Leading the Future of Construction
Aggie women are shaping projects and opening doors for the next generation.
When Joy Smith ’00 walks a job site, she does so as the owner and CEO of Seigga Group, but she still remembers when that confidence had to be earned.
“I think in the beginning I was spending a lot of time proving that you belong at the table,” Smith said. Smith’s experience reflects the cultural barriers and economic challenges imposed by a historically exclusive industry.
According to data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), while women represent nearly half of the total U.S. labor force, they account for only 11 percent of total employment in the construction sector. This significant underrepresentation meant that women entering the field often faced skepticism unrelated to their technical skills.
For construction firms today, addressing this imbalance is an essential business strategy for accessing a wider pool of talent and ensuring long-term competitiveness in a skilled labor market.
At Texas A&M University, the Construction Science program is leading that change. Through rigorous coursework, ethics-driven training, and a strong network of industry leaders, the program prepares women to step confidently into management and executive roles.
Featured in a recent College of Architecture blog, these efforts are already shaping a more inclusive and resilient future for the construction industry.
Overcoming Barriers
Rachel Delino ’08, a senior project manager and process excellence manager at JE Dunn, recalls being one of the few women on her early project sites. With a background in interior design and a master’s degree in construction management from Texas A&M, she quickly proved her technical capability, but culture — not competence — was the biggest obstacle.
“I was frequently mistaken for a secretary,” Delino explained. “People used to wear long work hours like a ‘badge of honor.’ That attitude made it hard to maintain balance and often discouraged women from seeing construction as a sustainable, long-term career.”
After her first child, Delino left full-time project work. Months later, her company offered her a rare, part-time, flexible role that was completely unheard of at the time. That decision not only brought her back but also helped JE Dunn retain and grow experienced talent.
Delino’s career has since evolved into a senior role focused on training, process improvement, and technology, a strategic model for how flexibility can strengthen retention and leadership pipelines.
Company Leaders for Projects and Culture
The new generation of Aggie alumni demonstrates how diverse leadership directly improves project delivery and workplace culture.
“Sometimes the female touch and mindset is just what a project needs,” said Lauren Kuecker ’12, project manager at Forney Construction.
Kuecker recalled a recent healthcare project where her team emphasized patient-centered design, creating spaces that were functional for staff yet welcoming for patients and visitors. The result was a more efficient, human-focused environment that improved satisfaction across the board.
Companies are increasingly recognizing this value. Beyond technical excellence, women bring management styles that prioritize communication and collaboration, traits that drive performance and client trust.
That professional credibility is amplified by the Aggie Network, which many describe as a career accelerator.
“Everywhere you turn, there are Aggies in this world,” said Hailee Browning ’16, superintendent at Linbeck. She added that on her current project, four of six team members are Texas A&M alumni.
“As soon as they know that you’re an Aggie, you’re automatically friends, and they’re going to help you out with whatever you need,” Browning said.
For Tara Moore ’17, also a project manager at Linbeck, leadership means more than technical command; it’s about clear communication and decisive action. “Talk more, say more, and trust your gut,” she said. “In construction, silence can allow small issues to turn into costly mistakes. It’s our responsibility to speak up.”
Shaping the Next Generation
As they advance in their careers, Aggie women are using visibility to open doors for others.
Browning admits she once resisted being a public face for women in the industry. “I really didn’t like being in the spotlight,” she said. “I wish I would have just embraced that right off the bat because you don’t understand until you get a little more mature just how much of an impact we make in this industry and to the younger generations.”
Today, she embraces that role fully. Browning founded the Handywoman Workshop, a hands-on program that teaches women basic construction skills. The initiative builds confidence with tools and techniques while showing that the industry is open to anyone willing to learn. Her goal is long-term: to spark curiosity among future builders.
“Maybe they’ll tell their daughters or granddaughters,” Browning said. “Maybe they’ll think, ‘I could do this.’”
Through their leadership, innovation, and integrity, Texas A&M’s women in construction are proving that they don’t just build structures. They build the future of the industry itself.
For Reagan Niederhaus ’24, a project engineer at Russell Marine, choosing the right company was essential. Working on complex marine projects with boat captains and scuba divers, she sees daily proof that women can thrive in any sector of construction.
“Find a company that truly invests in you and your growth as a woman in construction,” Niederhaus advised. “That’s how you build a sustainable career.”
Smith believes that women’s growing presence in construction isn’t just beneficial but essential.
“Construction is the one industry that never stopped through economic downturns and even the pandemic,” Smith added. “It’s not replaceable by AI. At the end of the day, there’s not going to be a robot out there building a building anytime soon.”
Smith said that construction remains a cornerstone of the global economy, and its future depends on a resilient workforce. Attracting and retaining talent, especially women, is not a matter of optics; it’s a strategy for long-term competitiveness.
For Aggie alumni, that exploration starts with a shared foundation of technical skill, ethics and community. “You do have a very solid foundation when you enter the industry,” Smith said. “Be proud of that and confident in it.”
Through their leadership, innovation and integrity, Texas A&M’s women in construction are proving that they don’t just build structures. They build the future of the industry itself.