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The Lerch Bates Women+ Impact Network recently hosted a panel to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, moderated by Alyssa McGrath, Vice President of Acquisitions and Integration. The panel featured three Lerch Bates employee-owners:
The panelists discussed their careers, the importance of mentorship and advice they have for younger generations while celebrating the 2025 IWED theme of #TogetherWeEngineer. All three panelists echoed throughout the webinar that internal and external relationships are not only crucial to your professional development but performing your best in day-to-day tasks.
“We need to do better at creating an environment that women are comfortable in and want to stay in during their careers as I have seen many women become discouraged and choose other professions,” Powell said. “This is why mentorship is really important so that women can see they are capable and that their thoughts and ideas matter.”
In the webinar, McGrath shared that only 16% of architects and engineers are women*. Interestingly, all three panelists became engineers organically through their personal interests and family members, and stressed the importance of early exposure to STEM careers. As McMurtry said, we increase the number of women in the AEC field ‘one engineer at a time.’
Another common thread throughout the panel was the importance of communicating to clients with confidence, which can take many forms. Relationship building, hearing new perspectives and even saying you aren’t sure of the answer can create clarity in client interactions.
“One thing for me, being early on in my career, is being comfortable saying that you don’t have the answer off the top of your head,” Patterson said. “It’s a little awkward at first admitting that you don’t know, but it’s a lot more helpful to run an extra calculation or check with another person and get back to them later. They respect you for taking that step back.”
McMurtry went on to add: “Ask questions to those external to your company, such as contractors or subcontractors, and collaborate with them to get a unique perspective on ideas they might have for the project which builds stronger relationships, trust and respect.
Events like this panel are a powerful reminder of the impact mentorship and open dialogue can have in shaping the future of engineering. By sharing their journeys, Traci, Anna, and Jodi celebrated the spirit of International Women in Engineering Day with a focus on inspiring the next generation. At Lerch Bates, we remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and empowered—because together, we engineer a better tomorrow.
To request access to the full webinar recording, click here.
*According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
