Celebrating R&S’ Women in Construction

March 5, 2024

Celebrating R&S’ Women in Construction

Let's celebrate Women in Construction Week by honoring the remarkable accomplishments and essential contributions of women in our industry during Women's History Month! At Rudolph and Sletten, inclusivity and innovation are at the core of our values, propelling us forward. Join us in applauding our female colleagues and championing a more equitable future in construction!

In honor of Women in Construction Week, we're excited to highlight some of the standout members of our R&S family. Prepare to be inspired by their journeys!

Robin Smith | Learning Program Manager

“For women at R&S, the sky’s the limit.”

“I joined R&S because I was interested in the different types of projects the company builds but mostly because I was interested in the people. As Learning Program Manager, I’d be interacting with people at every level. When I learned that R&S has women in senior leadership roles, I was wowed.

“I highly respect all the people I work for. Everyone, including [President & CEO] Jon Foad, demonstrates that they respect me. They treat me as a professional, and I feel valued for my opinions and contributions. My manager, Uma Ryan [Director of Learning and Development], treats me like an equal.

“I’m involved in everything related to getting people from one side of the bridge to the other in terms of learning. I help facilitate all our operational and subject matter trainings. I collaborate with Uma on the creation and delivery of all our leadership trainings. I also serve as a coach and informal mentor. Women throughout the company reach out to me regularly for guidance, such as how to approach an executive or how to overcome their discomfort about speaking up.

“I’m a total supporter of WomenBuildRS. It’s great to be in a room full of women who work in different positions, have different points of view and contribute differently to making R&S a great place to work and a company that clients want to return to.

“Before I became an R&S employee in 2020, I thought of construction as a mostly male field. That’s not the case here. We have many avenues and paths for women to advance in their career. For women at R&S, the sky’s the limit.”

Colette Cincotta | Project Engineer

“R&S supports women to advance and succeed.”

“I chose a career in construction because I’m passionate about building, there are plenty of advancement and growth opportunities in this field, and I find the work rewarding. I chose R&S because of their reputation for leading with integrity and their focus on treating all their people and clients right.”

“Construction is constantly evolving in terms of technology and the means and methods of building. Since joining R&S in 2022, I’ve taken every opportunity to learn, evolve with construction and grow myself. I’m continually learning through the trainings R&S offers and by networking with my peers.”

“I’m very impressed that R&S has women in leadership roles and project management roles. I haven’t seen that at other companies I’ve worked for. R&S encourages and supports women to advance and succeed. The women who are offered those opportunities excel at what they do and can lead a room and take charge. As long as you put in the work and evolve with construction, I feel the sky’s the limit for women here.”

“I’m proud of my work ethic. I lead with integrity in all aspects of my position, regardless of who I’m interacting with. I’ve found that leading with respect and following through on promises goes a long way toward building relationships.”

“Being safe on the jobsite is integral to what we do and a top priority within R&S. I recently gained my OSHA 30 certification. The training increased my safety and health knowledge, which will be a useful and valuable aid as I grow in my career in construction.”

Erica O’Connor | Senior Project Engineer

“There are a lot of strong women here to look up to.”

“R&S is a great place to work for women. The company’s values and culture really make me feel supported and respected. I’ve always been part of teams that are inclusive and collaborative. I’ve always looked forward to coming to work every day.”

“I work in San Diego. There are a lot of strong women here to look up to—project managers who are women and the other women on my team. There’s a new young woman on my team, and I try to be a mentor to her.”

“Growing up, I was exposed to the field side of construction through my dad, who was a union carpenter and worked at R&S as a jobsite safety coordinator. I was also exposed to it through many other male family members who also did field work.”

“I joined R&S in 2019 as a Field Engineer and later pivoted to the management track. My experience on both sides has given me a unique perspective on being a woman in this industry. Oftentimes, you can be the only woman in a meeting or on a team, which can leave you doubting yourself a little bit or feeling like an imposter. Finding the balance between that and feeling confident, self-assured and that you belong here can empower you to rise to the occasion and exceed people’s expectations.”

“I found balance by putting my head down and focusing on working harder than anybody else. I ask questions all the time and learn from everybody around me. I built my confidence by knowing I was doing good work and that I’m a valued asset to the team.”

Julia Larson | Talent Acquisition Coordinator

“Hiring more women … enriches our company.”

“I’m excited that R&S is making strides in bringing more women—including women interns—into the company. Hiring more women challenges gender stereotypes and enriches our company. We bring different perspectives and life experiences that can lead to more collaborative ideas, innovative solutions and successful outcomes.”

“I’m usually in meetings with women and men. One time, I met with four male executives to discuss our budget. A younger employee asked me later if I’d felt scared in that situation. I had prepared for the meeting and felt confident going into it, but the question made me think about the unique aspects of being a woman in this industry.”

“My goal is to ensure that all our new people feel welcome and supported, beyond orientation. I participate in WomenBuildRS to connect and build relationships with women across the company, learn and have fun. I’m hoping this group will promote a sense of belonging and provide support to R&S’ current and future women employees.”

“I recently celebrated my 5-year work anniversary at R&S. I really like the people here, the family feel and how everyone supports each other. I have great colleagues and managers who share their knowledge with me. I’ve taken on many new responsibilities since I started, and I’m continually turning new situations into learning experiences.”

“I’m proud to be part of a company that builds hospitals, schools and other projects that benefit our communities. I’m proud of the work I do onboarding so many people who go on to contribute greatly to those projects. I’m especially proud to be part of a company that’s a great place to work for women and men.”

Sara Dunaway | Senior Marketing Coordinator

“We’re changing the face of what people envision when they think of a construction worker.”

“I may not build buildings, but I help win the work. Women in Construction Week is a great way to highlight the contributions of R&S’ women while also highlighting the contributions of women industry-wide.”

“There are a ton of opportunities for women in construction. The traditional view of construction as a boy’s club is fading as women enter the field and prove that we can do any of these jobs. Increasingly, we’re changing the face of what people envision when they think of a construction worker.”

“I designed proposals in the A/E/C [architecture, engineering and construction] industry for about 10 years before joining R&S in 2018. R&S encourages continuing education and provides training whenever requested. Because of those learning opportunities, my technical skills have improved leaps and bounds, and my knowledge of the entire A/E/C industry has progressed significantly. I now understand the entire process from design to closeout, which allows me to have a greater impact on the proposal process, particularly for design-build pursuits.”

“I’m proud to have helped win The Rady Shell project. I attended a concert there and got to listen to people around me remark at what an amazing facility it is. When the band came out, they said, ‘This is the most beautiful venue we’ve ever played.’ To have contributed to something that’s become part of the identity of a world-class city—and helped launch a lot of R&S’ performing arts work in San Diego—feels great.”

“I’m most proud of being a solid and reliable partner and team member. People seek out my knowledge and perspective. I know that my contributions are important, and I feel valued.”