In honor of women’s history month, Taylor Design is reflecting on our legacy as one of the earliest female-founded U.S. architecture firms. Nearly 45 years after Linda Taylor set out on her own, we proudly carry on her tradition of 100-percent employee ownership in an organization with more than 50 percent female employees.

For 115 years, Lionakis has been designing, engineering, planning and shaping the Greater Sacramento region and beyond, with notable projects including the award-winning Sacramento River Water Intake Structure, the Cosumnes River College light rail station and the DMV headquarters.

Prior to launching DesCor Builders in February 2005, founders Brad DesJardin and Neal Cordeiro asked themselves, “How do we create a business that is truly built to last and that can sustain its culture for multiple generations into the future?” 

For the last 20 years, Roseville-based LP Consulting Engineers, Inc.(LPCE)  has been providing award-winning, full-service design, and engineering resources. 

Amanda King, the leadership coach on the Foreman’s Development and Leadership Training NECA team is encouraged and inspired by NECA’s efforts to support women and make them feel valued. 

Jennifer Bryne is a NECA member and accounting manager with T&R Communications. She has over 20 years of industry experience and is passionate about creating an accessible industry for everyone. 

“Architecture is a team sport that depends on collaboration and diverse viewpoints, including those of women,” says Beth Young, principal and Sacramento office director of HGA. “I’ve seen the industry’s landscape change, with more women hired and more women promoted to leadership positions, and HGA is at the leading edge of that evolution.”

With twice the national average of women in construction, the employee-owners at general contractor Hensel Phelps believe they can grow only by challenging each other to think and act differently.

Tamara Rapozo serves on the NECA board and is the division manager of Rosendin Electric, Inc. in Sacramento.