Welcoming Doreen Bartoldus: A Trailblazer Joins Ambition Theory

Jun 28, 2024 | Article

We first got to know Doreen Bartoldus through her passion for helping women in construction. But it wasn’t until we worked together on launching the NAWIC Leadership Academy that we truly understood her dedication to the cause.

Doreen had this incredible vision for a leadership program designed just for women in the construction industry. 

And she made it happen. 

And we’re big “make it happen” people, so we knew our journey with Doreen wasn’t over. While we didn’t know how just yet, we knew we’d work together again. We followed along excitedly as Doreen wrapped up her time as the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) president and started stepping into a new phase on her professional path.

A Journey of Leadership and Passion

After an amazing 45-year career that included managing major water and wastewater projects, leading diverse teams, and teaching at Stevens Institute of Technology, Doreen decided it was time to focus on herself for a bit. She went “on tour,” a period she described as a chance to reassess her priorities and find new ways to make an impact in the industry she loves.

“My tour is about focusing on my priorities for this great industry: equity, sustainability, leadership, and construction management. I want to continue contributing to these areas in meaningful ways,” she explained.

Doreen’s tour wasn’t about stepping back but stepping forward with a renewed sense of purpose. She focused on equity, sustainability, leadership, and construction management—values that have always been close to her heart. Her ongoing involvement with NAWIC and the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) showed just how committed she was.

A Legacy of Mentorship, Sponsorship and Innovation

Doreen’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary. She started out working for construction contractors and engineering firms, steadily climbing the ranks to hold executive leadership roles. Along the way, she saw the need to mentor and sponsor others, especially women, to help them succeed as she had. This passion led her to become deeply involved with NAWIC and CMAA, earning her Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential and serving on local boards. She also taught Project Controls to CM Masters students, building connections that lasted long after the courses ended.

For the past 25 years, she’s focused on developing and leading successful construction management teams, delivering projects ranging from $1 million to $1.4 billion. Each project had its own challenges and opportunities, and Doreen was a master at guiding her teams and stakeholders to overcome obstacles and achieve positive outcomes.

Looking Ahead: A Future of Inclusion

Doreen’s journey to leadership wasn’t easy. She navigated the male-dominated construction industry with determination, learning the hard knocks of leadership along the way. This experience sparked a lifelong passion for promoting gender diversity and inclusion in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sectors. Joining Ambition Theory was a natural fit, perfectly aligning with her mission to empower women and provide them with the leadership tools she once sought for herself.

Reflecting on her career, Doreen said, “I have led a successful and rewarding 45-year career in the construction community and am now transitioning to a new phase where I can focus my efforts on specific personal goals where I can be the most impactful.”

Doreen is optimistic about the potential for women in the AEC sectors. She believes that government policies and industry initiatives are creating new opportunities, and that increasing the number of women in leadership roles will drive further change and inspire the next generation of women leaders.

We love imagining a future where women in leadership roles will be the norm rather than the exception together with Doreen!

As the new Account Director at Ambition Theory, Doreen is ready to use her extensive experience and business development skills to support our mission. She believes that construction firms striving to become more inclusive are on the right path and that the right supportive programs will only help them continue to push the needle. By creating environments where women feel included and empowered, companies can boost productivity and achieve greater success.

Doreen Bartoldus is a trailblazer in the construction industry, and we are honored to have her on our team. Welcome, Doreen!

Listen to Doreen’s Story

For more insights into Doreen’s journey and her vision for the future, check out our podcast episode, Creating a Legacy for Women in Construction with Doreen Bartoldus. In this episode, Doreen shares how she navigated an industry that wasn’t initially made for women, discusses the progress made since she started, and explores essential tools to help women advance to leadership positions.

Connect with Doreen on LinkedIn, visit her website, or send her an email and say hi!

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