Speaking Sessions

When the usual play isn’t working, it’s time to change the approach. Zoe Rinker challenges us to look beyond “the way we’ve always done it” and recognize the incredible range of skills we already bring to the field. The talk will explore how transferable skills, diverse experiences, and a willingness to ask different questions can unlock creative solutions to tough problems. Attendees will leave ready to challenge assumptions, draw from their whole career toolbox, and bring fresh thinking to the projects, teams, and communities they’re building.

About Zoe

Zoe has spent over a decade making things happen across the government, nonprofit, real estate, and start-up sectors. She’s tackled everything from expanding green space to steering smart urban growth—always a sharp eye for strategy and a knack for getting the right people in the room. She’s built organizations from scratch, wrangled multi-million dollar government projects, and somehow still finds joy in breaking down complex issues into actionable items. Her former employers include the City of Baltimore, Recity (a real estate data startup), and the Savannah Tree Foundation. Zoe is currently the Business Development Director at Level CRE, an independent commercial real estate firm providing brokerage and consulting services to property owners, tenants, nonprofits, investors, and developers throughout Savannah and Coastal Georgia. 

Zoe is a Savannah native and a Yale University graduate. Zoe has spoken frequently on the nexus of community development, environmental stewardship, and economic growth throughout Coastal Georgia, most notably taking the stage at the 2023 TEDx Savannah conference. She is currently Chairperson of the Chatham County Tree Board and Co-Chair of the Sponsorship Committee for the Urban Land Institute's Savannah Satellite. She is, perhaps most importantly, Chief Operating Officer of the Rinker Household, which includes two put-upon pitbulls, one sassy toddler, one construction-obsessed little boy, and one construction-obsessed husband. 

The in and out of NAWIC!  From history to present, what NAWIC is, what we aren't and how you can get involved.  

Bylaws 101. A birds-eye view of NAWIC's bylaws and the important things to look out for when running a chapter and conducting business. 

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About Karen

Karen has been in the construction industry since 1986.  She began her construction industry career as an Accounting Clerk for a Longwood Florida based HVAC company and worked her way up to Controller.   She left her 29-year career for the position of Chief Financial Officer for a site development company in Sanford, Florida and is now working for AB Design Group, LLC, an architectural and engineering firm in Longwood, Florida, as their CFO/Human Resource Manager.

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Karen enjoys helping other women in the construction industry, offering guidance and experience whenever needed.  For this reason, she was honored to serve as the NAWIC National President 2023-2024.  She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an accounting focus and holds CBT, CDP, CDT, CIS, CIT, ESP designations from the NAWIC Education Foundation.  

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Creative ideas for chapters to leverage their resources to host a successful WIC Week and recruit members for their chapters, given that it is the most important week of the year for NAWIC.

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About Bree

Breanna Hollaway sparked her love for engineering at an early age which led her to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University. She has been at Florida Power and Light for 11 years where she is currently an Engineering Supervisor for Major Projects and Construction where she leads a team of project managers responsible for the coordination, design, and execution of supplying power to new construction projects across the east coast of Florida.

She has been a member of the NAWIC Gr. Palm Beach chapter since 2025 where she currently serves on the Board of Directors, Membership Committee Chair, and WIC Week Committee Chair. In her free time she enjoys traveling, giving back to her community, and spending time with friends.

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Interactive huddle session all about Tradeswoman Committees! Discussion with how top about launching a successful tradeswomen committee for your chapter, reaching out to local tradeswomen, and supporting the trades in your area. 

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About Stephanie 

Stephanie “Q” Rodriguez is a construction professional, speaker, and Chair of the NAWIC Southeast Region Tradeswomen Committee. A passionate advocate for women in the field, Stephanie focuses on creating practical ways for NAWIC to better connect with, support, and amplify tradeswomen throughout the region.

Under her leadership, the SER Tradeswomen Committee has expanded its outreach, strengthened chapter involvement, and grown the Site Sister Kit Initiative, bringing together NAWIC members, tradeswomen, and industry partners around a shared mission of making sure women on the jobsite feel seen, supported, and connected.

Stephanie believes some of NAWIC's greatest opportunities begin by listening to the women doing the work—and then turning those conversations into action.

