Women across Blattner are leading projects, strengthening teams, solving challenges and shaping the company’s future. The Women of Influence Summit gives them an opportunity to connect and build on the influence they already bring.
As community sponsor, Blattner brought more than 130 women from projects across the company and our corporate headquarters in Avon, Minnesota, to this year’s summit. They joined more than 700 professionals from across industries to exchange ideas and explore perspectives on leadership.
The event’s speakers and content highlighted that growth can mean trusting your experience, using your voice and taking the next step.
The connections began before the summit. Blattner’s Women’s Employee Resource Group brought our attendees together the day before the event for a gathering where leaders shared personal perspectives on bravery and leadership. That sense of connection carried into the summit and created a foundation for learning and fresh perspectives.
For Afi Taylor, HR Solutions Partner, seeing so many Blattner women and other professionals together was powerful. “There are amazing women here supporting each other and making a difference in our industry and the world around us,” she said.
Azeneth Mora, Field Learning and Development Trainer, came away with greater clarity about what she already brings to her role. “I went in assuming I’d relate to the ‘find your voice’ messaging, and instead, walked away with more clarity on what I already have handled, and where my real growth edges actually are,” she said.
For Carla Schaefer, Estimating Support Specialist, she found renewed perspective. “Connecting with other women leaders and professionals helps us re-energize, refocus on what matters and reminds us ‘not to sweat the small stuff,’” she said.
Marinda Bottesi, Project Manager, found value in seeing different approaches to leadership and how those perspectives strengthen teams.
At the event, attendees considered how they influence the people around them.
That idea resonated with Marinda. “We may not be able to control everything that happens around us, but we can have a tremendous impact on the environment we create,” she said. “We can influence how people feel when they interact with us, how comfortable they feel when speaking up, and ultimately how well a team is able to work together.”
Carla found a practical way to strengthen her influence through curiosity. “I learned that sometimes leadership includes being curious enough to ask questions before deciding the best approach,” she said.
For Afi, the theme reinforced that courage looks different for everyone. “The way bravery looks varies depending on the person and situation,” she said.
Azeneth gained clarity on the strengths she already trusts and the areas she wants to continue developing.
Carla plans to ask more questions before making decisions and practice pausing before responding.
Azeneth is bringing back “a sharper sense of where my strengths already are, and a reminder that connection doesn’t require everyone’s struggles to look the same to be real.”
Afi wants others to recognize the value of being yourself, “I see myself making an impact at Blattner by showing up authentically,” she said. “There are examples everywhere of ways to show up in the world, but I want to show that you can be yourself and still be seen as more than capable.”
Marinda is focusing on what her leadership makes possible for others. “I left the summit feeling inspired to be more intentional about the environment I create for the people around me,” she said.
Across every conversation and reflection, one idea stood out: there is no single path to leadership. The women who attended brought different experiences, strengths and perspectives, and each found value in learning from others.
“Raising the knowledge, experience and participation levels for the women of Blattner makes us stronger as a company,” Carla said.
Interested in bringing your experience and perspective to Blattner?
Explore careers and culture at Blattner.