Dana Hall School is an independent boarding and day school for girls in grades 5-12 in Wellesley, MA. Their mantra, “Unapologetically confident. Ambitious and kind. Forever curious. And audaciously yourself,” inspired the Upper Classroom Building construction project’s goal of having 8% of tradespeople on site represented by women.
We are fortunate to have Project Executive BJ Whennen leading the project for CM&B. Among her responsibilities is fostering the inclusion of woman-owned businesses, tradeswomen on-site, and women in management on the project .
In celebration of Women in Construction Week 2023, we’re happy to profile some of the key tradeswomen on the Dana Hall project and what their employers have to say about them.
ABATEMENT
Janeth has worked at Dana Hall from the start of the project. She supervises a talented team of 20 Abatement & Demolition specialists, of which 7 are women. She is an expert in safely removing hazardous materials from the job site and encapsulating it so that it no longer poses a threat to construction workers or the surrounding environment.
Janeth is the first female supervisor at Karma Environmental Services, Inc., and was quickly promoted due to her ability to learn the regulatory end of our industry quickly and efficiently. She attacks projects with urgency and excels at the tricky balance of compliance, safety, and production. She was an amazing find for us, and I hope we have her at Karma for a long time! – Jared Connelly, Owner of Karma Environmental
SHORING
Luisa Alberto joined Lothrop Companies, Inc s Project Manager in 2022. This vital leadership role is central to the safe and reliable delivery of the company’s specialized scaffolding & shoring design, engineering, and construction solutions to its customers throughout New England.
“I am a Latino-American woman in construction. My unique cultural background and experience in urban settings allows me to connect with a diversity of people. I have a history of skillfully coordinating resources and communications to drive a project to successful completion. Playing a role in improving our neighborhoods and cities is the catalyst for my love of construction.” – Luisa Alberto
STRUCTURAL STEEL
Johnna Ogassian has worked for MAS Building & Bridge, Inc. as the foreman’s second in command for the past four years. Her role includes coordinating rigging and assisting with other logistical issues. She graduated from a vocational-technical high school and has worked in the field ever since.
TESTING & INSPECTION SERVICES
Terri Simbalist is a rebar inspector at UTS of Massachusetts and has been with the company for over five years. As a rebar inspector, Terri is responsible for ensuring all reinforcing steel elements are properly installed before the structural concrete is poured. Before working as an inspector, she worked in hardwood flooring and tiling and has always loved working in the field. Her favorite aspect of her job is seeing how her efforts contribute to construction projects in her community.
