WTS-DC X MTBMA Women in Construction Panel
Written by: May Elkhattab
WTS-DC & MTBMA held a joint event on May 14, 2026 at ARTBA. The “Women in Construction” panel consisted of four women leaders who have run agencies, built companies, and delivered complicated projects. The panel consisted of Sharon Kershbaum, Director of DDOT, Melinda Peters, Partners at RKK, Teara Strum, CEO of Strum Contracting, Niqui Clark, Deputy Chief Engineer at MDOT MAA and was moderated by Michael Sakata, President and CEO of MTBMA.
One number framed the evening. Women now make up more than 11% of the construction workforce, the highest share in 20 years. Although this is progress, women remain barely represented in field and jobsite roles. Our panelists discussed women leadership and career paths in the construction industry, professional challenges women face in construction, personal challenges such as work-life balance, and strategies to support and retain the next generation of men and women in the construction industry.
Advice that these panelists would give young women? SPEAK UP * TAKE RISKS * GIVE YOURSELF GRACE * ITS OK TO BE AFRAID BUT DO IT ANYWAY * BE KIND TO YOURSELF
