At Wise, we believe celebrating and empowering women in our industry goes beyond just one week. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive environment where women — and all team members — feel valued and encouraged year-round.
For Women in Construction Week 2025, we embraced the National Association of Women in Construction’s theme, Together We Rise, by asking our Wise Women to reflect on the mentors and peers who have supported their journey. Their stories highlight the meaningful connections that continue to shape our industry.
From: Nicole Martin
To: Jessica Hill
“I met Jess at a family gathering about 15 years ago. I was lucky enough to get seated at her table and got to know her a little bit. I was unhappy at my current job, and Jess said that they were hiring at Wise and she would love for me to come in for an interview with her boss. I was so appreciative of the opportunity, especially because I didn’t know her too well at the time, and she saw something in me to give me the push to go to this interview. I was lucky enough to then get hired by Wise and work next to Jess for a few years when I first started here. She was so patient and willing to teach me what she knew. Over the years of getting to know her, she continues to be so supportive even though we don’t work in the same department anymore. She is a true mentor, and she deserves all the credit in the world for being such a hard-working, independent woman!!”
From: Amanda Cramphin
To: Amanda Mendonca
“She took me in with no experience in this industry or role. She has shown me patience throughout my whole time here as I learned the systems and tasks of payroll. She is an avid team player and is always taking on other responsibilities and/or answering questions to assist the team. She is truly irreplaceable with the knowledge and experience she has here at Wise.”
From: Kerry Hubbard
To: Kristen LeBlanc
“Since I started at Wise almost two years ago, Kristen and I have worked closely together, and she has helped me grow in countless ways. From my very first day, it became clear that, in addition to her many years of experience in construction marketing, her diligence, patience, and approachability are what truly make her an outstanding colleague and mentor. I admire the calm, collected demeanor she maintains in the fast-paced, deadline-driven work acquisition process. This, combined with her keen aptitude for organization and communication, has taught me so much—I am constantly learning new management skills from her. Kristen is a true seasoned professional and a wonderful person all around, and I am fortunate to have someone like her supporting both my professional and personal growth.”
From: Donna MacPhail
To: Jessica Hill
“Jessica Hill has been my inspiration for 16+ years. She is always confident and instills confidence in others, she has tremendous patience when teaching and training, and she happily shares her knowledge and does so in a professional manner. She looks forward to new challenges, which makes us want to accomplish them too.”
From: Debora Juliao
To: Julia Kalaev
“Shout out to Julia, who I had the pleasure of working with as an APM on our First Street Market project in Cambridge, MA. It was an exciting and dynamic project, and throughout it all, Julia’s expertise and leadership stood out. Her ability to manage details, stay organized, and keep things moving forward taught me so much. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside her. Thanks for being such a fantastic mentor, Julia!”
From: Sonia Cabral
To: Maryann Laferriere
“I would like to recognize and give a big shout-out to Maryann Laferriere. Although she is often one of the quieter voices in the office, she manages, oversees, and supports many of our team members.
During my onboarding process at Wise, Maryann was welcoming and willing to provide direction and guidance while I navigated through not just the first weeks of my employment but any time thereafter. Her demeanor is always pleasant, and her personality is refreshing. Thank you, Maryann. I appreciate you!!!!!”
From: Noreen McDonnell
To: Laura Player & Jodi Tinkham
“Laura is one of the many incredible women I admire at Wise Construction. She’s not only kind, relatable, and great at what she does, but she’s also someone I look up to for guidance and support. She’s a natural problem solver, stays cool under pressure, and leads her team with both professionalism and a great sense of fun.
On top of her strong work ethic, Laura is an amazing mom who still makes time for herself, something I truly admire. She somehow squeezes in a 5 AM CrossFit class, gets her kids to school, and shows up to work ready to take on the day with a smile and some great words of wisdom. I feel so lucky to have her in my corner as both a colleague and a role model!”
“Jodi is one of the many remarkable women I admire at Wise Construction. She is known for her kindness, unwavering support, and willingness to help others. As both a colleague and a friend, she is someone I can always rely on, whether for professional guidance or a thoughtful ear.
Jodi consistently looks out for those around her, ensuring our billing stays on track with gentle reminders and stepping in wherever help is needed. Her dedication, teamwork, and positive presence make a meaningful impact every day. I truly value her contributions and the kindness she brings to our team.”
From: Jessica Hill
To: Liane Phillips
“When I started at Wise over 25 years ago, I had just graduated from high school and was unclear about what I wanted to pursue as a career. Liane Phillips has been an incredible role model to me; she has always supported and encouraged me to work hard and to push myself out of my comfort zone, especially when unexpected life challenges would arise. Liane paved the way for not only me but for many other women at Wise. She showed me that you can have a career in the industry while also mastering work-life balance.”
From: Gabriela Santos
To: Julia Kalaev & Kerry Pavey
“Big shout-out to Julia & Kerry for mentoring me the past few years. Both are strong, dedicated, and knowledgeable. They are very diligent in maintaining a schedule flow by identifying critical items for the development of projects. They taught me about discipline and consistency. I’m very grateful for their leadership.”
From: Alexandra Comiskey
To: Laura Player & Noreen McDonnell
“Laura Player has been a constant source of inspiration and guidance since I began at Wise in 2021. Her leadership, resilience, and belief in our team — and our company — have left a lasting impression on me. Laura has an incredible way of encouraging those around her to step up, take ownership, and push their ideas forward — always with the confidence that we’re capable of achieving more than we realize. Her mentorship has shaped not only my career but also the way I approach challenges with positivity and purpose. She’s the reason I love my job as much as I do.”
“Noreen McDonnell is someone I deeply admire for her tenacity, knowledge, and incredible ability to bring people together. As someone who didn’t study Construction Management, I’ve leaned on Noreen countless times to help me better understand the industry. Despite her busy schedule, she’s always willing to take the time to answer my questions and guide me. Seeing her shine on her projects — and knowing firsthand how much heart she puts into her work — is incredibly inspiring. As both a friend and colleague, I’m grateful for her support and the example she sets. She deserves all the recognition she can get.”
Make sure to check out our three individual features: Suhani & Gabriela, Victoria & Stephanie, and Jessica Ronayne.
