Zobeida Perez

I'm very committed and diligent, and I take a lot of pride in what I do. I've always believed that if I don't enjoy what I'm doing, then I shouldn't be doing it at all. Taking pride in my work and genuinely valuing the time I spend on it is essential to me - that's really the attitude I bring every day. When I first joined the company, my former CEO even told me I had one of the best attitudes he'd seen. He said that's what set me apart and made me a 'diamond in the rough,' and that's something that has always stuck with me.

I believe you have to take everything work-related with a grain of salt. Look for opportunities to grow, identify what may be lacking, and position yourself to turn those gaps into something meaningful. Approach everything with a positive, welcoming attitude, because if you come in with the wrong mindset, you're going to face unnecessary roadblocks. You also have to be open to constructive criticism - something many of us, especially as women, can struggle with at times. And I emphasize constructive criticism. As a Latina woman, I understand how things can sometimes be misunderstood, so it's important to really listen - listen to what's needed and observe where you can make a positive impact. Above all, maintain the right attitude and be intentional about how you establish yourself. Too often, women aren't given the trust or authority they deserve, and that's not just in construction - it happens across every industry. So it's important to stand your ground, know your value, and continue showing up with confidence and purpose.

Work-life balance is a big topic in the construction industry, especially in the type of work that we do. Most of our projects are in very remote locations, not all, but a large majority. We are a specialty foundation company, so we focus on stabilizing the ground so that major infrastructure can be built - things like dams, bridges, and high-rise buildings. Because of how specialized our work is, we've worked on critical projects across the country. For example, we've worked on dams in Alaska near the North Pole, projects like Moose Creek, work in Colorado, and also securing the walls around Lake Okeechobee in Florida. The nature of this work means our teams have to mobilize constantly. You can't just hire someone off the street to do what we do - our skillset is very specific. With that comes one of our biggest challenges: work-life balance. Our jobsite schedules are typically 12 hours a day in remote locations, and that makes it difficult to create a sustainable lifestyle for many people. I think this is something the construction industry really needs to take a closer look at, especially if we want to attract younger talent and build a more diverse workforce. As a woman in the industry and someone who leads our construction chapter within the Bauer Foundation in the U.S., I see this challenge very clearly. We've made progress, but we're not where we need to be yet. The reality is that these demanding jobsite schedules can be especially difficult for women, particularly those who are mothers or planning to start families. Because of that, many women in our industry tend to move into corporate or office-based roles rather than staying in the field. It's not a question of capability - it's a question of structure. And I believe that's one of the biggest challenges we need to address if we truly want to move the construction industry forward.

Loyalty and honesty are two values I hold very close. At the same time, I recognize that one of my challenges is not always putting myself first. That can be both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because it reflects my desire to be there for others and to live out a sense of purpose and service. But it can also be a drawback, because constantly putting others, the company, or responsibilities ahead of myself can take a toll on my own life and well-being. I'm learning that while caring for others is important, maintaining balance and making space for myself matters just as much.