The builders of some of New South Wales’ most defining projects — from regional roads to Sydney’s high-rise towers — took centre stage as the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) NSW Chapter celebrated the 2025 NAWIC NSW Awards for Excellence.
Hosted at the ICC Ballroom in Sydney, the sold-out event drew more than 1,100 industry professionals to recognise leadership, innovation, and inclusion across 13 award categories.
The celebration highlighted an industry increasingly defined by collaboration and diversity amid major challenges such as labour shortages, cost pressures, and the imperative to decarbonise.
“These awards don’t just recognise achievement – they accelerate change,” said NAWIC NSW Co‑President Atika Anwar.
“Our industry faces a multitude of challenges, including skills shortages, cost pressures, the race to decarbonise.
“This year’s award winners show how diverse thinking delivers better outcomes and why a diverse industry is more productive, profitable and resilient.”
Her fellow Co‑President, Taleah Stofka, said the stories behind each winner demonstrated both the industry’s progress and its potential.
“NAWIC’s purpose is to build fair, inclusive and respectful workplaces – and this is achieved when people work together.
“Women make up about 13 per cent of the construction workforce in NSW, so there’s still plenty to do. But from site engineers to senior executives, this year’s winners prove that inclusion drives innovation and high performance.
“When leadership looks like all of us, the whole industry benefits.”
The NAWIC NSW Awards not only celebrate success but underscore the impact of programs that support women at every stage of their careers.
Through mentoring, scholarships, advocacy, and research, NAWIC is helping reshape a sector long dominated by traditional structures.
Among this year’s honourees:
- Lendlease Crystal Vision Award: Tracey Medley (Gamuda) was recognised for integrating mentorship, mental health awareness, and cultural change across major infrastructure projects. She has trained 85 per cent of her workforce in mental health awareness.
- Richard Crookes Business Woman of the Year: Samantha Kuiper (Richard Crookes Construction) transformed design management, growing a team that is now 42 per cent female and has delivered $15 million in measurable innovation-driven savings.
- Scentre Group Award for Team Innovation: ACCIONA’s all‑female Mechanical & Engineering Works Planning Team revolutionised project delivery on the Western Harbour Tunnel by integrating multiple planning systems into a single real-time dashboard.
- CPB Contractors Award for Contribution to Sustainability: Ari Soemardi (Hunter Boorn) was honoured for leading the Namabunda Social and Transitional Housing Project, creating sustainable, community-led housing for Aboriginal Elders and women and children escaping violence.
- ADCO Champion of Change: Luke Gerathy (Richard Crookes Constructions) boosted female representation in his Hunter New England team from two to 20, driven by mentoring, flexibility, and scholarships for women.
- Symal Regional Woman of the Year: Natalie Kozlov (Ferrovial) oversaw legal delivery on the $1.4 billion Coffs Harbour Bypass, closing 350 subcontracts with minimal disputes while fostering regional employment and capability.
As Australia confronts a housing supply crunch and sustainability imperatives, NAWIC’s role in promoting inclusive leadership continues to grow.