2024-2025 Board of Directors
Shayla Smith
President
With over 20 years’ construction experience, Shayla is a seasoned professional who has worked on many large, complex projects for both government and private companies. Her strong work ethic and attention to detail have helped her to become a rising star in her company.
Most recently she served as the lead accountant on the $1.5 billion LAX Midfield project, and currently heads the special projects division in her role at PCL. Shayla also was a former member of Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). Outside of work, she is an avid reader who enjoys legal thrillers, especially by favorite author, John Grisham.
Senior Project Accountant
PCL Construction
ssmith@pcl.com
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Dawn Lowers-Davis
Vice President
Dawn Davis began her career at a very early age working along side her father, Don Lowers. She started welding at the age of 12 at his company — Lowers Welding. She continued as her dad’s apprentice through high school. She then attended Long Beach City College to earn her degree in 1994 followed by a Managerial Certification in Project Management from Cal Poly Pomona. After graduation she started working full time for the company as a welder and fabricator. Although it was a family business, she started from the ground up. She quickly moved from shop work to Project Management. In 2010 at the passing of her father, Davis took over the company as CEO and President. For the last 12+ years her duties have included overseeing day to day operations, bidding and estimating, project management, and contract negotiations. Lowers Welding is a 100% Woman Owned DBE. Davis is a member of the Beaver Organization, NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction), WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise), and MAMC (National Association Minority Contractors). Davis has helped grow the company from a "Mom and Pop Shop" to one of the leading welding & fabrication companies in Southern California.
President
Lowers Welding & Fabrication INC
ddavis@lowerswelding.com
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Yolanda M. Baber, M.B.S.
Immediate Past President
As the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives | Business Development at JGM, a leading architectural, project controls, and construction management services firm in California, New York, and New Jersey. Yolanda Baber leverages her multiple decades of experience and expertise in the industry to generate over two billion in revenue. She oversees all aspects of business development, client engagement, marketing communications, and strategic intitatives partnerships for the firm, which serves a diverse range of sectors, including transportation, aviation, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and education.
Yolanda is also a transformational leader and a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the industry. She currently serves as the President of SMPS LA, a professional organization that promotes excellence in marketing and business development for the A/E/C industry. She is also the Immediate Past President of NAWIC LA, a national association that supports and empowers women in construction, and ASCE San Bernardino Riverside, a civil engineering society that advances the profession and the community. Additionally, she is a member of the CMAA SoCal DEIB committee, which fosters a culture of DEI in the construction management industry.
Yolanda’s mission is to create positive change and impact through her work and involvement in the industry and the community for women in our industry
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives | Business Development JGM
Nicole Blacklock
Treasurer
Nicole Blacklock is a seasoned Project Accountant for PCL Construction, with a total of 13 years in the accounting industry, specializing in the AEC sector for the past 7 years. Nicole’s extensive experience and meticulous attention to detail have been instrumental in maintaining financial integrity and precision in her projects.
Nicole earned her BA in Psychology and Art History from UC Santa Barbara, allowing her to bring a unique blend of analytical and cultural insight to her role. Her commitment to advocacy for women in the workplace, both on-site and in the office, is evident through her dedicated service and volunteerism with various women’s organizations, including NAWIC. Nicole found in NAWIC a platform that not only allowed her to connect with like-minded professionals but also offered an opportunity to make a significant impact in her field.
Serving as the Treasurer for the NAWIC LA Chapter, Nicole is passionate about ensuring that the contributions and perspectives of women are recognized and valued. She is driven by a desire to create an inclusive environment and is a steadfast advocate for women’s empowerment in the AEC industry.
Nicole is also an active member of PCL's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee, where she continues to be an avid advocate, working diligently to promote diversity and foster an inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
Project Accountant
PCL Construction
Anacani Torres
Secretary
Anacani Torres is the President of Final Cleaning Solutions, Inc. For the past 13 years, she has been building a reputation within the construction industry by providing quality construction clean-up, janitorial, and COVID-19 disinfecting services throughout Southern California.
