SpawGlass Invests in Developing, Advancing Women in Construction

NEW BRAUNFELS, TX. (Sept. 23, 2026) – As Texas’ construction workforce continues to grow, SpawGlass is investing in the development, retention, and advancement of the women already helping build its projects, teams, and communities across the state.

Approximately 75 women will participate in the second annual SpawGlass Women in Construction Forum, held on Thursday, Sept. 24 at Courtyard New Braunfels River Village, 750 N. IH-35. The daylong professional development event is open to the company’s 108 female team members, who work in roles ranging from field operations and project management to professional and functional support.

The forum is an initiative of SGWIC, a team member-led group established in 2020 to create a supportive community for women across all regions and functions of the company. Its mission is to empower women in construction through support, advocacy, and professional growth. More than 70 women participated in the inaugural companywide forum in 2025. The first forum provided practical, professional, and personal development to equip women to continue growing in their construction careers.

The event comes as Texas’ construction workforce continues to expand. Construction employment reached 912,923 jobs in Texas during the first quarter of 2025, up 4.8% in one year and 13.4% over five years, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. The state projects the industry will need 81,976 additional construction workers between 2022 and 2032.

Women, however, remain significantly underrepresented at multiple levels of the industry. In 2025, an estimated 365,070 women worked in construction and extraction occupations nationally, representing just 4.3% of construction trade workers. Women held approximately 101,915 construction manager positions, or 8.5% of construction management jobs.

The disparity underscores the importance of not only attracting women to construction but also creating opportunities for professional development, relationship-building, and advancement once they enter the industry. That is where SGWIC is focused. The forum is about helping the hundred-plus women already at SpawGlass build skills, develop relationships, and create pathways for continued growth and advancement.

“Our goal is to make sure the women at SpawGlass have a community where they can build relationships, strengthen their leadership skills, and learn from women who understand some of the unique opportunities and challenges of working in this industry,” said Margie Heger, SpawGlass building people manager and SGWIC champion. “While we’re in the business of building structures, we’re committed to building people. Giving women opportunities to connect, learn from one another and develop professionally is an important part of building thriving employee owners.”

SpawGlass CEO Weston Voss will join Heger, Vice President of Marketing Hillary Cadra and Vice President of Team Member Resources Laurie Ingle in opening the forum. The program begins with check-in, breakfast and a Pop-Up Closet, followed by a safety moment led by Corporate Safety Manager Lori Ingle. Keynote speaker Dena Jansen, Chief Vision & Financial Officer, Soul Farm Leadership, will present “The Soul Farmer Way: Lead Yourself. Lead Others. Lead for Impact.”

A panel moderated by Jansen will focus on communication, life balance, public speaking, and relationship management. Panelists include Beth Farner, controller at SpawGlass; Kalinka Ivanova, vice president of real estate and development at HOLT Group; and Judy Zimmerman, CEO of RVK Architecture.

Participants also will take part in a Selfie Scavenger Hunt team-building activity led by Amanda Bishop, field services support at SpawGlass. Afternoon sessions include “Impostor Syndrome,” led by Jenna Cavano of Broaddus Planning and Berenice Saucedo of Broaddus & Associates, and “Financial Planning,” led by Leanne Ethridge, senior vice president and private banking market manager at Frost Bank.

The day includes lunch and a group photo, and concludes with a personal action plan, a feedback survey, door prizes, and closing remarks.

The yearly forum is only one part of SGWIC’s year-round effort to support and develop women at SpawGlass. The group hosts quarterly events focused on community building, resource sharing, professional growth, and open conversations about the challenges and opportunities women encounter in construction. Between events, SGWIC maintains ongoing monthly communication with participants, sharing resources, development opportunities, and other information designed to keep women connected, engaged, and supported throughout the year.

Through these efforts, SGWIC seeks to create a network in which women throughout SpawGlass can learn from one another, develop professionally, and continue advancing within the company.