Page 34 - CCD-Mag-Summer-Fall-2020

Standing L to R: Mary Morissette, Principal, Hord Coplan Macht; Karla Nugent, Development Officer, Weifield Group Contracting; Dana Hougland, Principal, Shen Milsom & Wilke LLC ; Victoria Hatfield, Marketing and Strategic Planning Leader, Hord Coplan Macht; Deborah Snyder, Subsurface Utility Engineering Group Lead, Goodbee & Associates; Tristin Gleason, EVP of Development at SDV, Corp. Kneeling Front Row: Sandra Scanlon, PE, Senior Director Airport Infrastructure Management Development; Victoria (Tori) L. Donovan, Attorney, Kutak Rock LLP.
Over the past 10 years a small group of highly motivated professional women have quietly been reaching out to “pay it forward” through
mentoring, training and providing networking opportunities to the AEC industry.
KAWLG (or Kick Ass Women’s Leadership Group) began with a few industry professionals wondering how they could help other women in our industry thrive as well. Over a couple of glasses of wine, they decided to start their own leads group, and KAWLG was created. Starting as a project lead sharing group, the group added several new members and shortly expanded their focus from leads to leadership, but their commitment to connections, collaboration and community has remained the central focus of their activities over the last decade. (It is even the tag line of their awesome temporary tattoo; see page 42)
The group hosts several annual activities, including professional development, mentoring, networking
and industry celebration events. While all the KAWLG members are experienced AEC professionals, they are committed to helping other women face their challenges
together with a hand up and word of encouragement,
as well as sage advice from those who have been there before. Through guest speakers and KAWLG speakers, topics for mentoring have included: Uncommon Leadership, Polishing your Professional Diamond and The Gift. The group has also conducted sessions on business topics such as succession planning, HR and the legalese of social networking.
Over the past 8 years the group has also hosted an Industry Networking night, which is open to anyone in the AEC industry. While a great social gathering, for the past
5 years this event has also served to give back to young girls in need as an industry fundraiser for Hope House of Colorado (www.hopehousecolorado.org). The alignment of KAWLG’s and Hope House mission, to empower females of all ages to reach their potential and break through barriers, has created a long-term connection with the women in KAWLG.
If you would like to add your name to the mailing list for future KAWLG events, email: KAWLG2010@gmail.com
34 | Colorado Construction & Design
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