Every March, women and their advocates across North America and beyond gather to celebrate Women in Construction (WIC) Week, a nationwide initiative led by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). The initiative was started by NAWIC Nationals in 1960 and has since become a significant part of the organization’s impact on the construction industry. Under the tenacious leadership of Rita Brown, current NAWIC National President, NAWIC continues to encourage the AEC industry to “Level Up, Build Strong.”
But WIC Week is just one of the many ways NAWIC amplifies the voices of women in construction. Alongside it are scholarship programs, fundraising events, educational courses and certifications, networking events and conferences, and community outreach. Driving each of these initiatives is the same vision: to transform how women experience the architectural, engineering, and construction industry. I’m joined by several of the women behind NAWIC Boston Chapter #15, each bringing their own roles and insights in pursuit of that vision.
The President of NAWIC Boston Chapter #15, one of the first chapters in the country, is Andrea Rizzo. For Andrea, the work NAWIC does is multifaceted. It represents women in the AEC industry while also creating meaningful opportunities for growth and connection.
Devin Henry, Vice President of the Boston Chapter and Chair of the Safety Committee, as well as a 2025 National Member Strong Award Winner, has been part of NAWIC since 2022 and, in her words, “it’s been fantastic.”
Rachana Karaj, Board Member of NAWIC Boston, Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, and both NAWIC Nationals Member of the Year and Member Strong Award Winner for 2025, brings deep insight into the organization’s nationwide impact.
Under the leadership of Regional Director Jillian Penkin, alongside Board Members Jen DeAmicis, Rachel Finney, Kara Champagne, Lenna Sweeney, Geselle Valenti, Leah Hoffman, and Ching Ling, the chapter has not only prepared an empowering WIC Week but also built a year focused on growth, support, education, and meaningful networking — harnessing “The Power in the Room,” this year’s regional motto. Once introductions are complete, the tone of the conversation is clear: enthusiasm and genuine passion for NAWIC, its mission, and the year ahead.
“Our main mission is to strengthen and amplify women’s voices in the construction industry,” Andrea says. NAWIC Boston offers not just camaraderie, but mentorship, support, and a shared vision — creating a community that promotes a safe space for women and their advocates.
“Our main mission is to strengthen and amplify women’s voices in the construction industry.”
When asked what the organization means to them, Devin and Rachana echo Andrea’s point. “In the United States, women make up only 11% of the construction industry,” Devin says, “and out of that 11% only 2 to 3% are women in the field.”
NAWIC Boston aims to bring more women into the trades while also expanding awareness among those in non-field roles about the education and growth opportunities available within the industry. NAWIC is structured nationally, regionally, and then by local chapters. Chapters such as Boston represent specific areas — in this case, the Northeast — which collectively form part of the national body.
In its effort to reach tradeswomen, a National Trades Women Committee was formed by NAWIC Nationals to help regions and local chapters strengthen this focus. “It’s about diversifying the pipeline and reaching people who may not have any exposure to this industry and letting them know what the possibilities are,” Andrea says. “There are so many different avenues for people to become a part of this industry, and one of the roadblocks we’re constantly trying to break down is how to expose people — especially at a young age — to this industry and all of its potential.”
Digging deeper into the current state of the industry and the driving force behind NAWIC’s mission, Rachana shares further context. “When it comes down to the construction industry, if we don’t tap into resources and people who are different than the norm, the old school generations are all going to age out. Women make up half the population on the planet and NAWIC aims to expose the architecture, engineering and construction space to as many of them as they can.”
Rachana adds, “A part of what NAWIC does is reach out to the younger generation, like our STEM Program or Block Kids, where we run contests that are STEM oriented.”
Through involvement in these initiatives, as well as Junior Achievers, Girls in Trades, YouthBuild Boston, and AGC MA’s STEM and education programs, NAWIC Boston is committed to guiding the next generation into the AEC industry. Devin adds: “What we like to communicate, especially to the younger generations, is that yes, we do need more skilled tradespeople, but also when you’re involved in construction you don’t have to be the person swinging the hammer.”
With a vast range of career paths available, the AEC industry offers opportunities for people with many different passions — from accounting and legal services to HVAC installation, electrical engineering, construction material sales and manufacturing, and the logistics professionals who transport materials across cities, states, and countries.
NAWIC Boston not only provides valuable experiences, but actively builds opportunity. To date, the Boston Chapter has awarded 171 scholarships worth over $230,000 to students in construction-related programs.
“Within the larger organization, NAWIC has a National Education Fund that some chapters participate in,” Andrea says, “but we also have our own funds that we award scholarships through. Every year we invite anyone who is pursuing a higher education degree in architecture, engineering, or construction, or anyone pursuing a trade program. We’re supporting people enrolled full time in both trades and college programs, and they’re eligible to apply for a scholarship.”
