I grew up in this industry, wearing a hard hat before kindergarten and walking job sites before I could drive. Construction was more than just the family business; it was our dinner table conversation, our weekend plans, and the foundation of how I learned to lead.
From the very beginning, I had a front-row seat to what strong leadership looked like, not just from my dad, who founded Power Design, but from my mom, who helped build the company right alongside him. She was a force, confident, compassionate, and completely unafraid to be the only woman in the room. Her example taught me early on that there’s strength in standing out, and even more power in paving the way for others.
As Chief Growth Officer at Power Design, I carry that example with me every day. We’ve built something special here, a people-first culture that recognizes talent, creates opportunity, and intentionally makes space for women to grow and lead.
It’s no secret that our industry is facing a labor shortage. In 2025 alone, we’re projected to need over 439,000 additional workers to keep up with demand. We can’t solve that with only half the population. Women make up 57% of the U.S. workforce but less than 10% of construction. That’s not just a missed opportunity—it’s a call to action.
At Power Design, we’ve answered that call. We’re proud to be 53% women-owned, with a leadership team that’s 63% female. This isn’t about checking a box. It’s about building a company where women thrive, where they’re supported, elevated, and seen.
So how do we do that?
We invest in mentorship with a year-long program that creates meaningful connections and space for real conversations around growth, confidence, and career development.
We show up in the community, partnering with schools, speaking on panels, and creating visibility during Women in Construction Week and beyond, so young women know there’s a place for them here.
We back up our values with action, as one of the first seven companies in the country to sign the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Million Women in Construction Pledge. We also support initiatives like the ULI Women’s Leadership Initiative and intentionally partner with women-owned businesses across our supply chain.
We lead from within through our Women’s Leadership Committee, a passionate, powerhouse group of women from across Power Design working to recruit, grow, and retain female talent across every level of the company.
That committee has helped us establish guiding principles for how we support and elevate women—not just in our industry, but in any space where women lead:
Own your expertise.
Build a 360º culture of mentorship.
Encourage honest, uncomfortable conversations that move culture forward.
Take the opportunity that stretches you.
Speak up—for yourself and others.
Follow through and hold yourself accountable.
Create a path for those coming next.
Lead with empathy and authenticity, because your story is your strength.
This is how we build more than just careers. This is how we build a future where women see themselves in construction, not as the exception, but as the expectation.
And for me, this isn’t just professional, it’s personal. I think back often to my mom, sitting at our kitchen table, reviewing blueprints while managing a household and a growing company with grit and grace. She didn’t just help build Power Design, she helped shape what it means to be a woman in construction.
Now, I have the opportunity to continue what she started. To make sure that the next generation of women doesn’t just walk onto job sites, they lead them. And that they do so in a world where they no longer have to be the only one in the room.
We’re not just breaking ground—we’re raising the bar. And we’re doing it together.
Lauren Permuy serves as chief growth officer for Power Design and uses her extensive expertise and experience to play a crucial role in driving the company’s strategic growth. Lauren’s responsibilities include cultivating and nurturing Power Design’s relationships, expanding partnerships into new markets, and elevating the company’s brand. She is also dedicated to continuously enhancing the customer experience, ensuring that Power Design delivers exceptional service and value to its clients.
Being a member of the Executive Steering Committee, Permuy actively contributes to the strategic decision-making and overall direction of the company. In addition, she is actively involved in industry organizations such as the Urban Land Institute Multi-Family Development Council and the National ACE Mentor Advisory Council, where she contributes her expertise and insights to further promote excellence and innovation in the industry.
B.S. in Construction Management | Certified General Contractor
