Market Outlook: Developer, Owner, and GC Planned and Upcoming Projects

Nancy Lee

Purchasing Manager - Shawmut Design and Construction

As purchasing manager for Shawmut, a $1.6 billion construction management firm, Nancy evaluates, maintains, and grows the firm’s trade partner base. She is a leading force in Shawmut’s efforts to expand its Underrepresented Business Enterprise (UBE) partnerships, representing the firm in WBEC-West (Women's Business Enterprise Council) and SCMSDC (Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council). Nancy’s background in both estimating and purchasing gives her a holistic view to identify mutually beneficial partnerships and projects, with a long-term view in mind.  In her role, Nancy monitors local and national markets for trends, opportunities, possible impacts, and future demands.

Faten Fawzy

Faten Fawzy is a distinguished Estimating Manager with 20 years of profound experience, primarily in heavy civil and building construction. Her comprehensive background encompasses architectural, structural, civil, and construction engineering, which has substantially contributed to her success in leading estimates for multitude of large and complex projects. Her expertise also extends to alternative project deliveries, construction management, team leadership, project cost control, and mentoring small businesses across the state of CA. Fawzy's holds a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her scholarly contributions to the field are notable, with publications in prestigious journals and conferences on topics such as precast and prestressed concrete design. Her innovative mindset, coupled with her ability to manage cost while enhancing constructability, combined with her goals of developing awareness of diversity and inclusion at work and her community renders Fawzy an invaluable asset to the construction industry.

Chief Estimator - Flatiron Corporation

Sharla Sullivan

Outreach & Partnerships Manager - Webcor

I specialize in engaging communities through education by storytelling while managing perceptions and relationships to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes for projects, programs and initiatives. I strive to build respectful, accurate and inclusive story narratives through strategic communications planning that's engaging and equitable. Most importantly, I love my work and would love to help my clients tell their stories.

  • Specialties: Story-telling, relationship building, supplier diversity maximization, workforce development, strategic communication planning, government and community relations, community engagement, project management, community education programing, event planning, alternative dispute resolution, and CEQA EIR and other environmental impact outreach projects.

Christi Powell

Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Lead - 84 Lumber Company

Christi is a trailblazing force in the construction industry with 30+ years of experience in commercial and residential sales of building materials and the last 4 years as the leader of the WBE Division at 84 Lumber Company. A fierce advocate for women in construction, she is dedicated to breaking barriers and empowering females in the construction industry. Christi leads the Women Business Enterprise (W.B.E.) Division at 84 Lumber Company, championing diversity and inclusion while actively supporting the 7900+ associates and driving sales for the WBE certifications 84 Lumber holds.

  • Her unwavering commitment to sales, building the workforce, and building women has earned her numerous accolades and awards for her contributions to the industry. With a passion for excellence and a vision for a more inclusive future, she continues to pave the way for women in construction, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

Moderator: Priscilla Chavez

Manager of Business Development - PCL Construction Services

Priscilla Chavez is manager of business development for PCL Construction Services – California Buildings in Los Angeles and has been with the company for 7 years. In her previous role, Chavez was the architect for the region’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy. Her leadership in the DEI space has contributed on the success of many: PCL’s California region and its clients, small and diverse certified firms, and the local workforce, which includes individuals from marginalized communities. From her new vantage point of business development, Priscilla is uniquely positioned to continue acting as an agent for change in diversity and inclusion by assisting and consulting with clients how they can be impactful in the space. She can simultaneously speak to how community investment impacts lives while connecting it to the bottom line.