Superior Women in Construction (SWiC) is an internal initiative and talent development program that empowers women and drives innovation across the company and industry. SWiC is prioritized by and supported at the highest levels of Superior’s leadership, with the directive for its formation coming straight from owner and CEO Nick Largura.

SWiC was created to

Attract, retain, and grow top female talent
Advance the future of women in the construction industry
Increase the visibility of women in the construction industry

“We want to be intentional in making Superior among the best places to work while building future leaders. As the industry continues to evolve, we must empower women in order to advance construction. This program aims to do both,” said Nick Largura, Superior’s CEO.

What is SWiC Lead?

The company-wide initiative includes the SWiC LEAD program, a leadership development component designed with a certified executive and team coach that promotes a diverse leadership pipeline aligning with Superior’s shift to empower all employees and establish us as an industry leader.

First launched in fall 2022, the yearlong SWiC LEAD program is designed to identify motivated women in the construction industry and offer them essential personal and professional development tools. In developing the initiative, company executives selected 12 rising women leaders to participate in the pilot program. SWiC LEAD has since expanded to comprise women from every market and practice area, including our skilled craft workers.

“The women selected for the initial pilot program weren’t chosen because they ‘deserved it more’ or out of personal partiality,” said Scott Witt, Chief Financial Officer. “The program was ultimately designed for all women across the company; we just had to establish a starting place, accelerate leadership capacity, and build to that point.”

Each year, a new class of SWiC LEAD candidates will embark on the program, which includes:

A supportive forum to learn, grow and share experiences with their colleagues
Monthly group coaching on customized leadership topics
Individual career coaching sessions to personalize professional development
A mentor program to tap the knowledge and experience of seasoned Superior leaders
Completion of a collective team project centered around creating value for Superior

“The inaugural SWiC LEAD program developed our leadership skills and helped us build confidence. At the beginning, several participants expressed self-doubt or imposter syndrome. But, as the program progressed, we grew increasingly confident in our unique skills, perspectives and opportunities to contribute to the next generation of construction professionals.” – Jessica Paske, SHRM-CP, CPTD, SWiC LEAD graduate

WHO CAN JOIN SWiC?

While SWiC LEAD candidates are selected by committee, the broader SWiC initiative welcomes all Superior employees, regardless of gender, who want to foster equity in our traditionally male-dominated industry. To expand the program’s impact, Superior has engaged men and women in projects spearheaded by SWiC LEAD to foster company-wide collaboration and further bridge the gender gap. Any Superior employee can become involved as a partner, champion or mentor.

“The support Superior’s senior leadership gives the SWiC LEAD program enhances participant visibility. It makes you feel seen and valued”
~Sherice Rivas, Corporate Risk Manager and SWiC LEAD graduate

Beyond Superior

To advocate for women across our entire industry, SWiC graduates are encouraged to volunteer with organizations working to advance and empower women in construction. So far, they’ve organized or participated in various events, including:

Partnering with Purdue Women in Construction Management, including providing branded polo shirts for the program and sponsoring their annual golf outing
Participating in a nontraditional employment workshop for Porter County Care & Technical Education, introducing 8th-grade female students to construction careers
Sponsoring a Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIWA) motivational luncheon and a mixer for the NWIIWA’s Influential Women Awards
Sponsoring polo shirts for the University of North Florida WIC Club and presenting on heavy civil project engineer career paths at a speaking event
Attending numerous high school and university career fairs to recruit more women
Participating in a career fair hosted by the PACE Center for Girls
Speaking at a Job Corps Career Academy event and the American Heart Association’s Women in STEAM event

SWiC in the News

The SWiC initiative has been featured across a variety of industry media:

Amy Henningfield shares insights on Women Talk Construction podcast (May 2024)
How major contractors open doors for women (Construction Dive)
Superior’s Inaugural Women in Construction Class Graduates From Innovative Pilot Program (Construction Equipment Guide)
Scott Witt discusses SWiC on Women Talk Construction podcast (June 2023)
Meet Superior Construction’s WIC Initiative (Asphalt Pro)
Superior Construction Launches ‘Superior Women in Construction’ Initiative (Informed Infrastructure)

Empowering Women. Advancing Construction.