Superior Construction, an American family-owned infrastructure contractor, is a 2024 winner of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Glass Hammer Award.
The association gives the annual award to companies in the transportation construction industry that use innovative programs and activities to promote women leaders within their businesses.
In 2022, at the request of Chief Executive Officer Nick Largura, Superior Construction launched the Superior Women in Construction (SWiC) initiative. The internal talent development program empowers women and drives innovation. It was designed in collaboration with a certified executive and team coach to promote a diverse leadership pipeline and access a broader range of talent aligning with Superior's mission and vision.
In the inaugural year, company executives selected 11 rising women leaders to take part in the pilot program. The women 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.
"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, including industry-related associations and local community groups. Among other activities, SWiC members attended numerous high school and university career fairs to increase awareness about roles for women in the construction industry. They took part in a non-traditional employment workshop to introduce construction career possibilities to eighth-grade girls. In addition, members spoke at an American Heart Association Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) event.
The inaugural SWiC program members graduated in fall 2023. Many of them are now on the SWiC steering committee. Members of the second SWiC class are currently completing their yearlong program. In launching SWiC, Superior Construction has created a program it hopes will become an industry standard and generate more advocates for women in construction.
Members of the SWiC steering committee accepted the Glass Hammer Award earlier this month at ARTBA's national convention conference in Amelia Island, Fla.
For more information, visit superiorconstruction.com.