With the goal of providing a reliable service to the demands of the construction industry as well as job opportunities to impacted communities, Anacani opened Torres Cleaning Company in 2010. By 2011, she incorporated and created Final Cleaning Solutions, Inc., a company that would emphasized on developing relationships with its clients. FCS provides the support needed to deliver projects on a safety and timely manner.
Anacani holds a MA in Education from California State University Dominguez Hills and a BA in Business Administration from Mount Saint Mary’s University.
President
Final Cleaning Solutions
anacani@finalcleansingsolutionsinc.com
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Stephanie Miranda
Safety Director
Stephanie Miranda is a force to be reckoned with. Graduating in 2009 from the University of San Diego with a degree in communications, she went on to cofound Miranda Logistics. Under her leadership as Chief Operating Officer this company has evolved to include specialties in site preparation services like clearing, excavation, haz remediation, shoring and trucking.
In 2020 Stephanie cofounded Grit & Gravel, Inc., a company operating a concrete and asphalt recycling facility in South Los Angeles and provides ancillary services like portable crushing and trucking. Stephanie’s companies have created hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for people in the local communities, and she is always looking for new ways to give back. She is witty, charming and truly caring to the people around her.
President
Grit & Gravel, Inc.
stephanie@gritngravelco.com
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Hilen Rocha
Marketing Director
Hilen Rocha started her own company, R Legacy Construction, a few years ago, with the goal to train young kids and to teach them both life and technical skills. She received her Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering at California State University, Fullerton, making her part of the 13% of females in that field. Now as a GC, she is one of just 9% of the females who work in the industry, of which an even smaller percentage of those are contractors. Hilen considers these statistics to be heartbreaking. She sees first-hand and daily the tough struggles women in these fields face, and feels they arise not from a matter of competence, but rather, the culture.
Her name in the original Hebrew means “fortress” and it’s been her mission to ensure that she lives up to that meaning. Being born in California but raised in Mexico she feels strong ties to her community and more so individuals who start from "zero". In her own words, Hilen says, “For the remainder of the time I am left on Earth and more so when I am gone, I will ensure I leave a legacy: I want people to remember what I did to make a difference. One of my missions is to let young girls and women see themselves represented in these fields, otherwise, how can they aspire to be someone they don’t know they can be?” We welcome Hilen to our board as a new director this year.
Mech Engineer | General Contractor
R Legacy Construction
info@rlegacyca.com
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Connie Brown
Director
Connie Brown has a Bachelor of Science in Management and experience working in DBE and Labor Compliance. In her current role as a DBE Compliance Coordinator for Skanska, Connie ran a successful small business boot camp program, and has worked with the LAWA RUE project team to award over $105 million and counting to small, local, and disabled veteran owned firms. Her passion for promoting diversity and inclusion in the construction industry and her commitment to creating opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses remain driving forces in her professional journey. Outside of work Connie considers herself a “professional tourist” and enjoys traveling, writing, and helping people live their best lives.
Project DBE Compliance Coordinator
Skanska USA Civil
Simone Date
Director
Simone Date has many years of construction experience as a Project Manager. She graduated Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX with a pre-law degree in three years. Simone decided to change paths to construction after graduating. She has managed a wide range of projects including large warehouses with rooftop parking, museums, high rise residential, senior’s care facilities, shop/offices, barns, parking structures, and manufacturing facilities.
Her hard work ethic and being intentional with mentoring and growing others around her have led her to become known within PCL’s California building district. In her free time, you can find her on the golf course.
Project Manager
PCL Construction
Mackenzie Dias
Director
Mackenzie Dias is a fervent advocate for people-centric construction and integrating diverse perspectives. After receiving her architecture degree from California Polytechnic University of San Luis Obispo she embarked on a career in construction management.
Her experience includes luxury high-rise residential, tilt-up construction and is currently branching into the education sector as a Project Manager with Precision Construction Services. Mackenzie’s journey exemplifies her thirst for learning that has been the cornerstone of her personal development and trajectory of her career.
