March 3, 2025

Building a stronger future: How Skanska empowers women-owned businesses

Fraga

In the construction industry, cultivating a diverse supply chain is not only a matter of equity but also a strategic imperative.

Diverse suppliers infuse unique perspectives, drive innovation and creativity, and strengthen community ties, leading to more resilient and adaptable business operations and improved project outcomes. Partnering with businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups fosters economic growth within communities and has benefited both suppliers and our team at Skanska in myriad ways.

Our commitment to working with women-owned businesses has never been stronger. Two of the programs that have been instrumental in growing our supply chain are our Construction Management Building Blocks (CMBB) program and our new Excellence in Construction Leadership Program (ECLP), which empower women-owned and other diverse businesses to thrive in a competitive market.

EMPOWERING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

Photos courtesy of Skanska USA [enlarge]

Melissa Rossi, middle front, owner of Division 9, participates in a recent Skanska Excellence in Construction Leadership Program in Atlanta.

Launched in 2006, Skanska’s CMBB program is a free 10-week virtual and in-person coaching and educational series designed to equip women-owned, diverse and small businesses, vendors and suppliers with the knowledge and resources needed to succeed in the construction industry. The program covers topics such as bidding, contracts, safety, business development, and project execution, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of working with large general contractors like Skanska.

Here in Seattle, we had 13 graduates of CMBB in 2024, seven of which were women-owned businesses. They represented industries ranging from asphalt paving to electrical, daylighting to decorative concrete, and drywall to construction cleaning. Each one took away their own mix of learnings, from learning new technologies and software to jobsite safety compliance refreshers and more.

One of our recent graduates, Melanie Parrett, vice president and co-owner of Hot Mix Pavers, said, “Anyone who wants to play in the big leagues needs to take this course. What to look for, how to bid, how to bill, how to be more professional while you’re doing it — all of that is covered. CMBB has given us a lot of confidence to pursue larger projects.”

Since its inception, CMBB has made a significant impact. Nationally, more than 800 companies have participated in the program, collectively securing more than $740 million in contracts on Skanska projects since CMBB was created in 2007. This success underscores the program’s effectiveness in preparing women-owned and other diverse businesses to compete and excel when working with Skanska and in the larger construction sector.

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR WOMEN-OWNED VENDORS

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Skanska’s ECLP program brings leadership team members together with executives from diverse local businesses to promote diversity and inclusion within the construction industry supply chain.

Building upon the success of CMBB, Skanska launched the Excellence in Construction Leadership Program (ECLP) last year. This nomination-based, executive-level program brings together Skanska’s leadership team members with executives from diverse local businesses across regions to promote diversity and inclusion within the construction industry supply chain.

Among the 14 participants selected nationwide was Division 9, a woman-owned and Seattle-based business specializing in flooring and interior finishes. For Melissa Rossi, owner of Division 9, participation in the ECLP program marked a significant milestone in her company’s 23-year history. Since taking over the business, Rossi has navigated the challenges of becoming a certified woman-owned business and further expanding Division 9’s capabilities in the healthcare, education, and government sectors.

“When I took the leap to buy out the business, I put everything on the line,” said Rossi. “Skanska’s ECLP program was a game-changer for me as a new leader, providing direct access to Skanska’s leadership team, whose guidance and mentorship gave me actionable tools to shape the future of my business. This support was instrumental in helping me secure certification as a women-owned business in just two months — an achievement I had struggled with for nearly a year prior.”

ECLP is the first of its kind program in the construction industry to focus specifically on nationwide peer-to-peer relationships with trade partners. It is designed to facilitate ongoing access, knowledge-sharing, and mutually beneficial partnerships between Skanska and diverse business executives who are ready to take on larger roles — both on Skanska projects and in the industry at large.

A COMMITMENT TO LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS

Skanska’s approach to supplier diversity extends beyond training programs. The company is committed to building long-term relationships with suppliers, recognizing that their success contributes to the overall strength of the industry. By investing in the growth and development of women-owned and other diverse businesses, Skanska not only enhances its supply chain but also promotes economic inclusion and community development.

Growing a diverse supply chain in the construction industry requires intentional efforts to identify, develop and collaborate with underrepresented businesses. Skanska’s CMBB and ECLP programs exemplify how targeted initiatives can empower women-owned vendors, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to thrive, while also strengthening our projects and contributing to a more inclusive and dynamic construction industry.

Courtney Fraga is supplier diversity manager for Skanska USA Building.

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