March 1 through 7 is Women in Construction Week, a week dedicated to celebrating the impact that women have made in the construction industry. To mark this week, here are profiles of two women with Leopardo Construction – which has Midwest offices in Chicago and Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and Cleveland — who have built their own successful careers in the construction industry.
We asked these women about what led them to a career in construction, what steps they’ve taken to succeed and the advice they’d share with other women interested in this field.
Here is what they had to say.
Victoria Torres
Senior Project Manager
Leopardo
(Photo courtesy of Leopardo.)
What first sparked your interest in construction, and what keeps you passionate about the work today?
Victoria Torres: I studied architecture in college, but during my final year I interned at a construction company and quickly fell in love with the fast-paced, hands-on environment. Watching the design come to life is very rewarding, so I never looked back and stayed in construction. Today, what keeps me passionate is that every project, client, and challenge is different. I enjoy building a multitude of relationships while turning a lot of great designs into reality.
Which project or accomplishment has been most meaningful in your career so far, and why?
Torres: Over the past decade, I’ve delivered a wide range of commercial interior projects through the Chicago land area, many for Fortune 500 companies. Earning repeat business from these clients has been especially meaningful, it reflects trust in both my team and the work we deliver, and it’s the highest reward.
What is a challenge you’ve faced in the field that helped shape your leadership or perspective?
Torres: Because I specialize in commercial interiors, I occasionally encounter scopes outside my core expertise. Instead of shying away, I treat those moments as learning opportunities and lean on the knowledge of my peers. It’s taught me to embrace the unknown, approach every challenge with confidence, and believe that if you put your mind into it, everything is possible.
How do you approach collaboration and problem‑solving on a project team?
Torres: With an open mind and making sure every voice is heard. Strong teams are built on respect and diverse perspectives, and often there’s more than one right way to solve a problem.
What advice would you share with women considering a career in construction or the trades?
Torres: Construction is an incredibly rewarding field. If you enjoy staying active, building relationships, continuous learning, and challenging yourself, it offers limitless growth and opportunity.
Kamylle Ramos
Project Manager
Leopardo
(Photo courtesy of Leopardo.)
What first sparked your interest in construction, and what keeps you passionate about the work today?
Kamylle Ramos: Growing up in the Philippines, our house stayed standing through most of the typhoons, but they almost always left some kind of damage. A lot of the time, we’d end up with holes in the roof that caused water to leak inside. Going through that as a kid made me want something different. I wanted to build a home for my family that was strong enough to handle typhoons and other disasters, a place where they would feel safe.
I’ve been interested in construction since high school, and that interest just kept growing. It made sense to me that what I learn and do for work is something I can apply to real life every day. I also knew it would be a field where you’re constantly learning, and that’s something that keeps me motivated. What started as a small dream to improve our own home has grown into wanting to provide better housing for my future family and for people who need safe, reliable places to live.
Which project or accomplishment has been most meaningful in your career so far, and why?
Ramos: The Sonder Hotel project has been the most meaningful in my career so far because I was involved from preconstruction all the way through construction and closeout. It came with a lot of challenges, but our team worked through them together and kept the project moving forward. Though I faced setbacks at times, they ultimately became valuable learning experiences that strengthened me. Being part of every phase, overcoming obstacles as a team, and growing through those lessons made it incredibly rewarding and helped shape me into the project manager I want to be.
What is a challenge you’ve faced in the field that helped shape your leadership or perspective?
Ramos: One experience that strengthened my leadership was learning to address challenges openly and take full ownership of outcomes. Those moments taught me the importance of transparency, accountability, and problem-solving as a team rather than assigning blame. That perspective has helped me build trust and lead with a focus on continuous improvement.
How do you approach collaboration and problem‑solving on a project team?
Ramos: I believe strong collaboration comes from clear communication and trust. I try to create an environment where the team can speak openly, address issues early, and work through challenges together. When problems arise, I focus on practical solutions, following through, and keeping everyone aligned so we can keep the project moving without unnecessary stress or confusion.
What advice would you share with women considering a career in construction or the trades?
Ramos: Don’t be intimidated by the industry or feel like you need to have all the answers right away because this is where growth happens. Be open to learning, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to speak up. Construction can be challenging, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see the real impact of your work.