Passionate about engaging with others in the construction sphere, she embraces platforms like NAWIC to forge connections and foster dialogue on the industry’s potential and development. She hopes to motivate more women to begin careers in construction and provide a mentorship to propel them forward into their career.
Assistant Project Manager, LEED AP
Precision Construction Services
Stephani Valdez
Director
Stephani Valdez is a Key Account Manager at United Rentals. Over the past 6 years, she has held several sales positions within the organization building relationships with clients throughout Southern California. Stephani studied Business Management at California State University of San Bernardino and started her career in sales at a heavy construction equipment auction. Utilizing the knowledge of construction equipment she gained from the auction, Stephani is able to think outside the box and offer solutions to her clients within the construction and mining industries. Naturally inquisitive, Stephani is dedicated to understanding her clients business and anticipating possible needs. She is also committed to serving her community and advancing the roles of women within her organization and the construction industry.
Key Account Manager -Relationship Builder
United Rentals
Blanca Oseguera
Director
Hello, I'm Blanca Oseguera, with 13 years of experience in the lighting industry. My journey in the lighting industry began at a lighting manufacturer, where I immersed myself in the intricacies of the industry. I'm the type of person that is not afraid to start from the ground up, learning, sharpening my skills and seizing every opportunity for growth and advancement. Through hard work and determination, I advance to Regional Sales Manager overseeing sales operations across the states.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at the lighting manufacturer was the chance to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including contractors, distributors, and specifiers. I leveraged this opportunity to not only enhance my sales and management skills but also to build lasting relationships within the industry.
I enjoy attending training sessions, networking events, and collaborative projects it became instrumental in my professional development. These experiences not only broadened my understanding of the market but also solidified my reputation as a reliable and knowledgeable professional in the lighting sector.
Transitioning to a distribution sector for my current Category Management role in 2022, marked a significant milestone in my career journey. I found a supportive and inclusive work environment that fosters growth and encourages innovation. As a dedicated professional, devoted wife and mother of a 3 year old boy, the company's commitment to employee well-being and flexibility has allowed me to navigate my dual roles.
Category Manager ‑ Lighting
OneSource Distributors | A Sonepar Company
Diana Silva
Block Kids Director
Diana Silva is the Vice President of Operations at FreightTrain, a company transforming construction quality management with its innovative software. With over 20 years in construction management and software implementation, Diana’s career evolved from office manager to VP of Operations. She has played a crucial role in establishing FreightTrain, managing team development, and ensuring successful product use. As a director at NAWIC, Diana leads the Block Kids program, inspiring future builders.
VP of Operations | FreightTrain
Linda Valencia
Director
I have 20 years of experience in facilities and construction. Recently I have graduated from University of Southern California (USC) with a Master of Science in project management. I have worked in the education sector all my career with emphasis on maintenance & operations, renovation, and construction projects.
After a long career at a community college, I decided to transition to a private firm JACOBS. I became part of the Jacobs Build-LACCD team. Being part of the QA/QC team has been a great experience for me. To be able to support the various teams at the colleges with my expertise and knowledge gives me happiness.
As an active of NAWIC charter #42 I have attended and supported in various ways. It is important for me to support and pave the way for other women that come after me. As a women I have been blessed with having awesome people to support me. In return I want to continue to live the vision of NAWIC to empower women in the construction industry.
As a Jacobs employee I joined the ENLACE they focus on the Latino community embracing diversity and leveraging our experiences together. As an ENLACE member I am a now part of the ENLACE committee leading the Talent Acquisition Engagement. To be able to serve our community is important to me as we continue to be the leaders of change and embrace our differences.
Construction was not always my dream job, but today is my passion. Through the years I have been part of the various projects from small renovations to large construction. These experiences have nourished my desire for construction. As a women, I continue to work on diversity, equity and inclusion in the construction industry for all women.
Project Engineer at Jacobs- BUILD-LACCD