To celebrate Women in Construction Week, LeChase is spotlighting some of the amazing women that contribute to the company’s success. We asked the women our team to share their favorite thing about being a woman in the construction industry:
Kelsey Kellam
Title: Project Engineer
Region: Corning
Time with LeChase: 8 months
“The best thing about being a woman in construction is how empowering it is. I have always been told that the sky is the limit. It is inspiring to know that we as women can break the glass ceiling to reach that goal, just as anyone else did next to us and before us.”
Leanne Collins
Title: Project Administrator
Region: Rochester
Time with LeChase: 1 year
“I love working in the construction industry because the possibilities for growth are endless and every day I learn something new. I work alongside so many strong and encouraging women which is a privilege. I also love that I can show my daughters and younger generations that women belong in construction too.”
Lauren Rock
Title: Project Administrator
Region: Buffalo
Time with LeChase: 1 year
“My favorite thing about being a woman in construction is the opportunity to be a role model and challenge gender norms in an industry where women are underrepresented. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to projects that have a lasting impact while proving that women belong in every part of the field. I love the sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing a project come together and knowing that my work plays a vital role in making it happen.”
Angela Wiesmore
Title: Executive Assistant
Region: Rochester
Time with LeChase: 9 years
“One of my favorite things about working in construction – as a woman in an administrative role – is the blend of teamwork and tangible impact I experience every day. I love knowing that my behind-the-scenes work supports project success. And let’s be honest, women in construction are trailblazers, no matter what the role! Being part of an industry that values diverse perspectives and is reshaping traditional norms makes every day both challenging and rewarding.”
Monica Grundtisch
Title: Business Process Optimization Manager
Region: Rochester
Time with LeChase: 23 years
“The people! We get to problem solve and collaborate on solutions together regularly. Everyone has the same goal – to be successful. We get to do all of that and build relationships along the way!”
Melissa Pendergraph
Title: Operations Support Specialist
Region: Southeast/NY Capital Region
Time with LeChase: 6 years
“My favorite thing in this industry is supporting project teams with anything and everything they need from the beginning of a project, all the way to project completion. I love that I get to play a part in helping all of our project teams make it to the finish line.”
Caitlin Lattanzio
Title: Project Manager
Region: Buffalo
Time with LeChase: 7 years
“By succeeding in construction, I like to think I can inspire other women to follow in the same footsteps and pursue careers in fields where they might not have previously seen representation.”
Kathryn Payne
Title: Project Executive
Region: Southeast
Time with LeChase: 8 years
“Being underestimated. It’s not a bad thing to be different, and when you know your stuff, you stand out.”
Aliana Corey
Title: Marketing Administrator
Region: Southeast
Time with LeChase: 2 years
“I feel a lot of respect for my job and see respect for other women throughout.”
Barbara Lytle
Title: Project Executive
Region: Charlotte
Time with LeChase: 9 years
“We see things with a different perspective.”
Denise Barnes
Title: Regional Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion
Region: Southeast
Time with LeChase: 18 years
“Women bring a unique perspective and resilience to the table.”
Nadine Bader
Title: Assistant Project Manager
Region: Southeast
Time with LeChase: 3 years
“For me, this is twofold. By breaking down the barrier I feel a sense of empowerment of being in a traditional male-dominated industry while also being able to make a lasting impact to the built environment around us.”
Natalie Cordero
Title: Project Engineer
Region: Southeast
Time with LeChase: 8 months
“I’m excited to be in a position where I can help build a work environment where everyone’s skills and contributions are truly valued. While growing up, I don’t remember seeing any women advocating for construction work and I hope to help be part of the change to get younger women interested in building a career doing the meaningful and fulfilling work that we do daily.”
Kyra McGoey
Title: Project Engineer
Region: Rochester
Time with LeChase: 6 months
“I think one of the most rewarding aspects of being a woman in construction is the opportunity to break barriers and show that the industry is not limited to one gender. There’s something empowering about being part of a field that’s historically male-dominated and proving that diverse perspectives bring incredible value. It’s also great to see more women in leadership roles and mentoring others to join the industry, creating a more inclusive environment.”
