Kait Jens (@buildwithkait) is a Construction Manager at WMG Development whose leadership reflects the evolving role of women in commercial construction. With a foundation built on the general contractor side and hands-on field experience, she brings practical jobsite knowledge, cost awareness, and strong trade relationships into her work as a developer representative.
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Known for stepping into increased responsibility during periods of transition, she leads multiple projects with disciplined communication, clear expectations, and extreme ownership, addressing challenges early and prioritizing solutions over blame to keep teams aligned and accountable.
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Raised in the Midwest by a blue-collar veteran father, Kait was instilled with grit, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility, values that now define her leadership style. Her Christian faith is central to who she is and guides how she leads, communicates, and perseveres under pressure. .
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She believes success in construction is not about shortcuts or titles, but about showing up consistently, outworking expectations, and refusing to quit when challenges surface. In an industry traditionally dominated by men, she has built credibility through preparation, performance, and conviction, and she is committed to increasing visibility and opportunity for women in construction through mentorship and advocacy.
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Outside of work, Kait is a proud mother to her six-year-old daughter, Luna Pearl, who is her greatest motivation and daily reminder of why character matters. She is intentional about setting an example of strength, faith, and discipline while also embracing adventure and joy. Whether spending time at the beach, exploring new places, attending live music events, participating in Bible study, or enjoying clay shoots, Kait values experiences that build confidence, community, and resilience both at home and in her professional life.
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I’m Demi Knight Clark (@girlfridaysgarage) Chief Spark Igniter at Spark Building Group and founder of Reimagined Rosies summer STEM-to-Space welding camps supported by Spark Force Foundation. I’m from the Carolinas and currently an empty nester with two college kids.
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I was in a tech job during Y2K (yes, I’m Gen X) and was laid off three different times during the dot-com boom. My grandmother was one of the original Rosies in WWII in the Marines, and my dad was an Army Ranger. I was taught my whole life to use my hands – and I was not doing that in any meaningful capacity. I found what I thought was the most stable job at the time with the largest residential builder in the world.
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Advice to others?
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Just go. Stop caring what people think – where it will take you or what you will do. Fail forward. Follow your curiosity.  Make sure you have a support system (all genders). If you’re a woman, don’t fall into the “cleaner, faster, stronger, better” trap where you feel like you have to be the best in the room. Find more of you in mentors, lived experiences, and advocates.
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And keep having fun. I’m at the age where if it’s bleeding edge and scary, I’m all in. I don’t have time to care what society thinks, and I wish I had that attitude in my 20s.
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Favorite parts of what you do?
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Consulting, speaking, and hosting camps for Gen Alpha and seeing the future of welding.  I’m passionate about spreading the message that #WeldingIsSTEM. We need to remove the stigmas of “engineering kids vs. welding/shop kids”. In the space economy and our robotics future, those worlds are blending fast. The blue-collar and white-collar divide is fading – it’s more of a gray hoodie for Gen Alpha. We need to seize the opportunity.
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Inspiration?
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Opposite ends of the spectrum: my grandmother and all the Rosies from WWII.  On the other end, my two daughters – one of whom is a STEM student graduating from Clemson School of Architecture this year. She advocated for herself in high school when guidance counselors said, “You’re great at art – you should be an artist.” She also loved calculus and engineering, and she found mentors who helped her see that the balance of both was architecture. …

My name is Jessica Tompkins (@chickie12166) and I’m from Putnam Valley, NY. My current role is Workforce Development at @tompkins_excavating.
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I don’t often take the traditional path and how I found my way into this industry is no exception.
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After deciding college wasn’t for me, I took a few courses and became a bookkeeper. It didn’t take long to realize that sitting alone at a desk all day didn’t suit my outgoing personality. So, I started searching for something that felt like a better fit.
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As I bounced from job to job, I felt completely lost. I began questioning my decision not to attend college and wondered if maybe there really was only one “right” path to success and I had missed it. While considering going back to school, I applied for a part-time data entry office position at a local excavation company.
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Before submitting my application, I literally googled, “What is excavation?” My knowledge of the industry was at zero.
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But, sometimes the unknown turns out to be the right place. Long story short, this is exactly where I belong.
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Over time, my role has evolved into Workforce Development, and it’s far from the quiet bookkeeping job I once had. My responsibilities range from payroll, interviewing/onboarding, to organizing team events, managing social media, capturing photos and drone footage, and my favorite part – supporting and caring for the team in the field.
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Building individual relationships with the people who are out there doing the work has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Watching our team grow, not just in numbers, but in culture and connection has been incredibly fulfilling.
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The blue-collar industry is made up of people from all backgrounds- some with degrees, some without. If you’re like me and a traditional classroom doesn’t feel like the right fit, know this: there are companies willing to teach skills you simply can’t learn in a classroom.
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I hope my story serves as a reminder that there are successful alternatives to the traditional college path. This industry is not a last resort. It requires intelligent, capable, driven people and one of the most untapped groups in our workforce is women. …

