Women in Construction Week 2026: Lori Bartho

When Lori Bartho decided to step away from a long career in education, she did not expect construction to become her next chapter. She wanted a healthier work life balance, the chance to grow in a new direction, and a team environment where her strengths would matter. What she found on her first construction job surprised her. The pace, the people, the collaboration, and the shared responsibility felt familiar in all the right ways. The industry clicked immediately. 

As we celebrate Women in Construction Week 2026, recognized nationally through NAWIC WIC Week, we are highlighting women whose careers show what is possible when transferable skills and new opportunities align. Lori’s story is one of them.

How Lori Found Her Path in Construction

After more than 20 years in education, Lori brought with her the strengths that construction depends on: communication, multitasking, patience under pressure, and the ability to keep many moving parts organized. When she joined Big-D Construction Midwest as a project administrator, she quickly realized the skills she had developed in classrooms were exactly the skills that kept project teams running smoothly. 

For Lori, a sense of belonging was almost immediate.  

“I definitely wanted to be part of a team where I felt valued and respected, knowing that somebody is counting on me,” Lori said. She found that environment in construction. Her work now includes supporting field teams, coordinating documentation, communicating with partners, and helping make sure her projects stay aligned. 

Her story shows why diverse backgrounds in the construction industry are essential. When people enter the industry from different professional backgrounds, they bring fresh perspectives, new approaches, and strengths shaped outside traditional construction roles. Lori believes this makes jobsites more inclusive and more effective because teams perform better when people feel trusted and supported. 

Her experience reflects the expanding range of construction career opportunities for women. Representation is growing not only in the trades and engineering roles but also in the operational and administrative positions that keep projects moving. Lori’s transition into construction is proof that a pathway does not have to be linear. It simply has to be open.