PWC honors true winners at Salute to Women of Achievement - May 14

On Wednesday, May 14, Professional Women in Construction (PWC) and PWC president Lenore Janis greeted a capacity crowd representing leading companies and agencies in the New York metropolitan area who gathered to pay tribute to a stellar group of honorees, all leaders in their fields, at the annual PWC Salute to Women of Achievement luncheon held at The Yale Club in New York City. Janis applauded the honorees, "some of the most remarkable and accomplished women in our industry," and spoke of the enormous strides made in the almost 30 years since PWC's founding in 1980. She introduced a "winning woman," Special guest of honor Helen Marshall, president of the Borough of Queens, noting that Marshall, the first African American and the second woman to hold the post of the highest-ranking official in the borough of 2.2 million, received a resounding 74% of the Queens vote in 2005. Marshall thanked PWC for ensuring women's participation in the industry, allowing all to "break records and set new standards of excellence." She hailed women for their contribution to the "economic growth of NYC" and for making it "the city it is today." PWC vice president of development Gwendolyn Colbert Kushner, also the president of GCK Consulting, presented the Career Achievement Award to Lea Pi, construction project manager with CapitalOne Bank as someone who "exemplifies the mission of PWC." Pi, who was, said Colbert Kushner, increasingly drawn to "the core areas of construction" throughout her career, graduated from the construction project management program at The Mechanics Institute of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen. Pi spoke of her own forward climb propelled by independent thinking and an "uncommon determination to succeed." She said that women in construction "are slowly breaking through the concrete ceilings." Senior vice president & general counsel of Tishman Realty & Construction Co., Inc., and PWC board member Linda Christensen, introduced Professional Achievement Award honoree Maggie Kwan, civil engineer and director of structural systems at Tishman Construction Corp., as a "problem solver" who has consistently taken on what was historically men's work in a man's field. Kwan, included this year in Crain's New York Business' "Forty Under Forty" Rising Stars, praised the "outstanding company" she works for that "gives me the opportunity to grow and improve." She applauded her colleagues and mentors, and said that the team at Tishman leaves her "constantly challenged" and enables her to "work on spectacular structures." ACC Construction president Michele Medaglia introduced LEHR Construction Corp. principal Nora Fay, Executive Achievement Award honoree, saying that we all need to work together, then praised Fay, who is LEED certified, for her tremendous success and her commitment to environmental responsibility. "Her achievement will open more doors for women," said Medaglia.  Fay gave kudos to the incomparable teamwork at LEHR, and noted the dedication witnessed in her colleagues. Saying that she "couldn't be here without the help of many," she offered her gratitude for the opportunity to pursue her goals. Gregory Kelly, P.E., senior vice president & general manager Parsons Brinkerhoff, presented the Leadership Award to Jane Chmielinski, group CEO for Corporate Development with AECOM, currently ranked as the number 1 U.S. transportation engineering firm by Engineering News-Record. Kelly said that Chmielinski possesses the qualities of leadership - courage, backbone, resilience and strength of character. He said too that Chmielinski, clearly a leader, always supports her team. Chmielinski noted that someday people would be honored independent of their gender. Looking towards the future of AECOM she said that "PWC offers a larger perspective of what we all can do." PWC will host a golf outing at the Elmwood Country Club in White Plains on June 9 and "Meet the Real Estate Industry" on June 24 at Club 101 in New York City. For more information visit www.pwcusa.org.