Construction has traditionally been a male-dominated field, and roles like construction project manager have often been filled by men. But that is starting to change, and as a partially women-owned construction project management company, Plan North Partners is proud to celebrate the rise of women construction managers emerging across the industry.
We sat down with some rising professionals in the Wisconsin construction community to learn about their career journeys. They shared powerful insights into what women bring to the field, along with advice on how to thrive in the industry.
Challenges as Woman Construction Manager
Women construction managers face unique challenges, from the lack of restroom facilities on job sites to often being the only woman in meetings or industry events.
“I have great relationships with men in my industry, but sometimes I can’t help feeling like the odd one out,” said Nina Osborne, Project Manager in Facility Planning and Development and Facility Operations at Children’s Wisconsin. “I just try to shift focus and hope that I’m gaining respect as I participate.”
Kelly Sullivan, Milwaukee Lead for Revenue and Strategy at Gardner Builders, shared, “We are aiming to change the industry by setting an example that women are welcome on job sites and ensuring that our trade partners share that belief.”
How the Industry is Evolving
Though once considered off-limits, construction is slowly but surely becoming more inclusive. “There’s been a huge spike in women in construction over the last 10 years,” said Sullivan. “In fact, I just read that 39% of leadership roles in the field are now held by women.”
“When I started ten years ago,” said Osborne, “there was one other woman on the job site. I’ve really enjoyed seeing those numbers grow.”
Women bring fresh perspectives and a different leadership style that’s gaining recognition. “Women construction managers tend to approach things in a way that’s better received sometimes,” Osborne said. “They may not be as blunt and are often more personable.”
“Thirty or forty years ago, job sites were run differently,” added Sullivan. “Bringing women into the mix added thoughtfulness. We’re becoming a more inclusive industry.”
“I think you see more women in a project executive role than you used to,” said Jenny Doede, Managing Partner, Plan North Partners. “There are a lot more women business owners who are my clients in need of construction management services as well. Our clients like to see women on job sites. In some cases, clients even say that they would rather work with a company that has some female representation.”
Advice for Women Entering the Industry
One of the best ways to grow is by building your network. Several professional groups offer support and mentorship opportunities for women construction managers:
“I’m grateful for the network of women I’ve built in the last ten years,” Osborne said. “I’ve had some amazing examples to learn from. It’s motivating to be around people who lift you up.”
Words of Wisdom
“Always work on yourself,” said Sullivan. “Be an open door, connect with others, and never stop learning. Whether you’re in construction, real estate, or banking, everyone faces similar challenges.”
“Don’t feel like you can’t do it just because it’s a male-dominated space,” Osborne added. “There should be no limitations. Take the chance, even if it doesn’t work out, it’s worth trying.”
“How can you see yourself in a role where you are not represented?” asked Doede. “There is a lot of good work being done, but we have to do more outreach so women can see themselves in these roles.”
Looking Ahead: The Next 5–10 Years
Progress has certainly been made across the construction industry when it comes to female representation, but more can always be done. From making small tweaks to the everyday terminology to providing more education on the opportunities for women in construction, there are ways we can make the industry more inclusive going forward.
“Construction terms are still very male-oriented,” Osborne pointed out. “Terms like ‘man-hours’ or ‘foreman.’ I’d love to see systemic changes in language. Words matter.”
Sullivan added, “I’d love to see more high school students learn about construction as a career path. Many don’t know it’s an option. We need to show them the journey from drywaller to foreman to project manager.”
Osborne also emphasized mental health: “We need to ditch the ‘toughen up’ mindset and humanize the work environment. We’re all human—we all have feelings.”
“We see women in certain types of roles within the industry,” said Doede, “You see them as project coordinators and designers, but I would like to see them represented across the board, in roles like business owner and project superintendent.”
As more women step into construction management roles, the industry continues to evolve for the better. The perspectives, skills, and leadership women bring are challenging outdated norms and creating more inclusive, thoughtful, and human-centered project environments. At Plan North Partners, we believe that progress happens when we amplify voices, remove barriers, and champion one another.
To the next generation of women construction managers: there’s a place for you here, and it’s only getting brighter.
Featured Contributors
Nina Osborne
Nina Osborne took an unconventional yet inspiring path into construction project management. After moving to Milwaukee in 2008 to study communications at UWM, she started her career in marketing and facilities management. But the work felt unchallenging, and she began exploring trades, a natural shift given her family background in plumbing and water conditioning.
Nina started a plumbing apprenticeship and thrived academically, though the physical demands and isolation in the field led her to reevaluate. A pivotal conversation with a female master plumber helped her see new possibilities. She transitioned into construction project management by joining a mechanical contractor as a project coordinator, combining her fieldwork and hands-on training with administrative responsibilities like permitting and state plan reviews.
Over five years, Nina progressed to assistant project manager, and ultimately was recruited to work for a general contractor. There, she quickly rose from project engineer to full-fledged project manager. She is nearing her one-year mark as a project manager for Children’s Hospital. Her non-linear path reflects adaptability, determination, and a strong ability to grow through every opportunity.
Kelly Sullivan
Kelly Sullivan is the Milwaukee Lead for Revenue and Strategy at Gardner Builders, where she oversees day-to-day operations with a focus on business development, labor forecasting, and strategic planning. Her role involves dissecting sales pursuits, collaborating closely with the marketing team, and partnering with superintendents to project labor needs, ensuring the team is hiring the right talent at the right time.
Kelly’s path into construction was shaped early on, growing up in a family deeply rooted in the industry. Her father worked at Staff Electric, which made job sites feel familiar and comfortable from a young age. Though she initially started in the commercial furniture industry, she was referred into construction during the pandemic and found the environment to be a much better fit. Hired initially for business development, she quickly took on additional responsibilities, demonstrating a natural ability to wear many hats and connect across various facets of the industry.
Jenny Doede
Jenny Doede is a Project Manager for Plan North Partners, as well as a licensed Interior Designer in the State of Wisconsin. Before co-founding PNP in 2021, Jenny spent 17 years spear-heading the interior design process for countless project management teams. Her experience designing beautiful, functional workspaces that are on-time and on-budget has served as the foundation for her success as a Project Manager. In addition to all things design, Jenny’s regular responsibilities with PNP include developing the Milwaukee Market for PNP, leading weekly project meetings, monitoring budgets, enforcing schedules, and coordinating with vendors to drive her clients’ projects across the finish line.
In her free time, Jenny likes tackling home remodeling projects, spending time in the outdoors with her husband Matt and dog Otis, listening to podcasts, watching the Green Bay Packers, and playing at-home chef and bartender.