The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) recently presented the 2024 Glass Hammer Award to Superior Construction, which operates throughout the Midwest and Southeast.
The award recognizes transportation construction companies with innovative programs aimed at promoting women leaders within their organizations. Superior Construction’s commitment to advancing female talent and driving innovation in the industry underscores their leadership and dedication to diversity, ARTBA said in announcing the award.
In 2022, the company launched the Superior Women in Construction (SWiC) initiative, designed in collaboration with a certified executive and team coach.
“We created the SWiC program because empowering women is essential to driving progress in the construction industry,” said Superior Construction CEO Nick Largura. “Our goal is to create more opportunities and support for women across the company as they grow into leadership roles.”
In the inaugural year, company executives selected 11 women leaders to take part in the pilot program. Participants had access to monthly group coaching on leadership topics, individual career coaching sessions, a mentor program, and opportunities to learn about various parts of the construction industry. They also completed team projects centered around creating value for Superior Construction.
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“The mentorship was especially helpful because it gave me greater access to various aspects of our company and business operations,” said SWiC member Amy Henningfield, who has been with Superior since 2011.
As part of the program, SWiC members were encouraged to volunteer with organizations working to advance and empower women in construction. Their activities included attendance at high school and university career fairs to increase awareness about roles for women in the construction industry; taking part in a non-traditional employment workshop to introduce construction career possibilities to eighth-grade girls; and speaking at an American Heart Association Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics event.
The inaugural SWiC program members graduated in fall 2023 and many of them now serve on the program’s steering committee. The second class is completing their yearlong program.
“The support Superior’s senior leadership gives the SWiC LEAD (Leaders Evolving and Developing) program enhances participant visibility,” said Sherice Rivas, Corporate Risk Manager at Superior Construction and a member of the inaugural class. “It makes you feel seen and valued. I felt empowered to share my career goals, more so than I ever had thus far in my career. There is also a strong emphasis on helping the next generation of women in construction that I really appreciate.”
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ARTBA presented this year’s Glass Hammer Awards during their national convention in Amelia Island, Florida.
