Courtesy Tri Pointe Homes
While the percentage of women in home building continues to grow, it’s still relatively uncommon to find women leading job sites. Tri Pointe Homes’ CindyAnn Lucas is trying to break that stigma.
As a construction manager for the 18th-ranked home builder on the 2024 Builder 100 list, Lucas oversees home construction and training for assistant construction managers and interns. She was recognized as the Rising Star of the Year at the Phoenix MAME awards in 2023 and aims to be a mentor for other women looking to pursue careers in the dirt versus the office.
In the below Q&A, she discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, the unique strengths women bring to construction leadership, and how she hopes the role of women in construction will evolve over the next decade.
What inspired you to pursue a career in construction management, and how did you get started?
I’ve always been around construction in one way or another. As a child, I would help my dad lay out houses and walk job sites. He was a foreman for a framing company. I officially got started working at Lowe’s, managing their installed sales and remodel division. From there, I moved on to a project management role for an electrical upgrade at Luke Air Force Base. Once that project wrapped up, I worked for a remodeling company handling billing and scheduling, but I realized I preferred the hands-on, in-the-field aspect of project management. My dad was a superintendent for another builder at the time and suggested I give that a try. I took his advice and started as a customer service representative, then moved to the construction side as an assistant superintendant, before receiving a promotion to superintendent. I crossed paths with a couple of the managers at Tri Pointe Homes, was offered a position as a construction manager, and I’ve been happily at home with Tri Pointe ever since.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early on in your career, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I faced early on in my career was overcoming people’s perceptions of me. Oftentimes, they take one look at me and assume that I don’t have the experience and skills required to do the job. It can be frustrating to have to prove myself time and again to win them over, but unfortunately, that is the reality. On the flip side, I do have to say that I have some homeowners who are actually excited to see a woman in my position, which makes for a great time during construction.
What unique advantages do you think women bring to leadership roles in construction?
Women bring a different perspective to construction. For example, I like to take a step back and approach construction issues with deliberation and patience. In general, I also think women view details through a different lens. When I look at a punch list prior to a home’s completion, for example, I’ll often notice something that my male counterparts don’t. I have a unique way of working that is geared toward improving daily living, such as thinking about how a kitchen layout functions for someone who cooks every day, or how the design of a bedroom affects family dynamics. It’s the mixture of attentiveness and situational understanding that I think can give women an advantage in creating functional, livable homes.
Are there any specific challenges that women should prepare for in this industry, and how can they best navigate them?
Yes, there are certainly challenges, but the key is being prepared for them and navigating them with confidence. For example, home buyers can be surprised to encounter a female leader in construction. It’s just something to be prepared for.
Another challenge is cultural. In some cultures, it’s not always accepted that women hold positions of leadership. To overcome this, you have to ask your home buyers and trade vendors to trust you and then prove to them that you’re fully qualified and capable.
Finally, this industry requires you to have thick skin. You need to be able to handle pushback, criticism, and the rougher aspects of the job while maintaining your emotional intelligence. I’ve found that having a strong support network, like a weekly check-in with my area manager, goes a long way in keeping me level-headed and focused.
How do you see the role of women in construction evolving over the next decade?
I see women’s roles in construction growing exponentially over the next decade. When I first started, I was often the only woman in safety meetings, but it’s common to see 10 of us now. And it’s not just on the builder side—women are becoming more involved in the trades too, like water drivers and tractor operators. It’s not just construction management but work in the field. I think this growth will continue because there’s an increased awareness that women can thrive in construction, along with the necessity for many families to have dual-income households. Construction is one of the largest, fastest-growing industries and it offers plenty of stability and longevity for women who are looking for a reliable career path. I think we’ll continue to see more women in all areas of construction as a result.
What advice would you give to women who are just starting out in construction or thinking of entering the field?
Go for it! You won’t know your potential until you give it a try. If construction doesn’t turn out to be your thing, you can always do something else, but at least you’ll know you tried. My advice is to start slow. Reach out to builders for ride-along opportunities or internships to see if it’s the right fit for you. There are also great industry networks and committees where you can meet others, ask questions, and build connections.
