Each year, Women in Construction (WIC) Week – led by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) – creates space to celebrate the contributions of women across the industry while also calling attention to the work still ahead. It’s both a recognition of progress and a reminder that a more inclusive, supportive industry doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through intention, advocacy, and everyday action.
At Architecture Advantage, we took time this week to pause and reflect together. The women of our firm gathered in our Duluth office to virtually attend the joint SMPS Twin Cities + NAWIC Minneapolis-St. Paul #164 event, Building Internal Culture: Bridging the Gap Between Messaging and Reality, led by Taylor Boileau, Scheduling Engineer at Ryan Companies, Inc. and founder of Empower Her 365 LLC. The conversation explored a familiar tension between how organizations talk about culture and how it’s actually experienced, challenging us to think about how that gap can be meaningfully addressed.
We carried that conversation into lunch at At Sara’s Table, a fellow woman-owned business in Duluth, where the discussion became more personal. We reflected on the culture of the A/E/C industry, the varied experiences women bring to these spaces, and the small, often behind-the-scenes actions that can lead to real change over time. Progress doesn’t always come from sweeping gestures; more often, it’s built through consistency, accountability, and showing up for one another.
While a few of our team members couldn’t join us, the conversation reflected the strength of the women across our firm. Every day, they contribute not only to the success of our projects, but to a culture that is grounded in openness, trust, and a genuine commitment to doing right by each other and our communities.
WIC Week is a moment to celebrate, but it’s also a call to keep going. By listening closely, making space for different perspectives, and following through on what we say matters, we continue shaping an industry that better reflects the people it serves.
