Career Pivots & Power Moves with the Women Who Lead Construction

Women in Construction Week 2026

Construction careers rarely follow a straight line — and the most impactful ones are often built through bold choices, unexpected pivots, and a willingness to invest in yourself before the path is clear.

In honor of Women in Construction Week, American Subcontractors Association of Michigan invites you to a candid luncheon conversation featuring three respected industry leaders who have built careers bigger, broader, and more influential than they originally imagined.

This is not a surface-level panel. It’s a real conversation about:

• How careers actually grow inside the construction industry
• What it takes to step into leadership (and stay there)
• When to lean in, when to pivot, and when to bet on yourself

Our panelists will share personal career stories, hard-earned lessons, and the strategies they’ve used to navigate leadership, family dynamics, visibility, and long-term fulfillment — both inside and adjacent to construction.

Panelists

Julie Byrne – President, Veneklasen Construction

Leadership, longevity, and navigating career growth alongside family dynamics in the industry.

E.B. Sonheim – Director of Marketing, Feyen Zylstra

Building influence beyond a job title, championing the connection between business and community, and modeling leadership through authentic visibility.

Jenny Waugh – Vice President of Economic Growth, Grand Rapids Chamber | Past Chair, ABC Board

Reinvention, board leadership, and what it looks like to pivot into new impact while staying rooted in construction and family business.

What You’ll Gain:

• Real insight on career pathways, not highlight reels: Hear how these leaders actually grew — including the challenges, missteps, and turning points that shaped them.
  
• Actionable advice you can apply now: From investing in yourself to finding mentors, navigating networking, and deciding when to say yes (or no).
  
• Perspective beyond job titles: Learn how leadership shows up across operations, marketing, ownership, advocacy, and community impact.
  
• Connection that lasts beyond the room: Built-in time for table conversation, shared experiences, and relationship-building with peers.