Influential Woman · Construction
Nikki Hawkins-Macdonald
Heavy Equipment Operator, Construction Company
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34984
Her Story
About Nikki
Nikki Hawkins-Macdonald has built a career in construction that spans hands-on fieldwork, office management, and ongoing academic achievement. Raised around her family's concrete and construction business in Okeechobee. After more than a decade working as a nurse, she found the role unfulfilling and made the decision to return to construction roughly fifteen years ago, drawn back into the industry through her husband, a heavy equipment mechanic. Since then, she has worked as a heavy equipment operator and an office manager. Alongside her professional work, Nikki has committed herself to formal education, pursuing an Associate's degree in Building Construction Technology at Indian River State College with plans to graduate in 2027, while also working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Construction management. She has completed her OSHA certification and is preparing to sit for her general contractor's license. Balancing a demanding work schedule with coursework has not come easily, but she credits her husband, her late grandfather's successor and mentor figure — her uncle — and her mother, a teacher who instilled discipline and goal-setting in her from a young age, with keeping her motivated through the most exhausting stretches. Outside of her career, Nikki is a devoted mother to two children, a daughter completing her nursing degree and a son who just graduated high school, both of whom she raised as a teenage parent while working her way through a male-dominated industry. She leans heavily on her faith to push through moments of doubt and finds comfort in her home life, which includes eight dogs and a longstanding love of animals cultivated through her children's involvement in 4-H. Known for her insistence on being treated the same as her male colleagues rather than given special treatment, Nikki has earned recognition for her resilience and work ethic, including being selected as a featured honoree by Influential Women for 2026.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nikki
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my husband, who has always pushed me to pursue what I truly love rather than settle for what pays more. When I was running an office and miserable, he encouraged me to return to equipment operation, reminding me that happiness matters more than a paycheck. Beyond him, I credit my uncle,who raised me like a father and made me promise to finish my degree and return to construction, and my mother, a teacher who taught me to set goals and push myself. My children and my faith also carry me through the hardest days.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You have to develop tough skin and keep pushing forward. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something — let that be the fuel that drives you harder. Don't allow others to see you upset or discouraged on the job; if something is bothering you, hold it together until you're back in your car, then let it out. Most importantly, don't let anyone convince you that you don't belong, because with enough drive and determination, you can go as far as you want, regardless of gender.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is working in an industry that remains a man's world, where women are often underestimated or treated as though they need to be sheltered rather than allowed to work alongside their male counterparts. I've had to prove, repeatedly, that I can keep up with and outwork the men around me before being taken seriously. My biggest opportunity has come from working under my superintendent Christian, from the beginning has never looked at me as just a woman working in a male-dominated industry—he sees me as an operator and treats me as an equal based on my ability, work ethic, and willingness to learn. Working for him has truly been a blessing in disguise, giving me the opportunity to grow, build confidence in my abilities, and gain valuable experience that will help me take the next steps in my career.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect and loyalty are the two most important values to me. I believe in doing what is asked of you out of respect for those above you, and in return, showing people that you have their back builds trust that carries you further in this industry. Being someone others can depend on —even if it means working 60 to 70 hours a week, seven days a week — is central to how I operate both professionally and personally.
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