Statistics continue to show that women are underrepresented in leadership positions across the design, engineering, and construction fields. Since diversity is profitable, more industries are working hard to appeal to women, and more women are graduating with degrees in non-traditional careers every year. Yet the proportion of women in nearly all levels of corporate America hardly changes, especially in industries that are traditionally considered “male jobs.”

Myra is an impassioned women’s empowerment advocate that uses her background in Anthropology and Economics research to bring attention to minority experiences in the construction industry. A proud Native New Mexican, Myra is Project Manager with SDV Construction in Albuquerque and is currently writing a book as well as speaking about her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated field. She is documenting her personal and professional journey in the hopes that women can relate and find support through self-esteem and mental health issues, and thrive in industries like construction.

Marissa feels passionate about the need to normalize the conversation around mental health struggles, having had her own personal experiences with this issue, particularly depression and anxiety. She believes strongly that nothing is more important than a society that can have open, honest conversations on a range of difficult topics, supporting both men and women in all types of challenges and allowing all to find their space in the working world. Myra is an impassioned women’s empowerment advocate that uses her background in Anthropology and Economics research to bring attention to minority experiences in the construction industry. A proud Native New Mexican, Myra is Project Manager with SDV Construction in Albuquerque and is currently writing a book as well as speaking about her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated field. She is documenting her personal and professional journey in the hopes that women can relate and find support through self-esteem and mental health issues, and thrive in industries like construction

Marissa feels passionate about the need to normalize the conversation around mental health struggles, having had her own personal experiences with this issue, particularly depression and anxiety. She believes strongly that nothing is more important than a society that can have open, honest conversations on a range of difficult topics, supporting both men and women in all types of challenges and allowing all to find their space in the working world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx