NUCA Celebrates Women in Construction Week

March 2-8 2025 was Women in Construction Week and we had the pleasure of spotlighting some NUCA EWNI members; Kammi Ruiz-DW Excavating, Felicia Bruyette-City of Coeur d’Alene, Mandy Beck-H2 Precast and Brooke Kelly-ACI Northwest

Kammi Ruiz is the HR and Safety Manager for DW Excavating Inc. in Davenport WA. And has officially been in construction for the past 2 years however, both her father and husband have been in construction so she was raised with and experienced the construction world through others before entering herself.

When asked what Kammi enjoys about working in the construction industry, she shared that she loves excavation;” the knowing and seeing a whole new world under your feet”. She said that she could stand at a job site from several years ago and still remember what it looked like when it was all torn up. The grass may fully grow over the dig site, but you can look at that area and see what was done.

When offering advice to women considering a career in construction, Kammi shared some truly inspiring words: "Don’t give in to self-doubt. Your mind may waver, but you don’t have to. You are smart enough for this job, you’re stronger than you think, and with proper training and guidance, you can handle any situation. Stay determined and don’t let anyone tell you that you can't achieve your goals."

Kammi expressed gratitude for her mentor Brandon as he never belittled her as she was developing in her career in construction and always offered professional coaching.  She would like people to know that not all women belong in construction, but not all men do either. It does take a special kind of person, however you can absolutely be that person if you are driven and determined. Construction work is serious business. The risks are a lot higher than you’d think, but the rewards are also much better than other jobs out there.

She doesn’t regret her career choices because they have helped shape her in ways she never knew she would need.

Kammi may have only been in excavation work for 2 years but she does have 10 plus years in construction/maintenance experience. She now works as the HR and Safety Manager, which never would have happened if she gave up on herself, she is happy that she just kept pushing on.

Felicia Bruyette is Administrative Assistant for the City of Coeur d’ Alene Water Department.

She has worked for the city for over 18 years, starting out in the finance department before moving into the water department.

When the Water Administrative Assistant announced their retirement, Felicia expressed great interest in applying for the position. She saw it as an opportunity to better understand the operational aspects of the City's water utility, beyond her existing interactions with customers. Having worked closely with the Water Department personnel for years, assisting customers with billing, service requests, and water usage queries, she believed her strong customer service skills, administrative expertise, and accounting background, combined with her good working relationship with Water Department employees, made her an ideal candidate for the role.

Felicia finds immense satisfaction in the dynamic nature of her role, appreciating the challenges and opportunities for continuous learning that come her way daily. She believes flexibility and organization are crucial skills for thriving in her field. What she cherishes most, however, is working alongside the dedicated individuals at the Water Department, where her role as a supportive team member brings her a sense of fulfillment and pride.

Her journey in the construction industry has been marked by both challenge and growth. One of her biggest hurdles was navigating the mechanical aspects of her role, an area where she initially felt unprepared due to her less hands-on background. However, her determination to learn and adapt proved stronger than her limitations. Thanks to her perseverance and the collaborative environment of her team, Felicia began to grasp concepts that once felt daunting.

When we asked Felicia what she wished more people knew about women in construction she said she believes that the contributions of women in construction often go unrecognized, particularly those working behind the scenes. She sees herself as an example of how women can play pivotal roles outside the field. Her work ensures seamless communication and coordination, underscoring the significance of women in the operational backbone of the industry.

She also expressed her enthusiasm for the future of her career, particularly as new technologies and processes continue to emerge, enhancing efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness in the field. She shared her aspiration to remain in the construction industry until her retirement, embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.

Mandy Beck, a Project Manager and Sales professional for H2Precast in Spokane, she began her career in the energy business before taking a break to focus on her family. When she decided to return to work, she sought a role that would challenge her, provide hands-on experiences, and allow her to interact with straightforward, down-to-earth individuals.

After two years in her current position, Mandy has developed a profound love for her work. She finds immense satisfaction in seeing projects she designed on her computer come to life and become integral parts of construction sites. Visiting job sites and observing the entire process firsthand has become one of her favorite aspects of the job. Mandy also enjoys the people she encounters in this industry, appreciating the camaraderie and unique personalities that make the field so engaging.

Initially, entering projects dominated by men with years of experience felt intimidating for Mandy. However, she adopted an approach rooted in expertise and proactive thinking—focusing on becoming an expert in her field and anticipating client needs before they voiced them. She believes this strategy transcends gender barriers and has been instrumental in her success.

She encourages others to pursue careers in construction, emphasizing its rewards and the mental stimulation it provides. She believes women bring unique perspectives to the field and naturally approach challenges differently, offering valuable insights. For Mandy, construction work isn’t about conforming to stereotypes—it’s about being tough, intelligent, strong, and demonstrating that women can excel in roles traditionally considered male-dominated. She feels comfortable navigating the industry’s rugged environment, even matching her male counterparts in banter and confidence.

With only two years in her current role, Mandy sees herself retiring in the construction industry. She thrives on the diversity of projects and the constant stream of new opportunities and obstacles, appreciating a career that keeps her intellectually engaged and far from boredom.

Brooke Kelly serves as a Project Manager and Estimator at ACI Northwest Inc., a role she transitioned into after spending seven years in the financial sector. Her journey into the construction industry began when an opportunity arose to work with Musselman Equipment, a local heavy equipment rental company, setting her on a path that would lead to a flourishing career in construction.

Brooke finds immense satisfaction in many aspects of her work, especially the camaraderie among colleagues, the sense of accomplishment in building communities, and the lifelong connections forged during projects. Of all these, she particularly treasures the challenges that accompany each new project, as they offer unique opportunities to learn and grow.

Navigating a male-dominated field presents certain perceptions that women may need to address, but Brooke views these situations not as obstacles, but as chances to demonstrate her capabilities and expertise. Her confidence in her knowledge and skills has helped dispel misconceptions about gender-related limitations, proving that women can excel alongside their male counterparts. Brooke encourages others to explore careers in the trades, emphasizing the fulfillment and lifelong opportunities they can offer. She advises individuals to continually seek knowledge, embrace learning experiences, and not shy away from asking for guidance from seasoned professionals in the field. Her philosophy is rooted in persistence, self-assurance, and staying true to one’s identity.

Believing in the distinct perspectives and energy women contribute to the construction industry, Brooke advocates for harnessing and valuing these qualities to create collaborative success. To her, the essence of teamwork lies in delivering the best product, project, and experience for customers, rather than competing or striving for equivalence.

NUCA is extremely proud to lift up and support not only these amazing Women in Construction but to encourage and celebrate ALL Women in Construction!!