This Women In Construction Week, we’re proud to recognize the incredible women at Lehman-Roberts, A Granite Company, and across our industry who pave the way together. Join us in celebrating the strength, skill, and teamwork of the women who help build our communities.
We asked a few members of our team to share how they got involved and what they’re passionate about within the industry. This is what they had to say:
Maria Bennett, Contract and Cost Control Analyst
What inspired you to pursue a career in construction?
I had been in banking for over twenty years and was ready for a new challenge.
What has surprised you the most about working in construction?
The significant presence of women across the industry and the wide range of roles they fill. Contrary to common perceptions, women are well represented not only in engineering and planning, but also in project controls, process improvement, field leadership, and various work zone positions.
What types of support or mentorship have been most valuable to you?
The opportunity to work alongside professionals with decades of experience in the construction industry. Their willingness to share knowledge, answer questions, and provide guidance has been instrumental to my growth. This also reflects positively on the company’s commitment to retaining long-term talent and fostering a culture of mentorship and collaboration.
What additional support or resources would help new women entering construction succeed?
Additional support that would greatly benefit women entering the construction industry is mentorship and guidance from other women who have already navigated the field. Having that perspective can be invaluable in helping newcomers adjust to the industry both inside and outside of the office. While my background was in banking, I quickly realized that many of the skills I developed—such as analytical thinking, communication, organization, and problem‑solving—were highly transferable to construction. If I had understood earlier how applicable my existing skill set was, I would have felt far more confident when starting out.
What advice would you give to young women considering careers in construction?
Do it! The construction world is vast and will always be needed. It’s real job security, and the positions vary greatly.
Rebecca Allen, Contract Administrator
What inspired you to pursue a career in construction?
I grew up in the asphalt and aggregate industries. My dad worked for Marathon/Ashland for 38 years. Asphalt was a way of life, not just a job. When I interviewed for the Contract Administration position at Lehman-Roberts, the values of the company, along with the people, solidified my choice, and I realized I belonged here.
What has surprised you most about working in construction?
How everyone truly cares not only about the people we work with but also about the community, too. We want to leave the places where we live and work better than how we found them.
What types of support or mentorship have been most valuable to you?
I was paired with Maria, the former Contract Administrator, in my first few months of work. The knowledge she possessed was invaluable. She has now been promoted to Contract and Cost Control Analyst, but thankfully, I can still lean on her when I need to tap into her knowledge base.
What advice would you give to young women considering careers in construction?
Construction is about problem-solving, teamwork, and work ethic. The industry is ever-changing, and there are numerous types of positions out there that all contribute to building infrastructure. Consider branching out by taking a shop class in high school, or look into your local technical school.
Lehman-Roberts is a wholly owned subsidiary of Granite Construction. Learn more at https://www.graniteconstruction.com/company/our-brands.