United States
Podcast Episode
Leaning Forward: Advancing Women in Construction
March 6, 2026
What does it truly take to advance women in construction—not just recruit them, but retain, support, and elevate them into leadership? In this episode of Building Conversations, Claudia Healy—STO Building Group’s Chief Human Resources Officer—sits down with NAWIC CEO Sheronda Carr and Northeast Regional Director Jillian Penkin to unpack the real retention challenges—bias, culture, and the difference between mentorship and sponsorship.
Key Takeaways
- Women often choose construction intentionally because of the opportunity to create tangible impact and build meaningful careers.
- Recruitment into construction has improved, but retention remains a major challenge due to workplace culture, lack of advancement pathways, and limited support systems.
- Mentorship provides guidance, but sponsorship—actively advocating for someone’s advancement—is what truly opens doors to leadership.
- Creating cultures of belonging requires leaders to model respect, encourage open dialogue, and support employees as whole individuals both professionally and personally.
Highlights In This Episode
Women are often attracted to construction because it offers the chance to make a visible, tangible impact while building strong careers across a wide range of roles—from project management and design to legal, sales, and operations.
While recruitment efforts have improved, retention remains difficult due to workplace culture challenges, limited advancement opportunities, lack of mentorship, and the struggle to balance demanding jobsite schedules with family responsibilities.
Women rarely leave because of one major incident. Instead, it’s often an accumulation of smaller moments—feeling unsupported, lacking career growth clarity, or experiencing workplace cultures that don’t fully value their contributions.
Navigating bias requires confidence, clear communication, and documenting experiences while also building alliances within the organization. Addressing issues directly while educating others can help shift workplace culture over time.
True inclusion goes beyond policies and mission statements. Leaders must actively model respect, check in with employees regularly, encourage open dialogue, and ensure that all voices are heard and valued in decision-making.
Mentorship provides advice and guidance, while sponsorship involves actively advocating for someone’s career—introducing them to opportunities, recommending them for leadership roles, and using personal influence to help them advance.
Closing Summary
This episode of Building Conversations explores what it truly takes to advance and retain women in the construction industry. Featuring insights from Claudia Healy, STO Building Group’s CHRO, Sheronda Carr, CEO of the National Association of Women in Construction, and Jillian Penkin, Northeast Regional Director—the conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, inclusive leadership, and supportive workplace cultures. Together, they emphasize that real progress happens when organizations move beyond recruitment to create environments where women can grow, lead, and thrive.
Host
Claudia Healy
CHRO
STO Building Group
Claudia Healy is at the forefront of HR innovation as the Chief Human Resources Officer for STO Building Group. With a solid foundation from over two decades at Verizon, she’s known for pushing the boundaries of traditional HR, aligning it closely with business goals. At STOBG, she’s all about modernizing and digitizing HR, playing a key role in shaping the company’s growth and establishing its leadership in the construction management sector.
Claudia’s role goes beyond the typical HR boundaries; she’s a catalyst for strategic initiatives that boost operational efficiency and foster a future-ready workplace. Her transformative work at STO Building Group and previously at Verizon has set new standards in how companies engage and develop talent, focusing on crafting empowering cultures and leadership paradigms. Innovation and employee empowerment have been foundational in her approach to leading the HR function.
Her contributions have been recognized with her inclusion in the Silberman College of Business 50 under 50 Inaugural Class and induction into the Alumni Hall of Fame. Claudia’s pursuit of excellence is further evidenced by her advanced studies, including the ‘Modern CHRO & Strategies for Success’ program at Cornell University and her graduation from the National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR) CHRO Academy. With her MBA and BS from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and active participation in various HR and executive networks, Claudia’s approach to HR is not just about leading change; it’s about inspiring it.
Outside of her professional life, Claudia cherishes her time with her husband, Chance, and their four children, who are the cornerstone of her ‘why’. Passionate about blending work and life seamlessly, Claudia finds her greatest joy and fulfillment in the moments spent with her family, reaffirming her belief in the importance of work-life integration.
Guests
Sheronda Carr
CEO
NAWIC
Sheronda L. Carr is the CEO of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), the premier professional organization supporting women in the construction industry, with affiliates worldwide. She oversees organizational leadership, working closely with the Board and staff to enhance NAWIC’s value, visibility, and influence.
Previously, Carr served as Vice President of Membership at SME, where she launched the Women of SMART Experience alongside SME’s Smart Manufacturing Experience. She also directed the EmpowerHer Engineering series, spotlighting women’s contributions to manufacturing.
Dedicated to fostering inclusivity, Carr promotes leadership that reflects the evolving landscape of the built environment and prioritizes diverse talent development. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Bowie State University and an MBA from Strayer University. An active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), she frequently shares her expertise on career development, community impact, and the importance of diverse, inclusive leadership to drive organizational success.
Jillian Penkin
Northeast Regional Director
NAWIC
Creating a career in construction happened by accident for Jillian. After 16 years in this industry – from HVAC, plumbing, building automation and finally flooring – she couldn’t imagine calling another industry “home.” But every home has its dysfunctional family members…and we very rarely give up on family. Jillian started Penkin Consulting to create a future for women in industries heavily populated by men. While many companies may claim to promote diversity, equity, & inclusion, many less actually embrace the true meaning of this philosophy into the core of their day to day actions. Guided by 20+ years of her own experiences, Jillian began supporting business organizations in Buffalo, Western New York, and nationwide looking to foster an authentic environment of acceptance, growth, and stellar leadership. But, how is that actually accomplished? All of the biggest changes begin by taking the first step. Book your own free 30 minute consultation to see where authentic, goal-focused leadership can take your organization!
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