When it comes to boosting diversity, equity and inclusion in the building industry, it will require a host of changes, starting with awareness.

Awareness comes at many levels, from minorities and young women entering the workforce seeing diversity in leadership positions, to awareness of how technology has changed women’s views and experience within the construction industry.

Stepping away from work, while we’re all sheltering at home because of the pandemic, has never been more difficult.

But a group of building executives recently shared their secrets to balancing home, family, and their professional lives, during a July 30 virtual meeting of the Women Executives in Building leadership series.

Ideas ran the gamut, from exercise and eating well to weekly mindfulness and meditation programs online. And when all else fails: One should never underestimate the power of a Zoom happy hour or Houseparty game night with friends.

Jamie Gentoso was young when she got her first taste of construction.

It was her architecture class at East Lansing High School in Michigan. One of the class projects involved designing a home for a family on a specific plot of land, using a set budget. She loved solving a complex problem with various constraints and thought architecture would be a great career path. However, her school counselor spotted her aptitude for math and science and suggested Gentoso might consider a career in engineering.

The pandemic has forced many companies into recovery and resilience.

National Institute of Building Sciences CEO Lakisha A. Woods, CAE, recently spoke with ASAE Stronger By Association podcast host Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE, about NIBS’ work for the built environment.

We’ve all got unconscious biases.

Some companies do better to keep it in check.

Amazon Web Services takes it to a new level: Before every interview, AWS managers and directors must watch a 30-minute unconscious bias video to prep prior to meeting prospective candidates.

“It’s amazing how many little biases you have,” said Sandra Benson, Worldwide Head of Engineering, Construction and Real Estate with Amazon Web Services. “This helps your head get in the space [of interviewing].”

Early in Judy Dinelle’s career, she pursued semi-professional softball. For many reasons, Dinelle walked away from that path, but among her reasons: She knew she wasn’t going to make a good living.

Today, Dinelle serves as the building ambassador for 84 Lumber Company, a woman-owned and -operated building materials supply company. Based in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, 84 Lumber manages 250 stores in 31 states and employs 5,700 people.