My name is Kait Burds. (@ironladyco) I’m from Dubuque, Iowa, and work as a Civil Foreman for Calnin & Goss.
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Construction chose me as a by-product of my work in the ski industry. Snow catting in the winters complimented moving dirt in the summers. It started early on with the many skills I picked up on my childhood job at @sundownmountain in Dubuque, Iowa, which lit a fire in me to pursue a degree in Ski Area Management from Gogebic Community College.
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I interned at Beaver Creek in Colorado for my first winter staying there for a total of 3 seasons while working construction in the summers for @heyl.construction. Looking to get more experience I took my brother up on an offer to return to the Midwest and work for @mortenson_construction on a wind farm in Nebraska. That is where I started my heavy civil operating career – learning to run scrapers, dozers, and motor graders.
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Advice for women starting in construction?
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Advocate for yourself. Be open-minded and curious. Set boundaries to protect your mind, body, and spirit.
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Favorite part about what you do?
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Being able to travel, live, and work in places I would have never chosen for myself. Integrating into different communities has opened my eyes to many walks of life and made me a better person because of it.
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I am also a coach and organizer for @_shegrooms_ a group that hosts a women’s camp at Mount Hood Meadows in Oregon. We bring women together for hands-on peer training to help bridge skills gaps in the ski industry. Through this work, I have been able to introduce more women to construction. I also started Iron Lady + Co., an initiative focused on promoting networking among women across trades and myself as an operator for hire to train and fill operator gaps.
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Skills vital to your job?
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Communication – because it is the biggest part of the job. How you communicate can make or break your team or owner relationships. Problem-solving is essential when things go wrong, because they will, and the job must go on. Public speaking has helped me address my team, speak up at meetings, and present myself as a relatable role model for others.
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Your inspiration?
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The doers of the world. …

My name is Michayla Martinich (@michaylam7) and I am a Machine Sales Representative for @tractorandequipmentco (CAT) based out of Belgrade, Montana.
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What led you to the construction industry?
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My dad used to always joke that he would fire me as his daughter if I ever got into the construction industry, so naturally I had to test those limits and started working for CAT back in 2021. I started out in the parts department, and it was supposed to be just a way to make money and move on, but I ended up loving what the brand stood for. I loved the people in the industry, and I ultimately decided to turn it into a career. I never imagined I would be a sales rep, but I am so beyond thankful T & E took a chance and hired me for a sales role because it is the best job anyone could ask for.
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Advice for those starting out?
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My biggest piece of advice is to never let someone stand in your way of accomplishing what you want. People are going to tell you that you won’t make it or that you are not good enough but just smile and show them they are wrong.
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Favorite part about what you do?
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The best part of being a sales rep is the people. I absolutely love my job because of all the different relationships I get to grow and build every single day with so many different people. It is also exciting to be part of something bigger than yourself. Watching customers build something with a machine I sold them is a great feeling because, in a way, I helped build that end result or helped their business grow, which is incredibly rewarding.
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Skills vital to your job?
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Patience, persistence, and kindness. Not everyone is going to like CAT machines, and not everyone is going to like me, but the key to being successful in what I do is being present and listening. You never know when someone is going to give you the opportunity to show them the value of a premier product.
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Who inspires you?
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My dad is my biggest inspiration. He works in gold mining and has been in the industry since before I was born. I have watched him climb every step of the ladder to where he is now, and it truly motivates me and gives me the confidence that I will be wildly successful in this field. …

My name is Sanna Larsson. (@sannalaarsson) I was born and raised in Sweden and currently live in the United States. I work as a Sales Logistics Manager at @steelwrist_northamerica Inc.
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What led you to construction?
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I’m a hands-on girl, and I love that I can combine that with my work in the office. Construction feels like a natural fit because it allows me to be involved both on the ground and behind the scenes, bringing together logistics, planning, sales, and teamwork to make projects succeed.
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What advice would you give someone starting out?
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Construction is a field where experience matters just as much as knowledge, so take every opportunity to learn from those around you. Also, don’t underestimate the value of building relationships—whether it’s with your team, customers, or suppliers, strong connections make a huge difference.
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What is your favorite part about what you do?
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My favorite part of my job is seeing the tangible results of our work at Steelwrist and knowing that the solutions we provide make a real difference for our customers. It’s rewarding to tackle challenges, find practical solutions, and contribute to projects that have a lasting impact in the construction industry.
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Who inspires you?
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I’m inspired by my parents. My dad’s hardworking, hands-on approach and problem-solving mindset taught me the value of dedication, perseverance, and getting things done. My mom is a strong, hardworking woman who has always shown me the power of love, support, and emotional strength. Together, they have always been my comfort and safe place. Their guidance shaped who I am, and I carry the lessons they’ve taught me into everything I do.
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#FelcoIndustries #nawic #tradeswoman #womenintrades #womeninconstruction #constructionwomen #workforcedevelopment #wicweek …