Construction isn’t just about bricks, steel, and blueprints—it’s about the people who push boundaries, innovate, and transform the industry. And today, more than ever, women are leading the charge. From revolutionizing prefabrication to making job sites safer and more inclusive, these trailblazers are proving that construction is for everyone.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8), and Women in Construction Week (March 2-8, 2025), let’s turn the spotlight on six incredible women who are shaping the future of construction. Their stories inspire change, challenge norms, and show what’s possible when you break barriers.
1. Amy Marks: The Queen of Prefab
When it comes to prefab and modular construction, Amy Marks is a force to be reckoned with. Known as the “Queen of Prefab”, she has dedicated her career to revolutionizing industrialized construction. Her mission is to make construction faster, smarter, and more efficient through prefabrication and modular methods.
As SVP of Innovation at Compass Datacenters, she drives industrialized construction, digital innovation, and sustainability. With 20+ years of experience, she’s also influenced major industry shifts through her work at Symetri, Autodesk, and as CEO of XSite Modular, where she pioneered prefab solutions and advancing digital adoption in construction.
It’s Amy’s ability to see the bigger picture that fuels her drive for transformation. On the WDBE Talks podcast, she challenged the industry to rethink how it uses data: “We have to change our mindset to the data being the most important thing. It needs a place outside of the model so we can track, reuse, and make better decisions with it. That’s how we drive reusability, sustainability, and innovation.”
With bold ideas and relentless drive, Amy isn’t just talking about the future of construction—she’s building it.
2. Bethany Holroyd: Championing Safer Worksites & Future Talent
"The construction industry is estimated to be around 16% female, with the H&S industry sat at around 21%—I want to show young girls that they have a place in this industry too."
That’s what Bethany Holroyd told The Yorkshire Post, and she’s proving it every day. Over the last 14 years, she has made a lasting impact on the industry, leading cultural change and enhancing safety across job sites. A Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH), Bethany’s work goes beyond protecting workers—she’s inspiring young people to see construction as a career with real opportunities.
She’s also a best-selling author. Her book, The Safety Superhero, introduces kids to workplace safety while challenging gender stereotypes—showing just how important representation is from an early age. Named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction 2024”, Bethany is shaping the future of construction by advocating for diversity, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers, and apprenticeships, ensuring the next generation steps into a safer, more welcoming workforce. Her advice for anyone facing challenges? "Just keep going." Because progress takes persistence—and she’s not stopping anytime soon.
3. Bex Fellows: Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Construction
Bex Fellows is a Senior Brand Executive at On the Tools, the UK’s largest online trades community. Originally drawn to construction through media production, they have since become a powerful voice for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the industry.
Recently named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction and a London Construction Award winner, Bex is using media to amplify the voices of tradespeople and push for a more inclusive industry. On social media, they shared: “We want to give UK tradespeople the incredible treatment they deserve, highlight the issues they care about, and bolster diversity and inclusion. This one goes out to the trade."
Their work on the Women on The Tools white paper shined a light on systemic issues tradeswomen face and advocated for better facilities and supportive policies. Bex also champions LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse representation in construction, spearheading campaigns that foster inclusive workplaces. Through initiatives like Closing the Gap, they are tackling the industry’s skills shortage head-on, using media to push for industry-wide collaboration.
By breaking down barriers and challenging the status quo, Bex is helping reshape construction into a more equitable space for everyone.
4. Carlene Goodearl: Building Better Communities for Retirement Living
Carlene Goodearl rise in construction has been meteoric. Initially pursuing law, she found her true calling on construction sites and was managing multi-million-pound projects by age 23.
Today, in her senior leadership role, Carlene oversees all onsite construction activities at Rangeford Villages, successfully delivering more than 200 new homes and central facilities for the retirement living community. She has played a key role in joint ventures and funding agreements, driving innovation in care-based housing solutions.
Beyond her corporate success, Carlene is a dedicated mentor for young women in construction. She sits on the board of Women in Social Housing (WISH) South East and serves as an ambassador for Women in Retirement Living (WIRL). Her commitment to mentorship and advocacy is empowering more women to thrive in construction and helping to open doors for the next generation of female leaders in the industry.
5. Jean Brownhill: Making Quality Home Renovation Accessible
Jean Brownhill has redefined the home renovation industry by making quality construction accessible to everyday homeowners. An architect by training, she began her career working on high-end Hamptons homes, but her own remodeling challenges inspired her to create a more transparent and stress-free renovation experience. In 2011, she launched Sweeten, a platform that connects homeowners with trusted contractors. With nearly $3.5 billion in construction projects in its pipeline, Sweeten is setting a new standard in the industry.
Known as “The Contractor Whisperer,” Jean bridges the gap between homeowners and builders, ensuring renovations are smoother and more reliable. As she puts it, “My passion [is] for solving the problem of how to get high-quality construction and design resources to people who are not multi-millionaires, just people who have worked hard to buy something and make it their own.”
Through her platform and advocacy, Jean isn’t just streamlining home renovation but also fostering greater inclusivity and innovation across the industry.
6. Sarah Griffin: Driving Digital Transformation in Construction
Sarah Griffin is a strategic leader with nearly a decade of experience in telecommunications and construction program management. As Director of Construction Program Management at Conexon, LLC, she specializes in optimizing workflows, improving data transparency, and boosting efficiency for large-scale infrastructure initiatives.
Conexon, a leader in rural broadband infrastructure, faced the challenge of managing complex construction workflows. Sarah played a pivotal role in introducing digital solutions that improving efficiency, enhanced data visibility, and delivered significant cost savings. Her ability to leverage technology and data-driven strategies has transformed how projects are executed.
Sarah’s leadership and adaptability have driven her success in construction program management. By applying data-driven strategies and innovative solutions, she proves that technology and strategic planning are key to modern construction. Her story showcases that leveraging the right tools unlocks major efficiencies, savings, and industry-wide innovation—led by women like her.
Women Are Driving the Future of Construction
These women leaders are changing the game, redefining construction with their leadership, innovation, and advocacy. From prefabrication to safety, digital transformation to inclusivity, they are paving the way for a smarter, safer, and more diverse industry.
At Quickbase, we’re proud to support professionals who are driving change in construction by empowering them with technology that makes projects smarter and more efficient. As we celebrate Women in Construction Week, let’s continue to amplify the incredible contributions of women in the field. Their impact is undeniable, and their legacy will inspire the next generation of builders and innovators.
Here’s to the women building the future, one project at a time.
