Building Belief: How Heather Brown Found Her Voice—and Helped Others Find Theirs

When Heather Brown stepped into the construction industry, she wasn’t thinking about breaking barriers or defying expectations.

She just wanted to be a part of something real. Something that built things—and built up people.

“I didn’t think of myself as ‘a woman in construction,’” says Brown. “I just thought I ‘want to be a part of what’s happening.’”

But as the years went on, she began to realize the quiet power of her presence. By simply showing up, doing the work and leading with heart, she was inspiring others in ways she hadn’t imagined.

“I’ve realized that just by being who I am, I’ve become a role model…even for people I didn’t realize were watching.”

So she knew she needed to talk to those people directly. Too often, she says, girls grow up thinking they only can pursue specific careers. She started visiting middle schools to inform young girls in particular that construction was indeed an option for them, a good path with abundant opportunity.

And now, students who once planned on becoming teachers or nurses found a new path in construction because someone helped them see their strengths—such as a caring heart and strong communications skills—in a new light.

“You have to care about people. You have to want to see people succeed other than yourself,” she says. “We wouldn’t get a construction project done if we didn’t care about the other people on the project and making sure they were having a good, successful day.”

Now, Brown sees herself as more than a builder of projects—she’s a builder of belief for young women and for anyone who’s ever thought, “maybe that’s not for me.”

“I just want men and women of all walks of life to understand there’s a place for them in construction.”

Find where you belong—explore your future in construction.