THE WOMENBEHIND THETRANSITION

Meet the women and industry allies turning sustainability from an idea into action—across construction, design, technology, real estate, and the built environment.

NAWIC Professional

THE TRANSITION IS PERSONAL

Sustainability is not transformed by technology alone. It is transformed by people—by the women who bring new ideas to the jobsite, challenge established practices, lead organizations, invest in better solutions, and inspire the next generation.

LEADERS

Dr. Lillian Ostojich

Dr. Lillian Ostojich

NAWIC Midwest region chair,
sustainability committee

Currently serving as Chair of the NAWIC Sustainability Committee for ChicagoMetro Chapter #325 and Chair of the NAWIC Sustainability Committee for the Midwest Region, Dr. Lilly has been a pioneer in sustainable “green” construction.

By profession a medical doctor, plastic surgeon, she is also a USGBC LEED Green Associate.

Dr.Lilly is the Founder and Owner of Woxett Construction, LLC (https://woxettconstruction.com), a Chicago-based women and minority owned sustainable development company, and the author of Rebuilding the Maine Street book (https://www.amazon.in/Rebuilding-Main-Street-Lillian-Ostojich).

Jodi Wiemerslage

Jodi Wiemerslage

NAWIC national director

My vision for this year is simple: to lead with purpose, serve with compassion, and create opportunities for every member to feel connected, valued, and empowered. When we invest in one another, we strengthen not only our association but the future of our industry.

– Jodi Wiemerslage, NAWIC National President 26-27
Rebecca Heustess

Rebecca Heustess

NAWIC midwest region director

With 19 years in the trades, Rebecca has built her career from the ground up—from flooring helper to Finisher and Journeyman Setter. In 2020, she was named Tile Setter of the Year at Grazzini Brothers, where she has spent 14 years building expertise and leadership in the industry.

A founding member of NAWIC Dakota Prairies #394, Rebecca is a passionate advocate for women in construction. She supports workforce development through job fairs, mentorship, and outreach to the next generation of women entering the trades.

Today, she and her husband help lead operations across the Midwest, bringing hands-on industry experience and a strong commitment to advancing women in construction.
Raechel Peters

Raechel Peters

NAWIC Chicago Metro President

Raechel Peters serves as the current President of NAWIC Chicago Metro Chapter 325 and Co-Chair of its newly formed Sustainability Committee. A proud member of Laborers Local 582, she built her career from the ground up and now leads her woman-owned, family-operated construction company.

Specializing in commercial concrete and playground development, Raechel brings deep field expertise and operational leadership to every project. She is passionate about "boots-on-the-ground" leadership — combining hands-on jobsite experience with the strategic ability to successfully negotiate and manage large-scale projects from inception through completion.
Ambassador Directory

WHY TO BECOME THE
SUSTAINABILITY AMBASSADOR?

OUR FIRST AMBASSADORS

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Shannon Wells

Shannon Wells

NAWIC Chicago Metro Board Member
and Communications & Public

NAWIC Chicago Metro Board Member and Communications & Public Relations Chair.
NAWIC Chicago Metro Sustainability Committee Board Director and Communications & Public Relations Chair

Instrumental in recognising the importance of establishing the Sustainability Committee and helping bring it to life. Through her communications and public relations leadership, Shannon is helping give the committee a strong voice, visibility, and presence within the NAWIC community.

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Shannon April

Shannon April

NAWIC Chicago Metro Sustainability
Committee Board

NAWIC Chicago Metro Sustainability Committee Board Director. Construction and real estate visionary with a deep understanding of the transformation ahead. Shannon brought a forward-looking perspective and a strong conviction that sustainability will be an unavoidable—and defining—part of the future of the built environment.

WHY BECOME AN
AMBASSADOR?

Ambassadors help connect NAWIC's sustainability work with businesses, professionals, communities, projects, and the broader built environment.

Build your knowledge, expand your professional network, and become a visible voice for sustainable transformation in the built environment.

Become an ambassador

THE NEXT GENERATION
IS ALREADY BUILDING.

Become and meet the emerging leaders bringing new ideas, technologies, and perspectives to the built environment.

Emerging female leader

WOMEN ARE LEADING THE TRANSITION.
INDUSTRY ALLIES ARE HELPING ACCELERATE IT

Construction team member

MALE ALLIES

TURN SUPPORT INTO ACTION.

The construction industry cannot transform without the participation of the entire industry. The Male Allies initiative engages men who recognize the value of women's leadership and are prepared to play an active role in creating a more equitable, inclusive, and forward-looking industry.

This is not about simply being an advocate. It is about understanding what allyship looks like in practice—in the workplace, on the jobsite, in leadership, and in the opportunities we create for the next generation.

A structured, web-based and certificate-based initiative is being designed to give male professionals the knowledge, tools, and framework to become effective allies for women in construction.

Become an ally

FROM THE JOB SITE
TO THE BOARD ROOM

Women are shaping the built environment at every level—from the worksite and design studio to development, finance, leadership, and policy.

Female engineer holding tablet

YOUR WORK IS PART
OF THE TRANSITION.

Are you building, leading, designing, financing, or advocating for a more sustainable built environment? Join us and share what you are changing, what you are building, and the ideas moving the industry forward.

Add to impact
Impact Hero