Women in Construction Week 2021: Sharing Our Stories
At CFC Construction, we know exactly how fortunate we are to have each and every woman on our team. As more women join the construction sector, it daily becomes clearer how critical they are to helping the industry build better to meet the needs of today’s communities.
Last week was 2021 Women in Construction (WIC) Week, an opportunity for construction and related businesses nationwide to show their gratitude to our industry’s amazing women. To celebrate WIC Week 2021, CFC brought together several of the amazing women on our team to share their stories. Several spoke about the reasons they love their jobs. A few shared challenges they’d faced, or achievements they were most proud of. Every story shared supports the growth of an even stronger community of women in construction, both at CFC and beyond.
As part of our WIC Week celebration, we also worked with talented area photographer Shana Cook to create our own “superstar magazine cover” tableau of many of CFC’s women. To show the women’s faces while staying 100% COVID-safe, we actually photographed everyone separately in the same Denver West Office Park gazebo near CFC’s corporate office, carefully posing and spacing each individual. Cook then used the magic of Photoshop to digitally reunite them. We love the result, because it helps to showcase them as the true superstars they are!
Whether they work out in the field or in our corporate office, these women each make unique contributions to helping CFC deliver the right solutions for our clients and employees. While long ago construction was thought of as “men’s work,” we’ll be the first to admit that we’d get nowhere without the women who daily make CFC stronger, smarter, and more innovative. Read on to hear some of our women’s stories. (For more, check out last year’s feature.)
Gena Hannaway, CFC Risk Manager
Working in construction since: 1985
Q: Why do you love your job?
A: I have spent my entire career in construction and have loved every moment. The industry inherently brings challenges to every role, and the challenges vary within each role and vary day by day. I find this provides excitement and opportunity to everyone in the industry. If we are not challenged, we are not going to love what we do. It is easy to love what we do when everyone around us feels the exact same way! Working in construction, I have always been proud of the work we do. I love driving around town admiring every past and current project.
Megan Boyd, CFC Senior Project Manager (not pictured)
Working in construction since: 1998
Q: Why do you love your job?
A: One of the great aspects of being a woman in construction at CFC is that it is a non-issue. While that should be the norm across the industry at this point, it simply is not at most construction companies. At CFC, there are women in the majority of the different roles within the company. I am valued for my experience and project management skills, and my opinions and decisions are listened to and respected. Back when I started as a laborer on a framing crew at 18, I was repeatedly asked why I was doing that job. Now I could not guess the last time I was asked that. As a result, I am able to focus on the project itself; construction is hard enough without those additional distractions!
Ashleigh Valorz, CFC Project Accountant
Working in construction since: 2020
Q: What is a challenge you’ve overcome in your role?
A: Onboarding and training for a new job anywhere comes with challenges, but learning a new role during a pandemic brings an entirely different level of challenges. Being pretty new to CFC during this time has given me a unique perspective on the industry and the company. Even with the added difficulties presented by the pandemic, my team has been fantastic at providing me with the training and flexibility I need to do my job well. It’s a really great feeling to be a part of a network that truly wants me to succeed, and that takes challenges in stride. Strong communication has been a key part of this, and I feel incredibly lucky to have a team that doesn’t approach training as either a burden or a nuisance. Also, even though many of us work on individual sites, it still feels like we’re part of a cohesive team.
Autymn Rubal, CFC Special Projects Group Manager
Working in construction since: 1998
Q: What is your proudest achievement?
A: I have to say that my greatest accomplishment to date is my current role with CFC Construction. Building an entire new division focused on special projects during the middle of a global pandemic has been filled with challenges. This pandemic has inspired me to look at things with a new perspective, determining how to compete in an ever-changing market where construction has the ability to create healthier and better environments – from the offices we work in, to the restaurants we eat in, even to how we travel. I love being part of such an innovative industry in such a new and transformative time. I look forward to creating value for my clients, team, and stakeholders as CFC Special Projects grows and matures in the Colorado market.
Nicole Lopez, CFC Project Coordinator
Working in construction since: 2016
Q: What is a challenge you’ve overcome in your role?
A: To be completely honest, every day can be a challenge for a woman in construction. In my case, I’ve had to always be prepared to fight (not necessarily in a bad way) for people to listen or believe what I’m saying. I’ve had to learn new ways of communicating with people that come across as assertive but not rude. As a woman that’s tough because of the preconceived notions that women have to be sweet and polite all of the time.
Laura Torrisi, CFC Controller & HR Manager
Working in construction since: 2001
Q: Why do you love your job?
A: I enjoy my position with CFC so much because I get to work within so many different facets of the organization. Being the Controller & Human Resources Manager and a member of the CFC management team, I am fortunate to get to work in both the Accounting/Finance and Human Resources (HR) Departments. Through this work, I have the opportunity for regular and meaningful contact with CFC team members, vendors, and clients. No two days are ever the same, and I thrive in the lively and dynamic environment.
Kira Chaffee, CFC Project Manager
Working in construction since: 2001
Q: Why do you love your job?
A: I love being in construction because every day presents new challenges as well as new opportunities for growth and success. There is never a dull day on a job site, especially this past year, working through the global pandemic. This new challenge has pushed me to be a better leader, to look for solutions through tougher constraints, and to be a more compassionate team member. The challenges have been harder to overcome, but that has made the successes that much more rewarding. Seeing the achievements of my teams and the success of our projects is what gets me excited each and every day to strap up my boots, put my hard hat on, and take on the new day.
Tereza Cooper, CFC HR Generalist
Working in construction since: 2020
Q: Why do you love your job?
A: I started working in the construction industry not so long ago, and have to say that it’s a very exciting industry to be part of, particularly in a city like Denver that is growing so rapidly. I love the fact that what we do has an impact on our community. We build environments and infrastructure to help communities thrive. My part is to support our employees and their development, bring new talent on board, and help create a culture where everyone can reach their full potential to make it all happen.
Interested in constructing your career at CFC? View our current openings or apply online.