FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Payton Sears, Marketing and Communications Lead
paytons@nawic.org
Two Visionary Leaders to Present Keynotes at NAWIC’s 70th Annual Conference in August
Emily Pilloton-Lam and Nikki Greenberg envision a construction industry future that’s transformed by women using both trade skills and new technologies.
June 30, 2025, – Ft. Worth, Texas
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is hosting their 70th Annual Conference from August 19 – 23 in Boston, MA and two changemaking women, Emily Pilloton-Lam and Nikki Greenberg, are the featured speakers.
“The construction industry is evolving – new technology, new challenges, and new opportunities. One thing is clear: the future must be more inclusive, innovative, and people-driven. Our keynote speakers this year know that every step we take today shapes the opportunities of tomorrow and I’m excited to hear what they have to say!” said Kelly Aust, President, NAWIC.
Emily Pilloton-Lam, founder and executive director of Girls Garage, will deliver her address titled “What If Women Built the World They Want to See?” on August 21. Drawing from more than fifteen years of experience leading young women and gender-expansive youth in designing and building community projects, Pilloton-Lam will explore how rethinking the construction and design trades can shape a more just and inclusive world.
As an architectural designer, educator and builder, Pilloton-Lam has led thousands of students in building pro bono civic projects that directly serve their communities. In her keynote, she will examine critical questions about the built environment: Who builds it? How is it built? What gets built — and why? “I want to walk on sidewalks, cross bridges and enter buildings that I know were raised by a community of builders that represents us all,” Pilloton-Lam said in a TED Talk. “New building technologies will require new skills and new perspectives to break from the way it’s always been done.”
Girls Garage, the nonprofit she founded, is the nation’s first design and building program dedicated to girls and gender-expansive youth. Based in Berkeley, Ca. it empowers young people to become fearless builders and leaders through hands-on construction education rooted in social and spatial justice.
Pilloton-Lam’s work has been featured on the TED stage, The Colbert Report, and in the documentary film If You Build It. She has held teaching appointments at UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design, UC Davis and Stanford University. At the heart of her message is the belief that access to tools, training and trust can transform not only structures – but lives.
Internationally known futurist and innovation strategist Nikki Greenberg will speak to the “Future of Construction.” The session, on August 23, will examine how emerging technologies and shifting workplace dynamics are transforming the construction industry – and the pivotal role everyone will play in building its future.
Greenberg, recognized globally for her work preparing organizations for the next phase in this tech-driven world, will explore how artificial intelligence, robotics and data-driven decision-making are redefining traditional construction industry business models.
Greenberg says that in this landscape of emerging technologies, “whether you are experienced or new to the industry, everyone has a role to play in shaping our industry’s future. Don’t think there isn’t a place for you. What you’re building today must stand the test of time. A futuristic mindset is not just for 20-year-olds. People in construction are problem solvers and have an intrinsically forward-looking mindset.”
Currently based in the U.S., Greenberg has held senior roles with Fortune 500 companies and most recently served as Head of Technology Strategy at QIC, an Australian investment manager with $65 billion in assets under management. She is also the founder of Women in PropTech and previously co-chaired the Urban Land Institute’s Technology & Innovation Council in New York City.
Holding master’s degrees in both architecture and commerce, Greenberg is a frequent speaker at global conferences and a recipient of numerous international awards. Her keynote promises to offer both practical takeaways and visionary insights for construction industry professionals looking to innovate.
For more information about NAWIC or the Annual Conference please visit nawic.org or contact Payton Sears, paytons@nawic.org
About NAWIC: The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) advocates for the value and impact of women builders, tradeswomen, and professionals in all aspects of the construction industry. With 120 chapters across the country, and more than 6,000 members, NAWIC offers its members opportunities for professional development, education, networking, and leadership training. To learn more, visit: nawic.org.
