Inside & B-Words for Women’s Success with Tricia Kagerer

| By: ERIN COULEHAN photos courtesy of: JORDAN FOSTER CONSTRUCTION |

ow do you create an environment where -- if you’re intentionally bringing in a diverse workforce -- do they have a safe place to be? Are they going to be welcomed? How are they going to be treated in the field? How do we break down some of those barriers of how to be authentic at work?”

These are a few of the practical and philosophical questions that Tricia Kagerer asks herself each day. Kagerer is the Executive Vice President of Risk Management for Jordan Foster Construction, author of “The B Words: 13 Words Every Woman Must Navigate for Success,” and in the unique position to implement solutions to her questions, creating a blueprint for change.

“One day I’ll be at a construction project meeting with our field safety leader group,” she explains. “Then another day, I’m in the corporate office negotiating our risk management strategy.”

Kagerer hails from El Paso and two generations of fierce women who taught her to ask, “If not me, then who?” www.thecitymagazineelp.com

A sold-out crowd of (mostly) women were treated to stories of Kagerer’s grandmother, Peggy, in March for the El Paso Association of Contractors’ inaugural Women in Construction luncheon at the El Paso Community Foundation Room where Kagerer gave the keynote address.

During the event, Kagerer weaved stories of her grandmother -- an Irish immigrant who sold moonshine out of a baby carriage in New York City during Prohibition, rather than join a convent or enter an arranged marriage with a farmer from her village -- with statistics on women in the construction industry.

For example, women makeup only about 10.4 percent of the construction industry’s workforce, up slightly from years past, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“That’s still a pretty small percentage,” explains Kagerer of the traditionally male-dominated industry, “but you’re seeing women in the field; you’re seeing women equipment operators; you’re also seeing opportunities created by advancing techology. Construction has historically lagged behind in technology and advancing in that way, but you’re seeing women fill those roles as well.”

Kagerer’s career has led to more than 20 years experience in construction risk management and safety, refining her expertise in risk and safety management, leadership, culture, and performance excellence.

“These conversations have led to implementing leadership and education training, and a focus on overall wellness for our team,” she adds.

Kagerer is one of the few women executives who sits at the C-suite table but is determined to open doors, shatter glass ceilings, and build the framework for a culture of care that supports a diverse -- and happy -- workforce.

“The reality is construction companies have so much work, and there are just not enough people who are interested in joining the business,” Kagerer says. “Construction has an image problem. The industry is known for being a tough and dirty industry because of the extreme demands. The workforce is out in the field in the elements performing dangerous work. The industry is changing and technology is advancing, which will help that image. There is so much opportunity, and it’s just been something that women have shied away from.”

Kagerer seized the opportunity to create change at Jordan Foster Construction by creating a culture of care initiative and total worker health initiative and focusing on a total worker health initiative to expand the company’s definition of safety.

“We believe that people need to know how to do their jobs,” says Kagerer. “That requires education and training. Our team need to have good leaders to look up to, who have excellent communication skills -- that that’s part of leadership. We need to -- of course -- be observing and making sure that the projects are run well. We know that projects that focus on safety are also more productive and ultimately more profitable. We must be experts on creating that environment and multiple that culture on every project.”

For women executives like Kagerer who often travel (and travel alone), safety is of the utmost importance and extends beyond the hard hatted and steel toed booted construction sites.

According to a 2021 survey on women’s safety, 88 percent of respondents reported feeling somewhat threatened or unsafe while traveling.

“I’ve always been a woman that travels and there are things that you want to do to make sure that you’re safe,” says Kagerer. “Get a decent hotel, make sure that it’s in a good area. If you’re driving at night by yourself, make sure someone knows where you are. If using rideshare apps, share your location with a friend or family member. Be aware of your surroundings and listen to your intuition. These are things that go into the realm of safety.”

Kagerer is committed to continue to pave the way for women in construction and happy to lead by example.

“I’m very intentional about creating role models for young women,” she says. “I really believe it’s important for people to see someone that looks like them doing something that they might want to do.”