Throughout the construction industry, more women are stepping into leadership, managing complex projects and earning their place at decision-making tables. What once felt isolating now feels collective.

That shift is visible here at DRMP, especially within our Construction Services team. As a senior vice president and construction services director at DRMP, I have the privilege of working alongside strong, accomplished women who lead in the field, make difficult decisions, and show up every day with professionalism and grit. They don’t ask for special treatment. They simply do the work, and they do it exceptionally well.

The growing presence of women in construction leadership is clear at Northwest Florida Construction Career Days (CCD). Just this month, I had the opportunity to attend the 6th Annual CCD, which welcomed more than 1,200 high school juniors and seniors – the largest turnout yet. CCD introduces students to a wide range of career opportunities within the construction industry, whether they plan to pursue a degree or enter the workforce directly.

The Early Days of CCD

The first planning meeting for CCD was held in 2017, with the inaugural event scheduled for October 2018. Hurricane Michael forced its cancellation, and the first event ultimately took place in April 2019, hosting 609 students. I vividly remember a school board member touring the event that year and commenting on the number of women from the industry present. They had expected construction to look mostly male but instead saw women throughout the site, many in leadership roles. They remarked how impactful that visibility would be for students, especially young girls, because it allowed them to see a future they may not have previously considered.

At the time, I knew I was surrounded by capable, accomplished women, but it hadn’t fully struck me just how many there were and how influential they were to the event’s success.

COVID created another pause, but the team rallied and hosted the next event in April 2022 with 601 students in attendance. Since then, the event has been held for five consecutive years, and in February 2026, it reached its largest turnout to date. The growth has been remarkable – not just in numbers, but in impact.

Pictured (L-R): DRMP Construction Services Area Leader Elizabeth Graham, PE, and FDOT Milton Operations Engineer Heather Baril, PE  

This year, it was impossible not to recognize the steady leadership of CCD co-chairs Elizabeth Graham, PE, a DRMP construction services area leader, Heather Baril, PE, Milton operations engineer for Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 3. Elizabeth has been instrumental, bringing energy, organization, and exceptional excellence to the event. Heather has been a leader of the CCD effort since its inception, guiding it through hurricane disruptions, pandemic cancellations, and schedule shifts, including moving this year’s event up by two months. Through it all, she has demonstrated calm resilience and a long-term vision for community impact. Together, Elizabeth and Heather have inspired and unified a community of volunteers into what has become a truly transformative event.

As FDOT District Geotechnical Materials Engineer and longtime CCD collaborator Gabe Camposagrado said:

“I have had the pleasure of working with Liz and Heather since our first CCD planning days in 2017. Whether it’s cutting zip ties, stuffing goodie bags, or conducting TV interviews, no task is too mundane or insurmountable for them. Their calm and steadfast leadership enabled us to hold our largest event ever this year.”

Pictured (L-R): Gabe Camposagrado, Heather Baril, and Elizabeth Graham 

That kind of leadership doesn’t happen by accident. It is built over years of showing up, doing the small things well, and keeping the bigger mission in focus.

Beyond the co-chairs, numerous committees – Equipment, Food, School Coordination, and more – are led by women. When I look around the event site, I see men and women both stepping in to get the job done. There is no debate about who “should” be doing what. There is simply a shared commitment to serve the students and support one another.

Reflections on a Career in Construction

With more than 15 years in the construction industry, including the past 12 spent growing alongside DRMP, I’ve experienced opportunities and obstacles that can come with building a career in a male-dominated field. There have been moments when I felt the need to work harder to prove myself. I’ve heard comments suggesting a promotion came along because I’m a woman. I’ve been asked at company events what my husband does for the company, as if that were the more natural explanation for my presence.

Those moments can sting.

But they are not the full story.

The full story is this: I am here because I am capable. The women I work alongside are here because they are capable. We lead projects, we solve problems, we mentor young professionals, and we contribute meaningfully to our teams and the industry. We are not placeholders. We are not exceptions. We are good enough, and our work speaks for itself.

Pictured (L-R): Elizabeth Graham and Erica Jernigan 

It’s pride.

It’s a swelling, unapologetic, “Yes, I am a woman in construction.”

During Women in Construction Week, I am proud of what the women around me are accomplishing in their careers. I am proud of the visibility we provide to the next generation. And I am deeply grateful for the men who have supported us along the way, those who have amplified our voices, treated us as peers, and made sure we felt safe and respected in every environment.

My hope is that one day, the next generation of girls won’t need a designated week to highlight women in construction because it will simply be normal.

Until then, I will keep showing up, leading with confidence, and cheering on the women who continue to raise the standard for what leadership in construction looks like.