Mothers In Construction (M.I.C.)

Check out Mothers In Construction Podcast's  Season 2 Finale  Episode 30 - We Did That with Cheryl Casatelli and Ilina Ewen. We discuss the Trilogy Apartment Building project completed in Raleigh, NC with a workforce that included 66 women! In an industry where women only make up 10 percent of the workforce, this ratio of women on one project is unique. The women on this project crushed every stereotype and made their stamp on the industry by showcasing their abilities and hopefully making waves for greater representation of women in construction. Cheryl who was a field engineer at the time shares her experience working on the project while Ilina discusses the importance of women  in our field. Listen to their stories!

Cheryl Casatelli is an Assistant Superintendent . She began doing small projects in her dad’s workshop where she first fell in love with using power tools. She helped renovate homes alongside her father and spent summers helping in his handyman business. Cheryl parlayed this experience into a career in residential and commercial construction, serving in a variety of roles from sales to flooring to preconstruction. She was her company's first woman in the field engineer role and has extensive experience in multifamily projects. Her most recent project was a concrete tilt up wall building for a global client. Cheryl was even interviewed by ABC for a feature story about the growing number of women entering skilled trades and construction management.

Ilina is a writer, marketing and brand strategist, communicator, advocate, and ally for equity and representation. With over 25 years of marketing and communications experience in the corporate, government, and non-profit sectors, Ilina specializes in translating consumer insights into profitable ideas.

In 2003, Ilina started her own consulting firm helping clients identify their brand and create effective communications and marketing strategies. In addition to her firm, she has worked as a communications and brand strategist, Chief of Staff to the former First Lady of North Carolina, and Communications Director for several organizations. Ilina currently serves as the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for a commercial construction management company in the Southeastern United States.

Working Mother magazine named Ilina one of the top working mom bloggers in America. She uses her voice literally and figuratively as a public speaker and writer and has been known as an “accidental activist” who dedicates her time and talent to advocate for myriad issues. Specifically, she works towards social justice, community building, child and family resources, and women’s rights.  Ilina is a doting mom to two teenage sons and has been married for 22 years.

Check out Mothers In Construction Podcast's Episode 29 with Amy Garber and Bob Symon.

Amy Garber is counsel in the Construction Practice Group at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP.  She has been practicing litigation and construction law since graduating Cornell Law School in 2008.  Her practice includes litigating cases of all sizes in federal and state courts and before the federal Boards of Contract Appeals and American Arbitration Association, as well as providing contract guidance to client involved construction projects.  Amy has been a Mother in Construction since her baby boy was born in November 2020.  Since then she has navigated motherhood, transitioning to and from maternity leave, and working (and litigating) from home.

Bob Symon is Partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP. He  practices in the areas of construction and government contract law. Notwithstanding his extensive litigation experience, Bob has developed a reputation as a quick study and someone who recognizes the benefits of resolving contract disputes at an early stage through negotiated settlements or alternative disputes resolution mechanisms (such as mediation) before the onset of extensive and costly discovery efforts. However, even when cases have proceeded through discovery to arbitration or litigation, results typically have exceeded client expectations due to his tenacity, organizational skills, preparedness and persuasiveness. Bob is also a father of two.

Amy and Bob discuss their experience with Amy transitioning into motherhood.  Amy developed a  plan and both she and Bob made accommodations and adjustments in an effort to execute the plan seamlessly to support Amy as a new Mother In Construction. Listen to their story !

Check out Mothers In Construction's episode 28 with Nephetia Brown. Growing up in East New York, Brooklyn, Nephetia always knew that she would be a successful professional and decided to steer her attention into becoming an electrical apprentice in March 2007. Working for Local 3, IBEW, she was trained and taught the trade, and also became a Journeywoman March 13, 2018. Nephetia  took advantage of opportunities and gained certification in solar paneling, electrical wiring, telephone and data and also project management, just to name a few. She currently resides in New Jersey where she takes pride in caring for her three sons, Tyshaun, Rishawn and DaeShawn.

During her second pregnancy Nephetia had a fall at work which ultimately caused her to question her career. She details how she left the field for a short period of time but her love for construction brought her back stronger and better. Listen to her story!

Check out Mothers In Construction Podcast's Episode 27 with Natassia Melendrez-Knutson, CEO of Project Support Services.  

Natassia began her career at a geotechnical engineering, material testing & inspection firm when she was just 21 years old, and because of her integrity, intelligence, and honest hard work, was quickly promoted from dispatch to Project Closeout Manager. Over the years she gained unparalleled experience and continued growing. When she reached her peak growth within the company, she noticed an obscure disparity between men and women in leadership roles - and it was at this point she decided to forge her own path, advocating for women business owners in the school construction sector/industry, especially within the realm of project support services.

At 28 years old, Natassia began independent consulting services with only $1,000 in her bank account, an idea in her mind, and endless gumption to make it a reality. Independent consulting soon transitioned into a base of solid clients, and the start of her new business, Project Support Services, was born, a Project Management Firm in the construction industry.

PSS continues to grow and defy the odds, making up part of the mere 9.1% of women in the construction industry. Natassia wants to empower and inspire other women business entrepreneurs, especially within the construction industry along the way.

Natassia shares her journey with being a Boss and lets us know it's ok to not be liked 100% of the time. Listen to her story!

Check out Mothers In Construction Episode 27 with Coralee Beatty of Thrive HQ. After 25 years in the construction industry, and successfully selling her trades business, Coralee now shares her knowledge, experience and expertise with other women in construction and trades to build their business for greater profitability, flexibility and freedom. In addition, Coralee advocates for women in trades to empower them to take control of their future in the industry by helping them start a business and doing so on the right foot, providing best practices for growth and success.

Coralee wholeheartedly believes in the power of women and believes together they are stronger. Her purpose is to support women in construction to maximize their business potential and live a life they love. Listen to her story!

Dr. Tiffany Turner is a Hospitalist Physician, board certified in Internal Medicine.  Dr. Turner practices at a community hospital in Northern Virginia.  She is also the owner of Virtual Wellness MD, a telemedicine practice that provides online doctor's visits.

Dr. Adana Llanos is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, where her research focuses on understanding sociobiologic factors that contribute to inequities in cancer outcomes. She obtained a PhD in genetics from Howard University and MPH in Epidemiology from the Ohio State University.

Both of these wonderful women share the top health risk factors in women and stress the importance of health awareness and selfcare. Listen to their stories!!

Check out Episode 23 of Mothers In Construction Podcast with Chuck Knisley and John Richmond. Chuck is a Senior Superintendent with 28 years of experience and John is a Project Manager with 6 years of experience in the construction industry.   Both Chuck and John have worked on project teams with the host Tonia Rivers. They share their experience as male allies who both have had to work alongside and support a Mother in Construction. Listen to their story!

Check out Episode 21 of Mothers In Construction Podcast with Kalie Jacinto. Kalie is a Project Engineer III in Anaheim , California with over 12 years of experience in the industry. Her current market sector is healthcare. Kalie has been married for 9 years and is the mother to a 7 year old son and 7 month old daughter. Kalie is transitioning back to work from maternity leave. She details her experience on this week's episode. Listen to her story!