By admin 
Kelly Aust, a seasoned project manager for Skanska and current president of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), knows the challenges women face in the construction industry. Fresh off managing a $65 million project at Portland State University, Aust is preparing for NAWIC’s upcoming Women in Construction (WIC) Week, a national series of live and virtual events from March 2-8, 2025, celebrating the expanding roles of women in construction.
Discovering WIC Week: A Transformative Moment
Aust first encountered WIC Week after joining the Portland chapter of NAWIC in 2013, and it left a lasting impression. “WIC Week introduced me to a world of possibilities in construction,” Aust recalls. “Coming from a non-construction background, I realized that women have so much to contribute to this field, and there are countless opportunities waiting to be explored.”
While women currently make up only 11% of the construction workforce, initiatives like WIC Week are vital for sparking interest and showing young women the opportunities this industry holds. “WIC Week helps bring awareness to the diversity of careers available, particularly to young women who might not have considered construction as an option,” Aust explains.
Empowering Women in the Industry
WIC Week not only serves as an introduction for newcomers but also empowers women already working in the industry. Aust believes that it offers a valuable opportunity for professionals to take a step back and reflect on their progress.
“In construction, it’s easy to focus solely on the task at hand,” Aust says. “WIC Week offers an opportunity to step back, celebrate our achievements, and consider where the industry is headed.”
For Aust, participating in WIC Week also underscores the importance of providing support to women throughout their careers. “WIC Week provides a platform to recognize how far we’ve come and what we can still achieve,” she adds.
Diversity in Construction: A Critical Advantage
Aust also highlights the value of diversity in the construction industry, stressing that WIC Week reminds everyone how integral diversity is to success. “It’s surprising that diversity still faces resistance in an industry as dynamic and interconnected as construction,” Aust says. “Incorporating diverse perspectives leads to more creative solutions, and that benefits everyone.”
The increasing presence of women has led to other changes, such as a growing demand for better work/life balance policies. “Many men in the industry now push for parental leave and flexible work options, and they wouldn’t have those expectations if women hadn’t led the way,” Aust adds.
“Together We Rise” — A Unified Call for Change
The theme for WIC Week 2025, “Together We Rise,” is a call for collective action. Aust emphasizes that this is not just about women—it’s about everyone in the industry coming together to build a more inclusive and successful future.
“Construction is an industry that thrives on diversity, and we all benefit when we create a culture that works for everyone,” she says. “The future of construction depends on our ability to find new ways to bring people into the field, and that requires all of us working together.”
WIC Week Moments to Remember
Reflecting on her past experiences with WIC Week, Aust recalls several standout moments that captured the spirit of the event. “Portland’s annual fundraiser, ‘A Night with NAWIC,’ became a powerful platform for sharing the success stories of local women in construction. It was amazing to hear how many women had overcome challenges and broken barriers in the industry. The night was filled with pride, inspiration, and hope for the future,” she says.
Aust also emphasizes WIC Week’s international impact. “The NAWIC Palmetto, SC chapter in the South Atlantic Region hosted a virtual panel with NAWIC UK. Hearing perspectives from women in the industry from different countries really opened my eyes to the shared challenges and successes we all face,” she says. “It was an exciting experience to realize that, despite our geographical differences, we’re all working toward the same goal—elevating women in construction.”
Get Involved
As WIC Week 2025 approaches, Aust encourages everyone in the construction industry—men and women alike—to participate. “Together, we can create a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future for construction,” she says. To learn more or get involved, visit NAWIC’s website.
About NAWIC
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) was founded in 1953 by sixteen women in Fort Worth, Texas, to create a support network for women in construction-related fields. Today, NAWIC has 119 chapters across the United States, offering professional development, education, networking opportunities, and leadership training. Through initiatives like WIC Week and partnerships with organizations such as Construction Angels, NAWIC continues to advance its mission of supporting women and fostering diversity in the industry.