PORTLAND, MAINE — Strong leadership and collaboration is vital to the success of any organization. On Thursday, May 4th, 2017 Wright-Ryan celebrated these characteristics as demonstrated by a core contingent of its Employee Owners – the women of the firm.
Female team members represent nearly 15% (14.7%) of the firm’s total workforce. This figure far surpasses the national average. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, women represented only 9.1% of the total employed workforce in the construction industry in 2016.
Wright-Ryan works to create and support opportunities for women as a core element of its commitment to fostering a new generation of leaders. Today the company employs women in a wide variety of roles, including many in leadership roles. Over 45% of all women at Wright-Ryan serve in senior leadership positions.
Key Wright-Ryan team members are acting as advocates and representatives for women in the industry in the local community as well. This includes company leaders like Alyssa Parker, Director of Commercial Project Management. Parker was a panelist for the 2nd Annual Women in Construction & Project Development event hosted by Bernstein Shur in 2016. The 3rd annual event was held on May 4, 2017 from 4-6:30 PM at the Portland Country Club in Falmouth. Parker has also served as a guest lecturer supporting coursework at the University of Southern Maine.
Other female leaders at the firm are making strong contributions to the industry. Cordelia Pitman, Director of Preconstruction Services, provided commentary for the most recent ‘MEREDA Index’ released by the Maine Real Estate & Development Association at its Annual Forecast Conference in January 2017. Pitman has also been an active board member for organizations such as Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI), Architalx, and the City of Portland’s Historic Preservation Board. Suzi Benoit, Director of Human Resources, has served as an Adjunct Professor at Central Maine Community College and currently serves as an Instructor at the University of Southern Maine. Benoit has also been a contributing author for publications such as Construction Executive.
As it does annually, Wright-Ryan raised awareness for the national celebration of Women in Construction (WIC) Week, March 5-11, 2017, through its web and social media platforms. The National Association of Women in Construction leads WIC Week activities with the purpose of highlighting women as a visible component of the construction industry. WIC Week also provides an occasion to raise awareness for the opportunities available to women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry. Wright-Ryan hosts a separate celebration each year. This year’s event featured a reception with remarks by company President, John Ryan, followed by a series of jobsite tours for the firm’s female team members.
About Wright-Ryan
Founded in 1984, Wright-Ryan has delivered construction services of the highest professional standard to clients throughout northern New England for more than 30 years. The firm is proud to be 100% Employee Owned and has expertise in commercial, institutional, and residential construction as well as high-end millwork and furniture. Wright-Ryan employs highly skilled professionals and trades people and has successfully completed some of the most architecturally distinctive and challenging buildings in Maine.