Building Change: Carrie Hunter on Inclusion and Opportunity
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At Chicago Build, we’re proud to highlight leaders driving change in construction. Carrie Hunter, Women in Construction Ambassador, has built a successful career while mentoring others and championing inclusivity across the industry.
In this interview, Carrie shares her journey, the challenges women face, and the programs making a real impact. Her insights show why empowering women strengthens not only teams, but the industry as a whole.
About Carrie Hunter:
Carrie Hunter brings over 25 years of sales and management experience spanning tech startups to Fortune 100 companies, with global reach across the construction, textile, and communications industries. For the past two decades, she has held senior leadership roles driving technology innovation in the communications and construction sectors.
As a founding executive at construction tech startup Sensera Systems, Hunter played a pivotal role in transforming the company from its early stages into a leading manufacturer of solar-powered, battery-operated cameras—contributing significantly to its rapid growth and market leadership.
Today, as Vice President of Business Development at JobSiteCare, she helps deliver concierge healthcare to the construction industry. In her words: “This role allows me to combine my genuine care for workers on site with the ability to deliver better outcomes for my clients—improving safety, health, and profitability on every project. My passion for this industry and the people in it drives me to find better solutions every day.”
1. What are some of the challenges women face in construction?
Preconceived notions that they can’t do the job as well as men. Not being included in the “boys club”. Assumptions that they are going to be emotional and irrational.
2. What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has kept you motivated?
Early on in my career I was given an opportunity to work for a small general contractor; I worked closely with the President of that company who later became one of my mentors. I loved learning about the industry and fell in love with building things and understanding how we made a difference in the community. Although I moved out of the industry for part of my career, fast forward years later, I had the opportunity to take on an executive role with a company that would bring me back into the construction industry and I jumped at it (and I never left after that)! I love how passionate people are in this industry and how we make differences around the globe, adding to the landscape of every community in a positive way. The people in this industry are all salt of the earth people and it makes me very proud to work along side them.
3. What initiatives or programs have you seen that are making a real difference for women in this field?
WIC week every year in March is always filled with great events, podcasts, panel discussions and thought leadership focused on women in construction – and I love it! As much as I love it though, it’s always a stark reminder that there is still so much more work to be done. Outside of just WIC week, there are also many great companies such as Ambition Theory, The Leadership Cabin and The Blueprint for Change that are working hard to make a difference in the industry. There are SO many passionate, outstanding women in this field – it’s just a matter of IF they get the opportunity to shine. I have participated in many WIC groups and events and with some other incredible women, have even started a WIC chapter in Denver (my homebase) to encourage the conversation and to shine a light on all the amazing things women in the industry are doing (and can do, if given the opportunity).
4. In your role as an Ambassador, how do you help amplify women’s voices in construction?
For many years now, I have been a mentor to other women in the industry and I regularly participate in events and conversations (podcasts, panel discussions, etc.) that are focused on WIC. In addition to this (as I mentioned above), have started a WIC group/chapter in Denver to bring women in the industry together and to provide local support and networking. Having the ambassador role allows me to remind everyone once again that there is still more work to be done and that women are an integral piece of the construction industry.
5. What advice would you give to young women considering a career in construction today?
I would absolutely tell them to go for it! Understanding some of the hurdles ahead of them, I would remind them to be confident in who they are and what they know. Women have such a unique perspective and that will elevate and bring so much to any team that they join.
Connect with Carrie Hunter:
