News + Ideas

Women remain an underused demographic in the construction industry, representing just 13%. Women’s History Month and Women in Construction Week are marked every March to honor women’s contributions to society and celebrate their achievements, and we are proud to support the careers of women across the board, from trainees to leadership roles, through empowerment, mentorship, and inclusion.

‘Together We Rise’—this year’s Women in Construction Week theme—celebrates women’s strength and the knowledge they bring to the table. At MGAC, we are surrounded by women who show expertise, offer guidance, and add value to our teams every single day. Through the meaning of ‘Together We Rise’ and the Women’s History Month theme of ‘Moving Forward Together: Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,’ we would like to highlight how our colleagues are laying the foundation for other women to follow in their footsteps in the construction industry.

Stanislava Dobreva is a Project Manager in our Los Angeles office, and in 2023, along with fellow Project Manager Lexie Mayewski, founded MGAC’s inaugural Employee Resource Group—Women’s Initiative Network (WIN). “Our mission was to create a dedicated space where women could connect across offices, share their unique journeys, and empower one another to reach new career heights,” says Stanislava. Since its launch, the WIN leadership team now consists of six women spread across our global offices. WIN is a vibrant platform where monthly meetings foster dialogue, mentorship, and the sharing of success stories from external female leaders. Stanislava continued: “This commitment not only enriches our roles at MGAC, but also reinforces our firm’s dedication to amplifying women’s voices and shaping a more inclusive future for the construction industry.” Lexie added, “Being a woman in construction at MGAC (where our minority numbers skyrocket above the global average) means you are in a tight-knit group but also not vying for the attention of one woman in power. We all have some power. And the magic is when we get to share that.”

‘Moving Forward Together: Women Educating & Inspiring Generations’ highlights the importance of mentorship and the presence of an aspirational figure, particularly in the construction industry where women are underrepresented. Radhika Sathy is a Director in our London office, with over 25 years of cost management experience. She has shared how the industry has changed over time and how vital mentorship has been in her career: “After many years in this industry, I have noticed significant changes from the male-dominated industry it was when I first joined. I am no longer the lone female sitting around a project team table. I have been fortunate to have had mentors and champions all through my career, who made me ignore any noise and negativity, so I always focused on doing my job well. My best advice is to always listen, learn, and engage, recognizing that we are all equal—there is no reason a woman can’t do any roles in any industry.

When I started, I hoped that in ten years, it would no longer seem unusual to see a woman on a construction site and that the industry would be a place that women would want to be part of, and this has most definitely happened. As an older professional, it is warming to still see women encourage, support, and empower other women in all workplaces.”

We will continue to reflect on the achievements of women at MGAC and ensure everyone feels included, empowered, and are offered the same opportunities in career growth and leadership.