Women in Construction Week 2026: Making gains, celebrating success

March 1 through 7 is Women in Construction Week, a week dedicated to celebrating the impact that women have made in the construction industry. To mark this week, here are profiles of two women with Leopardo Construction – which has Midwest offices in Chicago and Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and Cleveland — who have built their own successful careers in the construction industry. We asked these women about what led them to a career in construction, what steps they’ve taken to succeed and the advice they’d share with other women interested in this field. Here is what they had to say. Victoria TorresSenior Project ManagerLeopardo (Photo courtesy of Leopardo.) What first sparked your interest in construction, and what keeps you passionate about the work today?Victoria Torres: I studied architecture in college, but during my final year I interned at a construction company and quickly fell in love with the fast-paced, hands-on environment. Watching the design come to life is very rewarding, so I never looked back and stayed in construction. Today, what keeps me passionate is that every project, client, and challenge is different. I enjoy building a multitude of relationships while turning a lot of great designs into reality. Which project or accomplishment has been most meaningful in your career so far, and why?Torres: Over the past decade, I’ve delivered a wide range of commercial interior projects through the Chicago land area, many for Fortune 500 companies. Earning repeat busi...