WIC Week 2022 | Clayco

Growing the Role of Women in the Industry

At Clayco, our culture is focused on building more than structures. We believe in building communities. One of the communities we are excited to support and help grow is the community of women within our industry. From providing equal opportunity for all, to providing opportunities and mentorship for women-owned business, we are always excited to see our field become more diverse and inclusive.

Women in Clayco

We sent out a questionnaire to some of the women in our enterprise hoping they would share their experiences with us as a way to spotlight their roles and successes. We also hope their responses will offer some insight to women curious about entering the industry.

Robyn Artis – Design and Construction Integrator, Clayco

How long have you been in the industry?
23 years
How did you start your career in design/construction/real estate?
I began my career in a traditional architecture/design firm and then into construction studying specifically design build while strategically crafting my career to learn every inch of the business I could. From there included holding executive leadership roles in operations, management, sales, and process improvement.
What advice do you have for other women in the industry?
Be brave enough to not only ask for the seat but to take the seat – then take action. Speak up. Be confident. Find a mentor. Take every opportunity you can to advance AND KEEP LEARNING.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced?
To keep excelling in a full time career while also balancing being a single momma of two blessings!
What are you involved in outside of work?
Defiantly would be watching and supporting my kids in their various sports – they are busy! I am also studying in the evenings and weekends to achieve Six Sigma Black Belt – which is a major goal of mine this year.
Fun Fact about you?
I am a two time Hall of Fame cheerleader!

Carly Brown – Senior Project Manager, Clayco

How long have you been in the industry?
5+ years
How did you start your career in design/construction/real estate?
My career in construction began by landing an internship with a heavy-highway general contractor my Junior Year of college. I interned with them full-time for 2 summers and part-time throughout the school year for 1.5 years in total. My last semester of college, I spoke to Clayco at our career fair and was instantly drawn to the company’s culture and variety of projects, which led me to begin my professional career with Clayco a month after graduation.
What advice do you have for other women in the industry?
My advice for other women in the industry is to understand your strengths, but aware of your weaknesses. Know what value you bring to the table and foster confidence in those areas, but do not be afraid to ask for help. It’s perfectly fine to say, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out” because that only helps to build trust and transparency.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced?
The biggest challenge still faced today in a male-dominated industry, such as construction, is implicit bias surrounding age, gender, or inexperience. I believe it’s important for others to discuss awareness surrounding this topic and don’t be afraid to speak up if a comment is made that seems insensitive towards someone in the room. This will only help to cultivate positive change.
What are you involved in outside of work?
Outside of work, I love to travel, hike, camp, and spend quality time with family and friends.
Fun Fact about you?
Last year I completed my yoga teaching certification (RYT-200) and love to see how the practice improves others’ well-being physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Ciere Boatright – VP Real Estate & Community Development, CRG

How long have you been in the industry?
9 years
How did you start your career in design/construction/real estate?
Living on the south of Chicago I became frustrated with the lack of resources, leaving my community to dine, shop for basic necessities became exhausting. I decided to back to school for my master’s in urban planning & policy. My first semester of grad school I was hired at an incredible nonprofit organization that focused on real estate development throughout Chicago’s under-served neighborhoods. I had the opportunity to authentically engage with community residents, and deliver large scale impactful real estate development projects in neighborhood that experienced decades of disinvestment. I immediately knew that I was in the right field. Joining the CRG team allows me to do this important work on a much broader scale.
What advice do you have for other women in the industry?
Your voice is important, your perspective is unique and your presence is powerful-One of my favorite quotes is by Shirley Chisholm “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair”
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced?
Improving my work/life balance
What are you involved in outside of work?
I’m a mom of two incredible children, outside of work I’m cheering my kiddos on at their sports activities. I volunteer with Link Unlimited Scholars an organization that promotes education equity by providing economically disadvantaged Black youth with mentors, resources and tools as they advance into, through and beyond college.
Fun Fact about you?
During the pandemic I developed a love for gardening. Gardening became a stress reliever when I retire from commercial real estate – I may open my own floral shop

Hannah Kiem – Vice President of Development, Southwest Region, CRG

How long have you been in the industry?
10 years
How did you start your career in design/construction/real estate?
I studied civil engineering in college and then started my career in construction management working for Clark Construction in Washington DC. After a few years, I decided to transition to real estate development and got my masters in Real Estate, then came back to St. Louis to work for CRG.
What advice do you have for other women in the industry?
You are just as capable as your male counterparts in the industry. In fact, as a female, you have an advantageous and often unsuspecting edge that can work in your favor in your day-to-day profession and in your overall career.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced?
My desire for perfection and order in an industry where projects are complex and unpredictable. It’s a work in progress everyday!
What are you involved in outside of work?
The Jewish Federation of St. Louis, CREW, local running clubs, hiking and being outdoors in general
Fun Fact about you?
I used to be on a salsa dancing team

Sarah Jacobson – Executive Director, LJC

How long have you been in the industry?
20+ years
How did you start your career in design/construction/real estate?
I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in architecture, but realized I did not really know how a building went together, so I took a job in construction right out of school. Probably one of the best experiences of my career – was definitely a second education.
What advice do you have for other women in the industry?
Don’t be afraid to lean in to a new role or responsibility. Confidence will get you at least as far as experience.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced?
Figuring out how to balance work and family.
What are you involved in outside of work?
We just relocated to LA from Chicago – so most of my free time these days is spent exploring southern California.
Fun Fact about you?
While I don’t have any fun party tricks – I am an excellent host. Seriously, come to a party at my place – we have big bashes, little dinner parties, Superbowl BBQ’s, Halloween haunted houses, Nerf gun birthday parties, you name it. We’d love to have you over.

Jenny Koerber – Project Manager, Concrete Strategies

How long have you been in the industry?
22+ years
How did you start your career in design/construction/real estate?
I started in the industry at a brick/block company (Masonry & Glass Systems) as an Office Manager/Salesman for 10 Years. I then started as a Construction Administrator at CSI. I decided to follow a dream –eager for a more challenging management type position and in turn, went for my Associates Degree. I then was advanced to a Project Engineer; Sr. Project Engineer and currently serve the role as a Project Manager. The essence of life is constant growth!
What advice do you have for other women in the industry?
Develop confidence. The most important advice I would give myself early in my career is that confidence matters…
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced?
Proving myself along with earning respect of everyone in the industry. People who respect you will be more inclined to listen to, value your judgement and in turn, will be more likely to treat you the way you want to be treated.
What are you involved in outside of work?
Baseball and Hockey; Traveling; Listening to vinyl records of all genres; Listening to Podcast.
Fun Fact about you?
When I go on an adventure, I always like to not always plan the path and go where the road takes me.

Other Clayco Initiatives

Clayco Rising

Clayco has built the most comprehensive diversity and inclusion program in the industry – Clayco Rising. It is designed to create meaningful opportunity for our employees, our minority and women-owned business partners and people within the communities we serve. Together, we are breaking through barriers of income, race, sexual orientation and gender. We will rise above to bring positive change within our industry by building a diverse, respectful and safe workplace for all.

ClaycoNOW

Our mission is to increase female leadership in the design, construction and real estate development industry. We connect, enable, and engage with women and communities across all areas of the industry to develop, impact and transform the culture from the inside out by investing in women.

Interested in a Career in Construction?

Whether you are a woman in college interested in an internship, in the craft workforce looking for a new opportunity, or in the industry seeking a career change, Clayco is always looking for the best and the brightest to join our team.

For more information on our hiring process or our open positions, please visit our Clayco Careers page.