By hosting a wide range of events throughout the year, NAWIC Boston raises funds to continue amplifying its community. Through outreach efforts, the chapter strengthens connections and reinforces the growing presence of women in construction. With at least one event per month — sometimes up to four — and a dedicated scholarship committee, participation in the scholarship program continues to grow.
“It’s a really great way to provide people with opportunities to pay for their education, and then hopefully down the line they’ll want to join NAWIC as a member. Once students are in their programs, we also have a fund established to sponsor students so that they don’t have to pay for a student membership,” Andrea says.
Kara Champagne, NAWIC Boston’s Membership Chair, has developed a plan to keep members engaged, welcome new student members, and ensure the broader community continues to benefit from what NAWIC Boston offers — including recognizing members who have been with the chapter for five, ten, twenty, and even thirty-plus years.
Members of NAWIC Boston benefit not only from scholarship programs and industry engagement, but also from a variety of annual events hosted by the chapter, which they can attend free of charge.
“This is a huge value add for our members,” Andrea says. “The events are intended to bring people together, educate them, and sometimes provide them with certifications. We try to provide a wide variety of events based on people’s interests, and we get different groups for each one. It’s always a really great environment.”
As Chair of the Safety Committee, Devin oversees the rollout of a monthly newsletter that advises companies on compliance standards and required administrative practices.
“We distribute that to all of our members so that they are able to go back from these events with something tangible to their employer,” Devin says. “When you can hand them something and say I’m giving you some OSHA standards or DoT standards, or other topics like hazard communication, fall protection and roadway safety, that tangible piece of paper absolutely helps.”
Linking companies with the NAWIC membership community is central to the Boston Chapter’s approach. Rachana states, “We cannot be the only person in the room — those around us have to be involved and join this conversation. Our companies and advocates are truly important to making the industry successful for all.”
As the Boston Chapter prepares for this year’s Women in Construction (WIC) Week, excitement is building.
“We focus on events and initiatives that bring women together, give them space to voice their opinions, hear one another, and showcase women in the industry,” Rachana says. “WIC Week shines a light on how much our industry needs a future generation of women.”
One of NAWIC Boston’s largest collaborative events, held alongside sister chapters NAWIC Worcester and NAWIC Rhode Island, is the WIC Week Kickoff Event — a gathering of 200 to 300 industry professionals.
“We play some virtual golf, we bowl, we eat, we socialize and we come together to kick off the start of the week,” Rachana says. “That’s a big way of showcasing our chapter, showcasing all of our members and giving back to our community. It’s a networking opportunity — an opportunity to find someone their next job opportunity, a new connection in their chapter or region who can help build their career.”
This year’s WIC Week Kickoff Event is February 24th at Howl at the Moon at Patriot Place in Foxboro. NAWIC is the official starter of WIC Week, and this event, like so many others, reflects the commitment of the women who lead it.
Continuing the Northeast’s theme of “Power in the Room,” NAWIC hosts not only local events but also regional and national conferences to broaden its reach.
“Our next regional conference is in Lake George in May, bringing 19 chapters together to learn, socialize, network, and explore different topics. Those types of events are really exciting for the DEI committee,” Rachana says. “We created a three-year strategic plan for what we call Voices of Change, which starts with hearing the voices in our community — how they got started, their struggles, and their happy and aha moments.”
NAWIC Boston has created a safe and supportive space where members can speak openly about their experiences and work together to tackle challenges.
“Because our industry is very small, feeling safe and supported, especially as a woman, is very important. We use that DEI series, Voices of Change, to push the conversation from one level to the next.”
The program encourages open dialogue on topics such as financial responsibility, innovation, hiring, and recruiting.
“We’re involving people like the AGC and members like Holly Folan who come in and talk about GRIT, which is Girls Rising in Trades, an organization she founded. It’s a great opportunity for people to level up their experience and build a strong foundation for their companies and themselves.”
NAWIC is invested in the long-term success of its members and the wider WIC community, creating opportunities that not only open doors but support sustained growth within the industry.
“Our Chapter has won the ACT. ACHIEVE. INSPIRE. Award, which has given us thousands of dollars to keep this messaging and this programming alive,” Rachana says. “The National Association feels that this is a very strong program and one that everybody can learn from, not just locally but regionally and nationally as well. We try to make things as valuable and accessible to our community and our advocates as possible.”
Ultimately, NAWIC’s goal is to ensure that, within the construction industry, everyone is part of the conversation. That dialogue begins within NAWIC but extends far beyond it — ensuring women’s voices are amplified and their futures within the North American construction industry continue to strengthen.
