Women Construction Forum Upstate SC

Congratulations to Ellie Gregory who is the 2025 recipient of our annual Women Construction Forum Scholarship! Greenville Technical College has amazing undergraduate Programs in Construction and Architecture, as well as an amazing Welding Department, and all of these Programs are producing WORK READY men and women! When you are looking for interns and/or employees in Construction, Architecture, or Welding, please contact Rachel Veltri or Casey Ross, the Program Director of Welding and we will be happy to connect you with students who are eager to be placed with companies where they can learn, grow, and excel! #workready #greenvilletechicalcollege #womenconstructionforum

"Girls can do Anything!" Dream big 🚀 Shoot for the stars 💫 Endless possibilities 💥 Check out this cool video David Junker captured of the female welders at Greenville Technical College ~ welding kit donation. Casey Ross 🙏🏻 thank you for being such a great teacher - those students truly see that you value each of them. #wicweek #girlpower #girlscandoanything #femalewelders Rachel Veltri Gwen Sollenberger, PE Natasha Sexton, RLA Laurie Gregory Tori Wallace-Babcock Catalina Miller, PhD Christi Powell Marissa Bischoff Sri Malireddi Angela Gardner Rachelle Beckner, EMBA Miranda Baladi Terrance Shearn Kelvin Byrd Ray Lattimore, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

The faces of Women Construction Forum in Upstate, SC are many and these are a few. We started off small, but we have grown to embrace women from companies all over Upstate, SC. Women in Construction, Women in Architecture and Women in Engineering, there are many paths to this industry. When we began in 2019, we heard the same theme from many women, "I felt like I had been on an island for years." By celebrating Women in Construction Week each year, we are reminding other women that there is a place for Women in Construction and if you are in Upstate, SC, then we hope you will consider meeting the members of Women Construction Forum. We welcome you to join us for a moment, for a year, or for the next 10 years, whatever you find helpful to EMPOWER, ENGAGE, or MENTOR you along your journey. #womeninconstructionweek #womenconstructionforum #womeninconstruction

Women in 'Welding' 🎉 we CELEBRATE you today! 2nd year donating a "Welding Kit" to a Female Student at Greenville Technical College in the welding program. This is a lifelong journey for us all, and we should keep "building women up all year round." Rachel and Angela started this group hoping they could create a group where...... ☑️ women could not feel alone ☑️ women could go into schools to share about being a female in a male-populated workforce ☑️ someday, give away scholarships. We couldn't do any of this without our fabulous members and the support of our community. Thank you, Casey Ross and GTC Welding Dept., for letting us come in and take some awesome pictures with your Female Welding Students. They are INCREDIBLE! We know they will be sought after - probably - before they even graduate. 📸 Thank you 🙏🏻 David Junker, for capturing the perfect shot and many more!!! #womeninconstruction #wicweek #womenwelders #womeninwelding #donation #greenvilletechnicalcollege

Women in Construction Week starts now! Women Construction Forum (WCF) began 6 years ago when two women, Rachel Veltri with Neves Construction Services and Angela Gardner with Hill Electric Company, Inc, had a mission to create a space where Women in Construction could EMPOWER, ENGAGE, and MENTOR other women in Upstate, SC. The group started with Women in Construction and grew to include Women in Engineering and Women in Architecture. The goal was to keep the group small enough to share stories about in the field experiences, while encouraging an environment where women could EMPOWER each other, ENGAGE on a regular basis, and MENTOR women coming into our industries. WCF has alliances with Upstate County School Districts, Community Colleges, and Universities. Members engage with young women in predominately male programs by holding panel meetings throughout the year, addressing topics helpful to women heading towards various career paths. During 2023 and 2024 WCF gave over 70% of membership fees received as scholarships to Women in Construction programs at Greenville Technical College! We want to start off this week by saying THANK YOU to our amazing WCF members who share our vision of giving back to others by EMPOWERING women in this community! We encourage others to start or find a TRIBE that works for you! #womeninconstruction #womenconstructionforum #womeninconstructionweek2025

Cowboy Line Dancing! We need breaks from work. We especially need this in the busy and demanding world of construction. ❤️🏗️ Reasons to have fun with friends: ☑️ Recharge and Reduce Stress: Taking time off to have fun helps recharge your batteries, reducing stress and preventing burnout from the demanding nature of construction work. ☑️ Fosters Creativity: Enjoyable activities outside of work can spark new ideas and creative problem-solving skills, which can translate into innovative approaches on the job. ☑️ Builds Stronger Relationships: Socializing and engaging in fun activities strengthen bonds with friends, family, and colleagues, creating a supportive network that benefits personal and professional life. ☑️ Promotes Work-Life Balance: Embracing fun outside of work reinforces a healthy work-life balance, ensuring you enjoy life’s moments while still excelling in your career. Go out and grab a friend/s ~ have some fun 👯 go "Cowboy Line Dancing!" #wic #womenconstructionforum #wicfriends #funoutsidework #cowboylinedancing

