From the Field to the Front Office: Mentorship That Builds Confidence

From the Field to the Front Office: Mentorship That Builds Confidence
In an industry where representation and inclusion are still evolving, the BuildHer Mentorship Program, launched by Building Women in Construction (BWiC), is more than a professional development initiative-- it’s a movement. BuildHer is redefining leadership by empowering women in commercial construction through meaningful communication, shared learning, and connection across generations.

Building Confidence and Culture
At its core, BuildHer is about relationships. The program doesn’t simply match mentors and mentees; it creates a structured, confidential, and supportive framework where women can articulate goals, share experiences, challenge assumptions, and grow together. Participants are grounded in SMART objectives and supported through ongoing coaching, training, and check-ins that keep their growth intentional and sustained. A SMART objective is a framework that helps achieve an objective from a conceptual goal – SMART stands for “Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.”
The fall kickoff event sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s where mentees first meet their mentors, where goals are named out loud, and where the first spark of trust is built. From there, the program unfolds through one-on-one meetings, mid-year sessions, and a spring wrap-up, each touchpoint designed to help participants reflect, recalibrate, and recognize how far they’ve come.
And the impact becomes obvious quickly.

One mentee, a first-year field engineer, shared how she was handed a daunting project that made her question whether she was truly cut out for the role. Filled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, she turned to her mentor for guidance. Together, they broke the challenge into manageable steps. Her mentor coached her through tough decisions and reminded her to trust her own insights. “There were nights I felt completely out of my depth,” the mentee admitted, “but my mentor kept reinforcing that I had earned my place here.”

With that support, she not only delivered the project successfully--she earned a promotion. More importantly, she walked away with a renewed sense of self-assurance, finally feeling like she belonged in the industry.

A Framework That Works, Evolves & Lasts
What makes BuildHer unique isn’t just that it’s repeatable or scalable; it’s that the structure is flexible enough to meet women where they are, yet strong enough to guide them toward where they want to go. Mentees are matched to their mentor based on their goals and experience, ensuring thoughtful, intentional matches. The program’s design gives each pairing the freedom to tailor their journey while staying rooted in shared expectations and accountability. And that foundation opens the door for transformation, not only for mentees, but for mentors as well.

Mentorship as a Two-Way Street
One of the most powerful insights from BuildHer is that mentorship doesn’t flow in just one direction. Mentors often enter the program expecting to share wisdom, but many leave with new perspectives, refined communication skills, and a deeper understanding of the next generation’s challenges and aspirations.

A seasoned project executive, with decades of experience, expected to be the teacher in her pairing, but was surprised to find herself learning just as much. When her mentee asked why junior staff rarely spoke up, the mentor paused. She realized that although she often shared advice, she wasn’t always inviting new ideas. “Her questions made me rethink how I lead,” the mentor reflects. “I started listening more deeply and making space for every team member.”

What began as guidance for the next generation evolved into a reciprocal journey of humility and growth, proof that leadership strengthens when we stay curious.

This dynamic is especially meaningful in construction, where traditional hierarchies can stifle innovation. BuildHer encourages vulnerability, curiosity, and mutual respect, qualities essential for building inclusive teams and resilient careers.

Small Wins, Big Impact
Success in BuildHer isn’t measured solely in promotions or completed projects. It shows up in subtler, everyday moments: a mentee raising her hand in a crowded meeting; a mentor asking more open-ended questions; two women sharing a laugh over coffee that becomes the start of a professional friendship.
One mentor–mentee duo recalled a breakthrough moment on a job site. As they walked through an active project, they encountered a critical design misalignment causing delays. While the team was stumped, the mentee quietly noticed a simple coordination tweak that could resolve the issue. Encouraged by her mentor’s “go ahead, say it” glance, she voiced her solution. It worked immediately.

For the mentee, it was a moment of courage that confirmed her voice mattered. For the mentor, it was a reminder of the power of fresh perspectives and the importance of welcoming them. That shared win became a defining moment for both mentor and mentee. Innovation thrives when experience meets open-minded curiosity.

Even when pairings face challenges, like busy schedules and shifting expectations, the BuildHer team is there to support, offering feedback, resources, and a framework that ensures participants feel seen, supported, and empowered.

A Movement with Momentum
As BuildHer continues to grow, its ambition is larger than the program itself. Yes, the structure is designed to be sustainable year after year. Yes, it has elements required to scale across companies and regions. But the true power of BuildHer lies in what it represents, a reimagining of what leadership in construction can look like.

The vision is bold. The vision is to make mentorship a cornerstone of how the industry develops talent, fosters belonging, and elevates diverse voices. Not just for women, but for anyone who has ever needed someone to say, you belong here, let’s build your path forward.

BuildHer is not simply shaping careers; it’s shaping culture. And as the program grows, so does its potential to transform the industry, one relationship, one conversation, one breakthrough moment at a time.