March is definitely a month to celebrate our Allen women with International Women’s Day on March 8, and Women in Construction Week, March 7-13. At Allen, we are proud that our team is 21% women, which is way above the average in the industry. We have women in key leadership roles in the company with 40% of our management team made of up women. We also have women represented in all areas of the company from production to the executive team. We wanted to take a moment to honor the wonderful women of Allen Construction who contribute so much to the organization, our partners, and our clients.
Jenny Cushnie - Founder / Board of Directors
38 years in Construction
Hobbies: Listening to NPR, observing the habits of our garden birds, and being an audience for our 9 year old granddaughter's nascent "rock star" singing and dancing performances in her living room!
“As the first woman in Allen, I feel so proud to see how we have flourished in the Company! Over the years, women were always encouraged, especially in the field, but it was Lynn Hurley that made that goal a reality.”
Lindsay at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro
Lindsay Helmick - CFO
7 years in Construction
Hobbies: Hiking and reading. Big Patriots and Star Wars fan.
“I am proud that in an industry that is predominantly male, Allen Construction has many women leaders in departments across the company from production to accounting to management. We have a diverse and inclusive group of employee owners.”
Vicki Godlewski – Accounts Payable
22 years in Construction
Hobbies: Dogs, listening to all types of music, long walks, exploring new locations, visiting art galleries
“Women have always been an integral part of Allen Construction, going back to Day One when Jenny Cushnie (Dennis Allen’s wife) ran the office. She was lovingly referred to as “the big boss” by everyone, including Dennis! I feel blessed to be part of this team.”
Vicki and Snoopy at the beach in Cayucos
Jennifer at Lake Sabrina
Jennifer Strachan - Project Accountant
18 years in Construction
Hobbies: Stand Up Paddling, skiing, hiking, camping and reading
“Allen is a breath of fresh air for women in construction. We are all integral and important to the Allen family.”
Nancy Yu - Business Operations Administrator
3 years in Construction
Hobbies: Hiking, baking and skating
“Allen is a wonderful place to work, and I appreciate all of the opportunities.”
Nancy and her friends in the Eastern Sierras.
Anwanur Gielow - Director, People and Culture
5 years in Construction
Hobbies: I am a vintage enthusiast who loves old cars, roller skating, cooking, reading (a lot), traveling and spending lots of time with family and friends
“I love working in construction because it is an industry that values hard work and quality craftmanship.”
Karen Feeney - Business Development
16 years in Construction
Hobbies: Hiking, biking, stand-up paddling, golfing, reading, and enjoying friends & family
“There are so many ways that a woman can be involved in the construction industry these days, and not just in traditional roles. Here at Allen Construction, we have women in Accounting and Finance, including a woman CFO. Our HR Director is a woman, as is our Marketing Director; Business Development Manager, and Office Manager. And we have women out on our project sites, as Project Engineers and Project Managers. And that’s just here at our company.”
Karen with her Women in Construction Award
Wendy, Daisy, and Liberty at the lake.
Wendy Guerrero - Executive Assistant
4 years in Construction
Hobbies: Water sports, photography, exploring and experiencing new places, food and wine, and spending quality time with family and friends.
“It’s inspiring how quickly and wholehearted our team comes together during a crisis, whether it be in response to a natural disaster or pandemic, to help our community rebuild their dreams.”
Colleen Davis-Heining - Office Administrator
13 years in Construction
Hobbies: Yoga, hiking, meditating, watching college and NFL football, being with horses and dogs.
“I love working for a company whose values mirror my own - humble, confident, always learning, accountable and relationships first. For me to have a purposeful life, honoring my values at work is very important. I am also proud that we are community driven and are willing to help during difficult times.”
Colleen happened to run into another Allen Gal, Mary Rischar, at Disneyland Paris (pre-COVID.)
Barb in the office
Barb Merriett - Project Administrator
8 years in Construction
Hobbies: Travel, golf, tennis, walking, reading
“A favorite memory of mine is of Ian [Cronshaw] after the mudslide. Caring so much about the loss and grief people were experiencing, he spent all his time and energy for months helping them dig out of the mud. It wasn’t all about business, it was about compassion for the community. Building with heart.”
Sharon James - Director of Marketing
2.5 years in Construction
Hobbies: Wine tasting, spending time with family and friends, live music (not lately ☹)
“I feel so fortunate to be working alongside very smart, hard working, and dedicated women at Allen Construction. It’s great to see women represented and making a difference at all levels and departments in the company.”
Sharon wine tasting with friends in Los Olivos
Alexx with her family at Disneyland right before COVID changed the world.
Alexx Robathan - Project Engineer
In Construction since high school
Hobbies: Crafting, sewing, woodworking, outdoor activities (hiking, swimming, camping, etc.), sports (basketball & golf mostly), working/customizing my vehicles, running, travel
“In a world that tries to squeeze you into glass slippers, rock the steel toe boots.”
Dina Meisel - Payroll/Benefits Administrator
26 years in Construction
Hobbies: Travel, snow skiing, camping (in our 5th wheel), hiking, playing sudoku, and being with family and friends
“The changes I have seen over 26 years has been incredible. When I first began, women in construction were few and far between. Joining Allen where 21% of us are women, is empowering. I’ve never worked with so many diverse women who are all striving for the same goal for our clients and our team.”
Dina at Vernal Falls in Yosemite
Erica and Kora at Hendry’s
Erica Zurawski - Project Accountant Supervisor
6.5 years in Construction
Hobbies: Traveling, woofies, crossword puzzles, all kinds of games
“I am lucky to work with women who possess a diverse range of knowledge and skills – all from whom I learn and find inspiration to be better at my job.”
Mary Rischar - Project Accountant
15 years in Construction
Hobbies: Traveling and exploring new places, hiking, sailing, reading and hanging out with family - especially the grandkids
“Working at Allen Construction has been the best work experience in my life. The camaraderie, creativity, continuous evolution, and professionalism exceeded my expectations of an ideal workplace.”
Mary with Colleen at Disneyland Paris. “What a lucky coincidence that our vacations overlapped at the same location in Europe (pre-pandemic).”
Anna Lehr-Unden - Project Manager
5.5 years at Allen
Anna does a great job of juggling her work and her most important job as a Mom of her new baby and young daughter. When those two roles overlap, the boss baby comes to the jobsite!
Anna and Baby Soren on the job site.