5 minute read
by Carolyn Whyte, Carolyn Whyte Research & Writing
DRIVING CHANGE THROUGH CULTURAL LEADERSHIP
— two leaders paving the way
by Carolyn Whyte
Freelance Writer, Carolyn Whyte Research & Writing
NAWIC’s 25th Anniversary provides a significant opportunity to reflect on the progress of women in construction and to consider how we accelerate momentum. There is no single way to be a woman in construction and no single innovation that will advance gender equality in our industry. Instead, we will get there through multiple interventions that encourage sustained cultural change.
I NEED TO SEE YOU
Marian Wright Edelman, African American educator and President of the Children’s Defence Fund, coined the phrase “It’s hard to be what you can’t see” concerning children’s books and the interconnected impacts of representation. It feels like a piece of logic you’ve innately always known, but Edelman only wrote it in 2015. One woman’s words of profound logic have quickly become accepted wisdom. In this example we see that social innovations occur through the creation of access to unconsidered ideas that have the power to topple prevailing norms and biases. This cannot happen alone, you need a sponsor and confidant to motivate and challenge you. The work being undertaken at Built Victoria by two key construction industry leaders and allies: Jennifer Marks, Director - Victoria, and Monica Fontaine, Construction Manager and Health Sector Lead, provides an example for young women in construction. The pair have established a self-initiated partnership that could not have previously existed for either woman during their combined experience of over 45 years. They are unified in the objective of improving gender equality in the construction industry and supporting women who love the challenges of construction, as much as they do, to progress unhindered and surpass their own achievements. Jen and Mon are digging through decades of industry experience to learn from the many moments that make a career, transforming what they have learned into actions and advice towards the retention, recruitment and improved parity for women in construction. They share a passion and rare expertise in the technical and operational aspects of their profession. As business leaders their visibility includes promoting values that focus on ‘authenticity’, ‘effort’ and ‘innovation’, rather than just results, to encourage a more inclusive working environment. Jen and Mon have been driving forces behind their organisation doubling the industry average of women across all levels of the business. Spurred on by the 2021 International Women’s Day theme #choosetochallenge Jen is pushing targets higher, setting bold goals of minimum 25% women across all levels of decision making by 2024. Considering that less than 10% of people entering construction are women and that women leave the industry at a rate 39% faster than men, Jen understands the challenges but with the support of her organisation she is ready to overcome them.
Jennifer Marks and Monica Fontaine
Claire Gilbert, Salvation Army
I WILL HELP YOU GET THERE
Mon spent the majority of her career as the most senior woman wherever she worked. With just 13% of managers in the industry being women, she had rarely worked with, or been mentored by senior women, and at times felt isolated. When Jen projected a pathway for Mon, it was the first time she was being encouraged by a senior woman. This enhanced her belief that the pathway was real and possible. Both women have progressed at Built independently of one another however, they are unified towards advancing gender equality at the societal, industry, organisational and individual levels. Each recognising the interconnectedness of each realm towards creating broader cultural change, understanding that pockets of equality will not support us all. “I have spent my entire career with a reporting structure that was void of any women, not having any women in senior roles at those businesses to look up to for support or mentoring. I was never looking to leave where I was working, but Jen convinced me to have a coffee to just have a chat about building the health sector at Built. It stands out as a real pivotal moment in my career that just continues to offer me opportunities to grow as a leader in this industry and hopefully be visible enough so other women see it as a viable industry to work in.” Mon demonstrates leadership that empowers women in the Built graduate program, across the industry and also in the community, where she ensures that her impact extends beyond the traditional metrics of project success. In partnering with the Salvation Army Youth Services, who provide programs like ‘Tools of the Trade’, Mon has implemented initiatives and leveraged networks to provide financial support and opportunities for disadvantaged young women to experience what a career in construction could offer.
MEASURING UP THE CHALLENGE
Jen and Mon belong to an organisation that wants to take steps to realise gender equality, is willing to face them and listen to how substantive improvements can be made. Both women are crafting a strategy to attract the best talent and support progression for the amazing women they are already lucky to be working with. Towards this goal, Jen is championing the implementation of a sponsorship program by Cultivate. Sponsorship is a strategic alliance between a senior leader and an emerging female leader. The research-based program, developed by Dr Natalie Galea and Katriina Tahka sees the leader invest in the success of the emerging leader by providing skills development, advocacy and support. According to Jen ‘advocacy’ is the key to success and what makes sponsorship distinct from mentoring.
GETTING THERE TOGETHER
Jen and Mon have evolved to a place where they can challenge and encourage each other and those around them to recognise that which goes unnoticed and to enact change through concrete actions. Both women recognise that the significant gender pay gap and inconsistent parental leave policies are just some of the major problems that need to be solved within construction. They see varied solutions, but agree they need to stick together and collaborate with women within, and beyond, the industry to find ways forward as well as advocating for the inclusion of women on boards and remuneration committees, as this is a crucial step in the shift towards gender equality. Women in construction represent a diverse and multidisciplinary set of professionals who are problem solvers by trade. Jen and Mon are proud to belong to a profession that accepts complexity as part of its core business. They find joy in the diversity of experiences shared by the women that they mentor and meet, witnessing the discovery of new skills or achieving the hard fought wins. Those are the moments that make the work of being a leader in the construction enduringly worthwhile. For Jen and Mon, those are the moments that guarantee the exciting future that exists for women in construction.
