Since joining Oppidan as construction manager in 2022, Marlee Benson has made an impact not just on the Excelsior-based property development firm but on the broader construction industry. In the past 18 months, she has played a pivotal role in major Oppidan developments, and she has co-chaired the mentorship program for MNCREW, a nonprofit network for women in commercial real estate. Benson’s leadership has helped double participation in that program, and her work as liaison for the group’s Member Engagement Committee has helped kickstart initiatives to improve membership growth and retention. She is passionate about helping early-career women build community in a historically male-dominated field.