The Journey to Authentic Leadership in Construction: Insights from Sarah Lawrence

As part of Women in Construction Week (March 2-8, 2026), IMAGINiT Technologies is profiling members of our team who work in the Construction part of our business. 

Sarah Lawrence, Account Executive – Construction, has worked for IMAGINiT Technologies for approximately one year. Prior to joining IMAGINiT, Sarah served as a project engineer in the Seattle area working with local general contractors, Foushee and Howard S. Wright, and started her career with a commercial painting subcontractor, Penington Painting Company.

In this blog post, Sarah shares her experiences in the construction sector and offers advice to others interested in joining this field.

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction? 
It was quite accidental. It started when I accepted an internship with College Works Painting while participating in Washington state’s Running Start program at Bellevue College. This opportunity involved going door to door, selling exterior house painting and hiring crews to produce the jobs.  

Despite being the youngest person in the internship program, I was quite successful selling $100,000 worth of exterior house painting. I managed two crews and painted 27 houses. It was a lot of hands-on work and I valued the experience gained.

Ultimately, I was recruited by Penington Painting Company, an ENR Top 20 Painting Firm, and worked with some of the biggest contractors in the Pacific Northwest. My role at PPC gave me a lot more exposure to the industry allowing me to discover that my values align seamlessly with construction—grit, hard work, the pride in building something that matters, the value of gaining experience and life-long learning. I truly enjoyed my career in construction, managing projects, collaborating with project teams, and seeing all the effort that goes into delivering a successful project. 

Can you share your journey getting started and did you face any obstacles?
In the beginning, I experienced some challenges entering a male-dominated industry. Being on a smaller team, I was the only woman in operations, and one of the youngest members of the team having just graduated high school. Often showing up to jobsites and project meetings as the only woman in the room. 

Although I didn’t have any other women as peers or role models, I had a very supportive male mentor who encouraged me to push myself out of my comfort zone and gave me a lot of responsibility. As I managed projects, I felt I needed to lean into a more masculine leadership style to be taken seriously, however that approach felt inauthentic to me. Over time, finding my authentic leadership style that leverages my strengths has been important to me. Even though my contributions may look different than those of my male counterparts, they’re still valuable to the success of a project. 

Have you faced any gender-related challenges in the industry? If so, how did you navigate them?
I felt I’ve been underestimated for showing up authentically, leaning into my femineity, and my optimistic demeanor. Feeling the same pressure many women feel in the industry of having to prove yourself. There is a growing realization in construction that we all have something to contribute, valuing different backgrounds and experiences contributing to diversity of thought. 

What changes have you seen in the industry regarding diversity and inclusion? 
I’m seeing more contracting firms lean into diversity, and recognizing the value of diversity of thought and how we can collectively contribute to the success of our projects. While working for Howard S. Wright/Balfour Beatty, a larger global general contractor, there were many more women represented on their teams. HSW/BB recognized the importance of creating spaces for their affinity groups, I served as the Chair of the company’s Connecting Women’s group. This group created a space for women to not only strengthen our relationships with one another, but also offer support and guidance as we navigated challenges within our careers. 

While not every firm has the resources to support groups like Connecting Women, there are associations that support women in the industry. Like National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and The ProShop. 

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in construction? 
Recognize the importance to find community, build relationships you can leverage as you navigate the industry. I have found great value in participating in the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), serving on the Construction Leadership Committee (CLC) in Washington and nationally. The CLC provided a network of peers, both men and women, that were emerging leaders in the industry. The relationships I have built have been invaluable, many of whom I can seek guidance and advice from in my own career. I’ve also appreciated the opportunities for growth and leadership development during my continued service with the AGC.

How can companies better support and encourage more women to enter and thrive in the construction industry?
While it’s important to have spaces specifically for women, I’ve always felt men should be invited to those conversations to understand how they can be advocates for women on their teams and within their organizations. Through my own experience of having mentors and advocates, they’ve been able to help me overcome obstacles, encourage me to participate in settings that felt overwhelming, always embracing my strengths and contributions as an individual, especially as I’ve learned to lean into my authentic leadership. 

We’re starting to see more women pursue careers in construction, increasing by 45% in the last decade, with 39% of women in leadership roles. As we continue to have more women represented in the industry, I feel the future is bright for women entering the industry.

For the trailblazers and women with tenured careers in this industry, we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to support those stepping into construction. By serving as a resource, mentor, and advocate, we can encourage and empower women as they navigate this space. Always supporting one another and lifting each other up.