presenters shown (back row from left): Barbara Armand, Armand Corp.; David Meberg, Consolidated Carpet; La-Verna Fountain, Columbia: David Penick, Hines; Barry Manning, Aon Construction Services; Lenore Janis, PWC. Not shown: Tom Lewis, Louis Berger and Joy Crichlow, Con Ed. Tags: