Gorton's’ Post

We are excited to highlight Yolie Rivera, one of our Project Coordinators during #womeninconstructionweek We asked our team members more about their careers and what it means to be a woman in construction, here's what Yolie has to say! Q: What made you get involved in the construction industry? A: "Lincoln Logs and Legos got me into building with my hands and loving the outcome" Q: What is your favorite thing about working in the construction industry? A: "People I get to work with and the seeing the final product come out of the ground." Q: How do you navigate working in a male-dominated field? A: "I have been fortunate enough to experience no discrimination as a woman or Hispanic in my 30+ career." Q: What do you do or what do you think companies do to promote inclusion and diversity in our field? A: "Treat everyone as your equal regardless of age, race, or gender as I have done over the years. We are all on the same team of success!"

🎉 Recognizing Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom and Reflection for the Construction Industry 🎉 Today, we honor Juneteenth—a pivotal moment in American history that marks the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing the news of freedom to enslaved African Americans over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Juneteenth is not just a day of celebration but a reminder of the ongoing journey toward equality and justice. Historical Perspective: Juneteenth is a testament to resilience and the relentless pursuit of freedom. It symbolizes the struggles and triumphs of African Americans and underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing systemic inequalities that still exist today. Impact on the Construction Industry: The construction industry, like many others, has a diverse workforce. Recognizing Juneteenth provides an opportunity to reflect on our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Here's how this impacts us: 1. Fostering Inclusive Work Environments: It is crucial to create workplaces where all employees feel valued and respected. This includes acknowledging and celebrating significant cultural and historical milestones in our workforce. 2. Promoting Workforce Diversity: Embracing diversity leads to stronger, more innovative teams. By actively recruiting and supporting underrepresented groups, we can build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Supporting Career Growth: Providing equal opportunities for training, advancement, and leadership development ensures that everyone, regardless of background, can thrive and contribute to the industry's growth. 3. Our Role in Addressing Systemic Inequalities: The construction industry has a significant role in creating a more inclusive society. By engaging with local communities, supporting minority-owned businesses, and participating in social justice initiatives, we can actively contribute to dismantling systemic inequalities. As we commemorate Juneteenth, let's not just celebrate the past, but also commit to shaping a more equitable future for our industry. By making meaningful changes and placing equity and inclusion at the forefront of everything we do, we can honor the spirit of Juneteenth in the construction industry. #Juneteenth #ConstructionIndustry #Diversity #Inclusion #Equity #WorkforceDevelopment

Our February #DEICandidConvo event was focused on the impact of the Supreme Court’s recent decision on affirmative action. While it may not directly impact the construction industry, the ripple effects are far-reaching, especially when considering the challenges many M/WBE companies face simply in getting started. The opportunities available to certified M/WBE firms are often not accessible until the firm has been in operation for a number of years to qualify for that certification. In the meantime, they need focused support from Owners and other industry partners who are intentionally working to help them build capacity. Once certified, M/WBE firms need a sufficient labor force to be sustainable and increasing diversity in the workforce is a critical step to make this happen. But our work doesn't stop there-- retention will only be possible when we create and maintain support systems for women and minorities on construction sites and within all facets of our industry. We can individually make an impact by getting involved in the DEI initiatives within our companies and industry groups. When we all prioritize DEI, we can minimize turnover and maximize retention of happier, more engaged and more productive employees.   Thank you to our Gold Sponsors at Graycor for hosting us for this important conversation—stay tuned here for more Professional Women in Construction Chicago Chapter news and events! #ProfessionalWomeninConstruction #ProfessionalWomeninConstructionChicago

Aberdeen Development Corporation

Yesterday at Bird Construction, we had the privilege of hearing Jennifer Koury ICD.D share her invaluable insights and reflections as a senior female leader. What stood out most was her authenticity—she’s a powerful example of how to lead successfully while staying true to one's values. Over the course of just 90 minutes, I absorbed a wealth of knowledge, and I’d like to highlight a few key takeaways for this community: - Architect your own career: Define who you want to be, why it matters, and chart your path to get there. - Political savvy vs. playing politics: You don't need to engage in office politics, but it's essential to be politically savvy—build meaningful connections and gather allies as you work toward your vision. - Seek mentors and allies: Continuously look for mentors but be clear and specific about what you seek from them. - Fluidity over balance: Instead of striving for a perfect work-life balance, embrace the concept of fluidity. At times, work may require more of you, and at other times, family does—and that's okay.

🔨 Celebrating Women In Construction Week! 🔧 Meet Mary, a Restoration Technician based in the Baltimore office. Discover her perspective on the construction industry: 🏗️ Q: What's the most fulfilling part of working in the construction industry? A: Collaboration and teamwork! Whether you’re a laborer, engineer, or project manager, being part of a collective effort to create something tangible and lasting brings a sense of fulfillment. 🌍 Q: How have you faced challenges in your career? A: When faced with challenges, I tap into my inner confidence, setting aside fears to find solutions. Every problem is an opportunity to learn and grow. 👷♀️ Q: What do you like about working at Reynolds Restoration? A: I love my job overall – the daily routine, the unity among peers, and the mutual respect that defines our workplace. Being part of Reynolds Restoration is not just a job; it's about being a valuable member of a great company. Let's celebrate Mary and all the amazing women contributing to the construction industry! 💪🏗️ #WomenInConstruction #TeamworkSymphony #JobSatisfaction #WICWeek2024 #ReynoldsPride

🧡 ✊ September 30th—National Truth and Reconciliation Day—is a time for all of us to reflect on the painful history and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous peoples. While the recognition of this day as a statutory holiday was one of the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action, we have to ask: how much progress has truly been made when the vast majority of these recommendations remain unfulfilled? There is an uncomfortable tension in settlers receiving paid time off while Indigenous communities continue to face land dispossession, underfunded services, and systemic inequities. Reconciliation cannot be reduced to a symbolic holiday while colonial violence persists. Instead, we must commit to action and justice in ways that go beyond the surface. At Grassriots Inc., we are trying to navigate these complexities with intention. Indigenous staff have the day off, creating space for rest, reflection, or self-determined action. For settler staff, we are taking a different approach: paying our team to attend Yellowhead Institute’s “FIRE: Truth & Land Back” training. This is not about checking a box—it’s about leaning into the hard work of education, listening, and challenging the colonial systems we continue to benefit from. The #LandBack movement reminds us that reconciliation is about much more than acknowledgment—it’s about returning land, restoring Indigenous governance, and reimagining our relationships to the land and each other. These demands are not separate from struggles for worker and union rights; in fact, they are deeply connected. The fight for justice—whether on the land or in the workplace—requires solidarity across all movements that challenge systems of oppression. As a settler leader, I recognize that there is no perfect way to navigate these contradictions. But the responsibility lies with us to act meaningfully, not just on September 30th, but every day. To other settler-led organizations, let’s challenge ourselves to move beyond performative gestures and build long-term commitments to decolonization, solidarity, and justice. 🧡 ✊ #TruthAndReconciliation #LandBack #WorkerSolidarity #Decolonization #YellowheadInstitute #Grassriots #IndigenousRights #ReconciliationInAction

🎊 Celebrating #WomeninConstructionWeek (Final Day!) 👷♀️   During this special week dedicated to honouring and promoting the invaluable contributions of women in the construction industry, we're proud to shine a spotlight on the remarkable women at Empire who are making a difference on our sites across the US and Canada.   Our seventh featured individual is Nancy Jane Pelletterio, a Site Administrator within our Canadian Operations Division.   Nancy shares her unique journey from accounting into the construction industry: "I have been in the construction industry for 24 years. Prior to this, I worked in Accounting for 9 years. A family friend from a local homebuilder told me they were hiring a role that required some accounting expertise. It was a great transition, since I have a type A personality and this translated well to my current role, which requires a lot of organization." On advice she would give to other women considering a career in construction, Nancy highlights the rewarding nature of the homebuilding industry: "I would tell people what an interesting and rewarding career it is to be in construction – to watch a house being built from the ground up and turned into a home; it’s an incredible transformation. The process isn’t without hurdles, and you need the skills – you need to be organized and build a rapport with the people you work with and the trades. It’s important to have a “go with the flow” attitude, because things aren’t black and white all the time in construction." On key skills or qualities essential for success in the construction field, Nancy emphasizes the importance of staying organized and building relationships: "You have to be very organized and flexible for when unforeseen things happen. Things don’t always follow a specific schedule, so it helps to build relationships with those you work with. Never be afraid to ask questions of coworkers and trades; it’s incredibly empowering to understand what other people do and how they do it. It's also important to have that knowledge and be thirsty to keep learning. Additionally, I would urge you to try and stay aware of what is happening on the site – walk the houses regularly so you’re up to date, keep detailed notes so there’s no guesswork. And lastly, it is very important to stay in the loop and be organized." Thank you, Nancy for sharing your journey and insights with us! Although Women in Construction Week is over, stay tuned for future posts highlighting diverse career paths within Empire, as we continue to celebrate Women's Month and shine a light on our exceptional team members.    #WomenInConstructionWeek #EmpireExperiences #CreatingCommunitiesandExperiencesThatMatter  

Check out my latest piece in OpenGlobalRights, "Land as a lens for future-facing human rights advocacy". Within any change in the ownership of land lies a story about the kind of future being built and who gets to be a part of it. Two dimensions are important: - Strengthening transparency and accountability of ownership patterns. This opens up opportunities for collaboration, for example between groups working on anti-corruption, the right to adequate housing, and the right to a healthy environment - And challenging the status quo—advancing creative new approaches to how humans value and imagine our relationship to land. With escalating climate change, urbanization, and conflict - the finiteness of the World's land is more apparent by the day. The piece links throughout to innovation underway, including the It's Material and Institute for Human Rights and Business "Building Transformation StoryMap" with examples from multiple regions: https://bit.ly/44oaLSr; mapping and provocations by Dark Matter Labs; initiatives by 10 Tooba | Applied Research on The Built Environment, Financial Transparency Coalition, FACT Coalition Business & Human Rights Resource Centre and more. FYI Land Portal Foundation, Omidyar Network, Landesa. The piece is part of the OGR series on the Future of Rights and Governance (FORGE), building from the conference of the same name last year hosted by NYU Center for Human Rights and Global Justice: https://lnkd.in/ebnDC_vH https://lnkd.in/evD8w7yC

eProperty Innovations recognizes & celebrates Juneteenth, our nation's newest (and most overdue) national holiday. We believe all people can help mold these United States into an ever-more-perfect union, by action large and small, public or personal. What action will yours be?