Post by Frederic Masse

Last week, I was at the Human Resources conference for our group of companies under Soletanche Freyssinet, and something struck me almost immediately: most of the participants here are women. For me, that was a complete shift in perspective. Since I started my career in construction 30 years ago, in my day-to-day work with our operation and jobsites, I’ve been navigating a male-dominated environment without almost even thinking about it. Last week, I was on the other side of that equation: one of the few men in the room. And I have to be honest… it felt…weird. Not bad. Just unfamiliar. Humbling. A little like walking into a room where everyone speaks the same language, but it’s not quite yours. It made me reflect on what it must feel like for the women at Nicholson Construction who step onto jobsites, trailers or operation meetings every day and find themselves in that exact position — not just for a few hours or a couple days, but often throughout their careers. We, male in the construction industry or any other male-dominated business are often oblivious to the challenges our women coworkers face. It’s not really our fault because that’s the only culture we’ve known throughout our career. But the correct response is to become an advocate for a more diverse workplace. Experience like the one I just had, makes us realize It takes grit, confidence, and a whole lot of resilience to stand tall in environments where you're outnumbered..and still lead with strength, skill, and professionalism. That’s a different kind of tough. So here’s a special shout-out to our women in our industry and particularly in the field. You inspire more than you probably realize. You’re paving the way, lifting standards, and proving every day that this industry is stronger when it’s inclusive. And to all the women at Nicholson , in the field, in the office, and everywhere in between, thank you. You make this company better in every way. #WomenInNicholson