Women in construction are a growing minority—growing from 9% of industry workers in 2019 to 11% in 2021. Today, accomplished, influential women work in every sector of construction. Construction Executive checked in with three women in the construction tech space for Women in Construction Week to discuss being a leader, where contech is headed and their unique contributions to the industry: Lauren Lake, chief operating officer and co-founder of Bridgit; Allison “Alli” Scott, director of construction thought leadership for Autodesk Construction Cloud; and Alexandra McManus, chief executive officer at Eyrus, Autodesk’s newest investment.

For the full article, make sure to read the June issue of CE and flip to Workforce.

What is unique about technology in the construction industry?

Lauren Lake: A lot of technology companies take a one-size-fits-all approach with the goal of satisfying the needs of multiple industries. Essentially, the low-hanging fruit. That doesn’t work for construction. The main reason construction technology adoption would be considered slow is simply that technology companies shy away from putting all their eggs in one basket. Construction is one of the most dynamic and ever-changing industries. Contractors want (and need) tools that were designed and built specifically for construction by companies that truly understand their world and can quickly adapt to the needs of their industry.

Alli Scott: Construction is unique because it’s one of the few industries where technology has a direct and visible impact on the physical world. The technology we use in construction not only exists in digital spaces through things like data analytics or 3D models (and more) but also lives out on jobsites and has real, tangible effects. Construction technology bridges the digital and physical world and is an enabler to building the world around us in more productive and innovative ways.

Alexandra McManus: Construction is very decentralized and fragmented. Technology initiatives in the industry, and specifically those on project sites, need to be able to aggregate and consolidate dynamic data sets and then add value to simplify workflow for multiple stakeholders who often work for different entities. On a project site, for example, Eyrus will coordinate with a project owner, general contractor, hundreds of subcontractors and thousands of workers. We need to be able to provide a solution that works for that project and every other construction project, which each have their own budgets, operations and data concerns.

What do you enjoy most about leading your company?

Lake: I love that I get to have an impact in multiple ways. I get to help our customers in taking a people-first approach to their own teams, I get to provide resources and support a better work-life balance for my team, and I get to show there’s space for women to succeed in both the construction and tech industries.

Scott: As a leader in construction, I enjoy inspiring the next generation to look at how the construction industry is continuing to evolve and empower them to have their voices heard and their needs met. We will not enact positive and sustainable change in our industry without an influx of new talent who are hungry to bring their authentic selves to work, excited to employ technology and an innovative mindset, and have a passion for blending new ways of working with proven craft. As someone in a leadership position, I also look for ways to support organizations or initiatives that help promote awareness and to help folks break into this industry.

McManus: My co-founder, Hussein Cholkamy, and I are working to build a successful company that would also be a place we would want to work. It gives us the chance to promote the values we believe in: hard work, inclusivity, transparency, flexibility and a strong belief in individual empowerment. Personally, I loved that I could participate in my kids’ carpool when the school buses were shut down and let everyone know that is what I am doing. We expect everyone to work hard and be accountable, but life, especially during the pandemic, dictates that work hours might be different on different days.

If you wrote a memoir, what would you title it?

Lake: These Boots Were Made for Working (steel-toe, obviously).

McManus: I mentally often change the title of my “memoir.” Right now, it is more aspirational. Something along the lines of After Grit. I am curious and hopeful that I will be able to find a place that follows the “hard work and stress” stage of a startup where we can increase value from a stronger position.

What is on your music playlist right now?

Lake: Nothing gets the day going like a little Earth, Wind and Fire.

Scott: I have a playlist I’ve had on repeat lately called “Ladies of the 80s,” which features some favorites like Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Cyndi Lauper, The Go-Gos and more. It brings me so much encouragement and joy!

McManus: I am pretty boring with music right now. I am mostly listening to podcasts: “How I Built This,” “Crazy Money” and “The Hubberman Project” are some current favorites.