Schedule
The registration for the Summit includes the the Reception on April 28 and the all-day program on April 29. All events take place at UMass Amherst.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
2:00-4:00pm
5:00 - 7:00pm
Preconference Sessions
Additional registration is required for the Preconference Sessions. Space is limited. Preconference Sessions take place at UMass Amherst (1st Floor Campus Center).
Heather Currier Hunt, Perkins&Will
Performing Beautifully - Constructing Net Zero Carbon on a Budget: Learning Session & Tour
Sara Gewurz, Payette
Inez Ow, Payette
Networking Reception
Amherst Room (10th Floor Campus Center)
Hotel UMass, 91 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
7:45 - 8:30am
8:30- 8:40am
8:40- 9:40am
9:55 - 10:50am
11:05am - 12:00pm
12:00 - 12:35pm
12:35 - 12:45pm
12:45 - 1:05pm
1:20 - 2:15pm
2:35 - 3:30pm
3:45 - 4:15pm
4:15 - 4:25pm
Registration & Light Continental Breakfast
Auditorium Lobby (1st Floor Campus Center)
Hotel UMass, 91 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA
Welcome Remarks
Nancy Greenwald, Executive Director, Construction Institute
Opening Keynote
Building a Home, Building a Movement
Shabana Basij-Rasikh, School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA)
Sponsored by Suffolk Construction
Panel Discussion
Building Forward: Women Who Opened Doors and Those Who Are Expanding Them
Amanda Crowl, Turner Construction Company
Amanda Forde, Massachusetts State College Building Authority
Lindsey Fortunato, Fortunato Construction Group
Karri May, A/Z Corporation, Moderator
Michelle Scarpone, CBIZ
Sponsored by Gilbane
Morning Breakout sessions - Learn more about the Breakout Session Tracks
Practical Self-Care for Leaders
Anna Greenwald, On the Goga
AI as Your Competitive Edge: Real Women, Real Stories, Real Impact
Iramis Luz Audet, Cumming Group
Sarah Farrell, Perkins&Will
Elena Miller, DOC
Cathy Murphy, USG Ceilings
Storytelling Frameworks for High Impact Teams
Erin Miller, First Cliff AEC Consulting
Delay Is Inevitable, Outcomes Are Not: A Forensic and Legal Perspective for Managing Successful Construction Projects
Liling Cao, Thornton Tomasetti
Virginia Trunkes, Robinson + Cole LLP
Lunch
Pop-Up Session
Brain Food: A Quick Energizing Reset
Anna Greenwald, On the Goga
Champions of Change Awards Presentation
Early Afternoon Breakout sessions - Learn more about the Breakout Session Tracks
Rewire for Wealth: Money Moves that Build Wealth in Any Economy
Tess Waresmith, Wealth With Tess
Navigating Tariffs and Supply‑Chain Disruption in Construction
Gregory Faulkner, Robinson & Cole LLP
Adam Hanover, CohnReznick LLP
Conceive, Construct, Celebrate: Science on Display
Elizabeth Clarkin, Consigli Construction
Sindu Meier, William Rawn Associates, Architects
Angela Nelson, Museum of Science
Coaching Skills for People Leaders
Liz Myers, Integrative Leadership Strategies
Mid-Afternoon Breakout sessions - Learn more about the Breakout Session Tracks
Building a More Equitable Future Through the WELL Equity Rating: An Insider’s Perspective
Cameron Gill, Amenta Emma Architects
Debra Seay, Amenta Emma Architects
Sponsored by Amenta Emma Architects
Prefab in Practice: Real-World Applications from Shop to Site
Anna DiLorenzo, SLD Technology
Luiza Mills, Interstate Electrical Services Corporation
William Seery, Consigli Construction
Strong Foundations: Building Confidence for Women in Construction
Leah Zambetti Ryan, BXP, Inc.
Jessica Zeliger, Commodore Builders
Alondra De Leon, Gilbane Building Company
Sponsored by O'Reilly, Talbot & Okun Engineering Associates
Building Better Outcomes: Smarter Ways to Resolve Disputes
Elsbeth Koefer, American Arbitration Association
Jennifer Millender, American Arbitration Association
Afternoon Keynote
Heather Currier Hunt, Perkins&Will
Closing Remarks & Raffle Drawing