When women feel a genuine sense of belonging at work, it's not just about fitting in—it’s about thriving. 🎉 Feeling valued and included empowers women to bring their full, authentic selves to the table, which leads to better problem-solving, greater innovation, and improved job satisfaction. It means having mentors, allies, and supportive colleagues who recognize women's unique challenges and celebrate their contributions. When workplaces actively foster inclusion, they create environments where every voice is heard, paving the way for transformative change and collective success. A strong sense of belonging ultimately benefits everyone and strengthens the organization by cultivating a culture of trust, resilience, and mutual growth. 📸 Brilliant Women in Construction 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Gwen Sollenberger, PE at Bunnell-Lammons Engineering Hope Sickels at Morgan Corp. Marissa Bischoff at Coln Construction LLC Makayla Simpson at Messer Construction Co. Christi Powell at 84 Lumber Arianne Baptiste at Hogan Construction Group Heather Poiry Hopkins at Wingspan Performance Angela Schmidt at Forge Construction Loralee Wauchope at Salle Custom Contracting Inc Catalina Miller, PhD at Michelin Miranda Baladi at Fluor Corporation Rachel Veltri at Neves Construction Services Angela Gardner at Hill Electric Company, Inc Rishitha Nelli CSM Graduate at Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development #WomenInConstruction #BelongingAtWork #InclusiveCulture #womensupportingwomen #wic

What is the response we hear the most from Women in Construction? "I feel like I am on an Island!" 🎉 Let's change this TOGETHER. 🎉 As we continue to celebrate "Mentor Month" and do it throughout the year. We asked our WCF members at our recent luncheon: 1️⃣ Are you a mentor, or like to have a mentor? 2️⃣ What advice would you give to the next generation? Responses: Gwen Sollenberger, PE (BLE - engineering) 🌟 Mentors 2 "If you are in school and want to work in construction, go out and get a job working in construction, even if it's shoveling dirt. You will learn from others and learn what you want or do not want to do." Rachel Veltri (Neves Construction) 🌟 Several mentees "Be patient, Be kind, there are many paths to one destination." Jackie Murray (Marsh Bell Construction) 🌟 8 Superintendents "Laugh every day and Enjoy the job, or you will drive yourself crazy, life is too short." Catalina Miller, PhD (Michelin) 🌟 Would love to mentor (looking for mentees) "It's okay not to have all the answers." Hope Sickels (Morgan Corp) 🌟 Would love to mentor or find a mentor! "Keep an open mind. Make sure to express your interest." Magdalene Khan (Morgan Corp) "Ask as many questions as possible. Keep growing and learning." Christi Powell (84 Lumber) 🌟 Mentoring several and has a mentor! "Offer a hand to whoever asks for help. There are no closed doors." Kim Bos (UES - engineering) Best for Last!!!! 🌟 She has a mentor and would love to mentor others! "Network in meaningful ways and be open-minded ~ even with trusted competitors. Women supporting women in our industry can only take you further in your career. Mine and Gwen's 👆🏻 friendship is a shining example." "If you are willing and have spare time (it doesn't take much time), become a mentor ~ It will bring you so much satisfaction! There are so many who still need mentors. If you are looking at this industry or new to it, ask someone to mentor you!" ~ Rachel and Angela, Founders of WCF Upstate SC #womenconstructionforum #womeninconstruction #womenengineers #womenincivil #womensupportingwomen

What is the response we hear the most from Women in Construction? "I feel like I am on an Island!" 🎉 Let's change this TOGETHER. 🎉 As we continue to celebrate "Mentor Month" and do it throughout the year. We asked our WCF members at our recent luncheon: 1️⃣ Are you a mentor, or like to have a mentor? 2️⃣ What advice would you give to the next generation? Responses: Gwen Sollenberger, PE (BLE - engineering) 🌟 Mentors 2 "If you are in school and want to work in construction, go out and get a job working in construction, even if it's shoveling dirt. You will learn from others and learn what you want or do not want to do." Rachel Veltri (Neves Construction) 🌟 Several mentees "Be patient, Be kind, there are many paths to one destination." Jackie Murray (Marsh Bell Construction) 🌟 8 Superintendents "Laugh every day and Enjoy the job, or you will drive yourself crazy, life is too short." Catalina Miller, PhD (Michelin) 🌟 Would love to mentor (looking for mentees) "It's okay not to have all the answers." Hope Sickels (Morgan Corp) 🌟 Would love to mentor or find a mentor! "Keep an open mind. Make sure to express your interest." Magdalene Khan (Morgan Corp) "Ask as many questions as possible. Keep growing and learning." Christi Powell (84 Lumber) 🌟 Mentoring several and has a mentor! "Offer a hand to whoever asks for help. There are no closed doors." Kim Bos (UES - engineering) Best for Last!!!! 🌟 She has a mentor and would love to mentor others! "Network in meaningful ways and be open-minded ~ even with trusted competitors. Women supporting women in our industry can only take you further in your career. Mine and Gwen's 👆🏻 friendship is a shining example." "If you are willing and have spare time (it doesn't take much time), become a mentor ~ It will bring you so much satisfaction! There are so many who still need mentors. If you are looking at this industry or new to it, ask someone to mentor you!" ~ Rachel and Angela, Founders of WCF Upstate SC #womenconstructionforum #womeninconstruction #womenengineers #womenincivil #womensupportingwomen

We are thrilled for our peer and friend, Gwen Sollenberger, PE, for her leadership in opening the Bunnell-Lammons Engineering office in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She is a #RockStarEngineer #congratulations #engineeringfirm #geotechnical #environmental #constructionmaterials #womensupportingwomen #buildbrighterfuture