Building a successful PD&E Program for your Chapter that Inspires, empowers and challenges your members to grow and learn.  

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About Heather

Heather Nelson brings more than 25 years of distinguished experience to the construction industry at Kimley-Horn, with a special emphasis on multimodal and building initiatives.

Her broad expertise covers aviation, roadway, and building construction, as well as the management and inspection of projects spanning from small, specialized endeavors to large-scale, multimillion-dollar capital improvement programs.

Heather’s construction management acumen encompasses every phase of a project’s lifecycle. She adeptly guides teams from initial scope development and documentation, through design, preconstruction permitting review, and the meticulous process of ensuring compliance with RFP scope requirements. Her strength lies in juggling multiple projects simultaneously, coordinating seamlessly with clients, stakeholders, and operations managers while providing hands-on, on-site supervision of construction teams.

Heather grew up in Colorado Springs, CO but currently resides in Crawfordville, FL. In her free time, she enjoys hunting, fishing and hiking with her husband.

Marketing can feel like a big lift for your chapter. Come to this interactive huddle session to learn more ways to make your marketing work for you! 

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About Jessica

Jessica is a creative force with a passion for connecting people and building strong relationships. As the founder of CLEM Coaching + Consulting, she helps entrepreneurs uplevel their businesses by crafting marketing and operational strategies that strictly align with their core values and mission.

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Jessica backs her creative intuition with strong business acumen. She holds an MBA and draws upon a diverse professional history spanning fashion, retail, sales, and operations. This unique blend of experience allows her to see the big picture for her clients, bridging the gap between creative vision and operational reality.

A deeply engaged community leader, Jessica is a TEDx speaker and currently serves as the Board President of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah. She is committed to local economic development, serving on the Woodville Tompkins Business Advisory Board and maintaining active membership in the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) since 2019.

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Outside of her professional work, you’ll find Jessica indulging in a good meal, cooking, enjoying art, and exploring the mysteries of self and spirituality. She lives in a maximalist, colorful home with her husband and cat.

Membership, Recruiting, and Retention: Tips & Tricks
Join the Southeast Region Membership chairs to hear their best practices for attracting, enjoying and retaining members for your chapter! 

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About Catherine 

Catherine White is a dedicated construction professional, leader, and advocate for women in the construction industry with more than 30 years of hands-on experience. Her career has included roofing, rebar detailing, estimating, drafting and CAD, building inspections, and project management. 

Catherine joined the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in 2021 and quickly became a passionate advocate for the organization and its mission. She recently completed a two-year term as President of NAWIC Memphis Chapter #13. She is particularly passionate about workforce development, mentorship, education, and helping women recognize the many career opportunities available within the construction industry.

Catherine is also a proven recruiter and NAWIC ambassador, having personally recruited more than 100 new members. Her recruitment and leadership efforts have earned her recognition at the national level. Her commitment to NAWIC extends beyond her local chapter through her service as Southeast Region Membership Co-Chair, where she has worked to support membership growth and encourage chapters throughout the region to strengthen their recruitment and retention efforts. 

Outside of her professional work and NAWIC involvement, Catherine is dedicated to her family and enjoys being an active part of the Memphis community. She continues to use her experience, voice, and passion to advocate for women in construction and help build a stronger, more inclusive future for the industry.

About Kate 

Kate Howick, PMP is the Director of Operations for Danella Engineering and Construction located in Melbourne, Florida. In this role she oversees all aspects of their design-build fiber optic network deployments for service provider contract work throughout the Southeast. She finds ways to improve program efficiencies and overall quality of deliverables. She is often the first line of defense when new systems are implemented. She serves as the project liaison between design teams, construction crews, and customers.

Kate has been in NAWIC for six years and has served on the Space Coast Chapter Board since 2021 holding Director, President, and Past President roles. She was recently installed as the Chapter Secretary for the 2026-2027 year. During her two-year tenure as President, her chapter grew in terms of membership and recognition and continues that steady upward trend. She has served as the Regional Membership Committee Chair for three consecutive years, providing continuity within the Committee. She has supported the National Membership Committee and continues to be an advocate for recruitment and retention policies at the National level. Kate was recognized as a Member Strong Recipient in 2025 and 2026. She proudly represented the Southeast Region as Member of the Year in 2025.