Page 39 - Colorado Construction & Design Magazine - Spring 2023

Summer embraced Ale’s ideas and her commitment to be involved with the committee “at whatever capacity was needed".
“Ale Spray approached me and said she had just pitched an idea to the HCC about creating a group called Women in Leadership and wanted to know if I was interested in helping to kick off the committee as a co-chair with Lisa Larance. Ale has been a mentor of mine for about eight years now, and
I trusted her vision of what she wanted the group to be.” - Summer Westbrooks
With HCC’s full support, the trio launched their first in- person event at the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus, it was a Women in Leadership Breakfast, in January 2020. The response was overwhelming, with attendance far surpassing expectations, but soon the momentum was disrupted with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“On a personal note, I was facing a challenging situation
at that time but stepping in the auditorium and seeing that many friendly faces, the energy and love I felt was part of my healing journey.” - Ale Spray
Ale, Lisa, and Summer adjusted their approach but never steered away from their goals to bring women together and empower them. With wisdom and insight, they properly
Ale Spray - Mortenson
Ale is responsible for successfully overseeing community participation plans to maximize opportunities for small, women, minority and other diverse groups and workers on Mortenson’s projects.
Born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and resident of Colorado since 1999, Ale has 20+
years of construction experience. Throughout her career, Ale has held roles such as Project Engineer, Marketing Director, Business Development and most recently as Community Empowerment Manager.
Ale received her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Institute of Technology and Higher Studies of the West, in Guadalajara Mexico. In 2016 she became a member of the Latino Leadership Institute, a University of Denver leadership program. In 2020 received her Diversity and Inclusion certificate program thru University of Cornell, in 2021 completed the Governor’s Fellowship program and early in 2022 received her Corporate Social Responsibility certificate thru the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business, currently she is enrolled in the Leadership Denver fellowship program with the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation.
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Ale has been extremely involved in the community, holding such positions as; chairman of the board for the Hispanic Contractors of Colorado, an association that supports minority and women owned companies in the construction industry, governor appointed to the advisory council for the Colorado State Minority Business Office. Currently serving on the board of Centura Avista Adventist Hospital in Louisville, the board of Directors for Bellco Credit Union, Mile High Youth Corps, STEMblazers, Colorado Succeeds and Vice Chairwoman of the board of the Construction Education Foundation.
She has also participated in several panels sharing her story as a woman in the construction industry, career opportunities under construction, and the importance of diversity and inclusivity on public projects.
Ale was recognized as the 2018 Business Developer of the Year by the Society of Marketing Professional Services, Colorado Chapter and the 2018 Rock Star of the Rockies by the Metro North Chamber of Commerce. This year she was included in Hispanic Lifestyle’s 2022 Latinas of Influence list.
Ale is the proud mother of two teenagers and mentors young professionals; she is a fierce advocate for diversity, equity and inclusive practices for the betterment of the construction industry.
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“A few years back, Hispanic Contractors of Colorado noted the valuable contributions of women in the construction, engineering, and architectural (A/E/C) industries. These industries are not typically hubs for women; however, the professional worth women contribute within project management and implementation of procedures, leadership development, and operational organization are incredible. Women are active business- owners and executives within the A/E/C industry. Our HCC Women in Leadership - WIL Committee is the best place to connect with likeminded individuals.”
– Rosy Aburto McDonough · Executive Director Hispanic Contractors of Colorado & HCC Contractor Academy