Her Story
About Sarita
Sarita McGraw, is an accomplished health, safety, and environmental leader with more than two decades of experience in the construction industry and nearly a decade dedicated to occupational safety. Her career began in the skilled trades, where she worked in masonry, carpentry, concrete finishing, and precast manufacturing before becoming one of the first female foremen in a precast plant. Through determination, technical expertise, and a relentless work ethic, she broke barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry and built a reputation for leadership, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to worker safety.
Today, Sarita serves as a senior safety professional in the heavy civil construction sector, where she develops and leads comprehensive safety programs, manages safety teams, conducts workforce training, and drives initiatives that strengthen safety culture across large-scale infrastructure projects. Throughout her career, she has played key roles on complex transportation and bridge construction projects, including nationally recognized accelerated bridge replacement programs. Her expertise spans safety management systems, behavioral safety, risk mitigation, incident investigations, regulatory compliance, training development, and leadership coaching. She is known for transforming underperforming safety programs into award-winning operations while fostering accountability and engagement at every level of an organization. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sarita is deeply committed to advancing the construction and safety professions through education, mentorship, and industry leadership. She holds a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health and is pursuing a master’s degree.
She served as Chair of the CAGC Training & Development Committee and she is an active industry advocate, she frequently shares her expertise on emerging safety trends, workforce development, and technology in construction. Sarita is passionate about protecting people and empowering teams, Sarita continues to champion innovative approaches that create safer, stronger, and more productive workplaces.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sarita
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience authenticity and a genuine commitment to serving others Throughout my career I've learned that trust is earned by showing up consistently listening to the people closest to the work and leading with integrity I believe the strongest safety cultures are built through relationships not rules alone every challenge that I faced has strengthened my resolve to protect people developed leaders and leave every organization better than I found it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Lead people not positions titles may earn authority but trust earns influence I found that the most effective leaders are those willing to roll up their sleeves listen first and never ask someone to do something they wouldn't do themselves when you genuinely care about people the results will follow.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't wait for someone to give you a seat at the table earn it through preparation hard work and confidence construction is an industry where your knowledge character and work ethic will always speak louder than stereotypes ask questions speak up and don't be afraid to challenge ideas with respect financers who believe in you but also be willing to mentor others as you grow up most importantly never let anyone convince you that you don't belong because you do.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is attracting and retaining the next generation of skilled workers while creating workplaces where people genuinely want to stay. The greatest opportunity is changing the culture of our industry by investing in leadership, trust and employee development. Safety isn't just about compliance; it's about caring for people. Companies that prioritize their people, embrace innovation, and build strong cultures will be the ones that shape the future of construction.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my work and my personal life are integrity, compassion, resilience and service. I believe true leadership begins with genuinely caring about people and earning their trust through consistent actions. Throughout my career in construction safety, I've learned that every policy, procedure, and decision ultimately effects someone's family waiting for them at home. That perspective drives me to lead with empathy while holding myself and others accountable to high standards.
Personally, I value perseverance. Life has taught me that setbacks don't define us - how we respond to them does. I strive to be someone who lifts others up, creates opportunities for growth, and leaves every person and every place better than I found it. Whether I'm mentoring others, advocating for workplace safety, or supporting my family, my purpose remains the same: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.