Notable Women in Construction, Architecture, & Engineering 2021

Construction, architecture, and engineering aren’t just for the guys. These 22 Notable Women in Construction, Architecture, and Engineering are serving as leaders and innovators in traditionally male-dominated sectors, making their marks in architectural engineering, construction management, data infrastructure, design, energy technology, and more. Many are experts in environmental design and green energy practices. Plus, during the pandemic, they were tasked with developing safety protocols and procedures so that their companies and projects could keep plugging ahead.

Methodology: The individuals featured did not pay to be included. Their profiles were drawn from nomination materials. This list is not comprehensive; it includes only people who were nominated and accepted after editorial review. To qualify for this list, individuals must be serving in senior-level construction, architecture, and engineering roles in Minnesota, have at least five years of experience in their field, and have shown the ability to effect change in their roles or areas of practice.

To nominate other best-in-class executives in their fields, click here.

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Sarah Anderson

Sarah Anderson

President, Master Technology Group (MTG)
Eden Prairie-based MTG specializes in installation and service of fire alarms, security systems, data infrastructure, and audio-visual systems for commercial businesses, health care, and education. When the company launched in
Kristine Horn Anderson

Kristine Horn Anderson

Managing principal and designer, PKA Architecture
Kristine Horn Anderson joined Lars Peterssen and Gabriel Keller shortly after they founded their Minneapolis-based residential architecture firm in 2009; she became a principal in 2014. Under her co-leadership, the
Lori Bauer

Lori Bauer

Owner and president, Climate Makers
In 2006, after more than two decades in the contracting industry, Lori Bauer purchased Climate Makers, a mechanical and temperature control contractor with locations in Brooklyn Center and Jenkins, Minnesota.
Kari Broyles

Kari Broyles

Vice president, deputy general counsel, and chief property development counsel, Life Time
Kari Broyles leads the legal strategy for all property development activities of Chanhassen-based fitness and wellness company Life Time. Over the past 18 months, she has guided Life Time’s property
Jennifer Carlson

Jennifer Carlson

Senior project coordinator, Ryan Cos. U.S
As a project coordinator for Minneapolis-based construction firm Ryan Cos. U.S. since 2013, Jennifer Carlson acts as a liaison between project managers, superintendents, and other members of construction teams. Carlson
Jaclyn “Jackie” Dylla

Jaclyn “Jackie” Dylla

Vice president, principal scientist, Braun Intertec Corp.
At Bloomington-based geotechnical engineering and environmental consulting firm Braun Intertec, Jackie Dylla oversees the environmental cleanup required in large transportation construction projects. She assists owners in proper handling of hazardous
Molly Gaier

Molly Gaier

Chief operating officer, Goodmanson Construction
Molly Gaier started her career at Roseville-based Goodmanson Construction as an HR specialist in 2013; she was named COO six years later. As well as ensuring the company’s operations are
Jenny Haag

Jenny Haag

Founder and CEO, Rise
In 2018, Jenny Haag launched Rise, a Minneapolis-based management company that provides design and branding integration services for custom fabrication and construction projects. Since then, she has worked with four
Mamie Harvey

Mamie Harvey

Principal, Alliiance
Mamie Harvey leads Minneapolis-based architecture and design firm Alliiance’s science and technology studio, where she focuses on programming and front-end planning strategies for the firm’s clients. Harvey has led initiatives
Damaris Hollingsworth

Damaris Hollingsworth

Principal architect and owner, Design By Melo
Damaris Hollingsworth connects her Minneapolis-based architectural and design services firm with the communities she works with—often communities of color—to bring shared understanding from differences. She focuses on opportunities to apply
Jessie Houlihan

Jessie Houlihan

President, Stahl
During Jessie Houlihan’s seven-year tenure as president, Minneapolis-based construction company Stahl has more than doubled its total revenue and volume of work, added market share in Minnesota, opened an office
Jennifer Kaplan

Jennifer Kaplan

Senior project manager and architect, Mohagen Hansen Architecture | Interiors
At Wayzata-based Mohagen Hansen, Jennifer Kaplan is the go-to person for projects with complex code issues. She can take a code challenge and find a responsive-design solution. When Covid hit
Nancy King

Nancy King

Senior vice president, product engineering, Target Corp.
Nancy King leads the product engineering team’s construction of technologies that differentiate Target as a retailer. During the pandemic, her team swiftly built new tech-enabled safety and convenience features that
Lori McGuire

Lori McGuire

Chief operating officer, Gartner Refrigeration
Lori McGuire joined Plymouth-based Gartner in 1996 as an estimator and project manager. Since becoming the company’s COO in January 2020, her accomplishments include overseeing process and procedure improvements in
Kirsten Meehan

Kirsten Meehan

Co-owner and estimator, Ungerman Construction
Kirsten Meehan started with Plymouth-based Ungerman in 1998 doing painting and demolition work during her high school and college summers, then she joined the family business full time as a
Willow Nichols

Willow Nichols

Partner and senior electrical engineer, Victus Engineering
Willow Nichols is a co-founder of Victus Engineering, a St. Paul-based, minority-owned mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering firm. She has designed electrical power and lighting systems for projects throughout the
Heather Olson

Heather Olson

Operations/business unit manager, architecture division, Wunderlich-Malec Engineering
Heather Olson leads the architecture group at Eden Prairie-based engineering firm Wunderlich-Malec, which she joined in 2018. Her responsibilities include all aspects of architectural and business management. She makes initial
Margaret Parsons

Margaret Parsons

Principal and board chair, Cuningham
When Margaret Parsons joined architecture and design firm Cuningham in 1989, the firm employed 20 people in Minneapolis. Today, the firm has more than 230 employees in six offices nationwide.