Grit, Grace & Glitz with Erika Rothenberger
Join host Erika Rothenberger and her amazing guests as they share valuable learnings from their journeys in business and - life! Erika is a health + wellness biz founder, mom & wife, engineering corporate professional and published author. Her episodes will have you learning how to get gritty, give yourself the grace you deserve and celebrate all the glitz that comes to you along the way!
Grit, Grace & Glitz with Erika Rothenberger
The Grit & Grace To Be A Woman In Construction
In this episode of Grit, Grace, and Glitz, host Erika celebrates Women in Construction Week, sharing her personal journey as a civil engineer in a male-dominated industry. Erika reflects on her 22-year career, starting as a fresh graduate from Villanova University, stepping onto her first job site with uncertainty but determination.
Erika emphasizes the importance of allyship, mentorship, and lifting others in the industry. She highlights the challenges women face in construction, where only 10% of workers are women, and just 4% are in field roles - and she also highlights the support she’s received from male mentors and colleagues.
Using personal protective equipment (PPE) as a metaphor, she breaks down key leadership lessons:
Boots → Grounding oneself in awareness and challenging biases.
Vest → Investing in talent and supporting others.
Safety Glasses → Strengthening teams through clarity and psychological safety.
Hard Hat → Bringing energy and leadership to every space.
Erika’s message is one of empowerment, resilience, and breaking barriers. She encourages listeners—whether in construction or any industry—to “lace up their boots, put on their hard hat, and rise.”
Erika truly believes that with continued efforts, the percentage of women in construction will grow, and diversity in leadership will strengthen industries. The future is bright!