Her Story
About Nicole
Nicole LaPerle serves as a commercial construction superintendent at Wilson and Company in Orlando, Florida. With 10 years in commercial construction, she manages tenant improvement projects for medical offices, coordinates subcontractors, oversees inspections, and handles on-site operations from opening the building each morning through scheduling and problem-solving. Her career path began with 15 years in law enforcement, followed by roles in roofing and residential home building before advancing into commercial work. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology while working in corrections, graduated from a one-year computer school program after high school, and maintains OSHA 30 and CPR certifications. LaPerle is known for her high moral standards, emphasis on honesty, organization, and work ethic, and she actively supports boxer dog rescues and local Little League teams. She advises young women entering the industry to start in a trade, learn to read blueprints, show up consistently, and demonstrate their value through dedication.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nicole
01What do you attribute your success to?
Hard work and never giving up. When people say women don't belong in this field, I will work three times harder to keep my job site cleaner, to keep myself more organized, to make sure my inspections pass on the first go. My parents raised me with a really strong 'you can do anything you set your mind to' attitude.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Go for it. Start wherever you can. Talk someone into giving you a chance. Reach out. Pick a trade first. Start at a trade. Keep your head down, learn to read blueprints, show up every day. And be the best version of yourself that you can be. And show them that you want to work, show them that you want to progress, and people will see your value and sow into you.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The opportunity for growth has changed substantially since I started 10 years ago. Women were fighting to get into the field, but now we have project managers that are women. Being assertive is hard in a male-dominated industry - there's a fine line between being assertive and domineering.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I have a pretty high moral aptitude. I like things to be done correctly and honestly. I'd rather you hurt my feelings with the truth than lie to me for comfort. I like things done in a regulatory fashion, planning, organization. Work ethic is very important, being coachable and open to constructive criticism. You have to show up for yourself and have a drive or passion that fuels what you're doing.
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