By Kristen Troxell Marketing Manager at Benchmark Construction     

A feature piece from our Fall 2025 issue of the Lancaster Thriving Publication

In 2021, Benchmark’s Project Estimator, Tamara Altom, had an idea for an employee resource group designed to foster talent and empower women within the organization. That year, Women Empowered (W.E. for short) was born. Guided by Benchmark’s core values of Balance, Integrity, Leadership, and Loyalty, W.E. adopted core pillars that drive every decision the group makes. W.E. GROW focuses on personal and professional growth, W.E. GIVE focuses on charitable giving (specifically to women and in the construction industry), W.E. BUILD focuses on expanding construction knowledge and experience, and W.E. CONNECT focuses on building connections both internally and externally.

“I envisioned a program where all the women at Benchmark could gain agency and be involved. Every woman here, regardless of their role, is a woman in construction. I wanted a structure that allowed for the input and creativity of every woman who wanted to contribute, and I wanted it to be organic and come from inside our organization; to be truly Benchmark focused,” said Altom.

At the forefront, the W.E. events and offerings throughout the year support over 25 females in fostering personal and professional growth, building connections, giving charitably, and expanding their construction expertise.

Over the last year, W.E. has continued to support the women of Benchmark and the greater community. W.E. has supported women’s events like the Lancaster Chamber’s 2025 Professional Women’s Forum and is the annual sponsor of the Lancaster Chamber’s Athena Award, honoring a woman in business. Each year, W.E. hosts the Athena Award Recipient for a Fireside Chat, and this year, the group hosted the 2024 recipient, Michelle Rondinelli of Kitchen Kettle Village, for a professional and deeply personal discussion on leadership. And to piggyback on our W.E. Give pillar, we donated to her non-profit organization, MOM Pretzels. Michelle shared words of wisdom on life, leaning in, and being a woman in business. In early 2025, they hosted a women-only golf clinic, empowering ladies at Benchmark, clients, and industry partners to feel comfortable on the course, because women deserve a seat at every table. Led by a local female golf pro, the group met for months and culminated with an all-women’s outing.

Always focused on women in the community, W.E. supports UPMC’s Mobile Women’s Unit, offering medical care and essential services to women who experience barriers to access, and Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build, where women take over Habitat’s project sites for two weeks every fall. As the title sponsor of ABC Keystone’s All ‘Bout Girls Construction Camp, W.E. engaged young girls to explore the industry through a week of hands-on activities, job site tours, and speakers. Partnering with organizations like the National Association of Women in Construction’s South-Central PA Chapter and Women in Healthcare (WIH), W.E. connects women to essential and exclusive job site tours, revealing the complexities of our projects.

Our Maryland team actively participates in growth opportunities through networking events and leadership development offerings. They are active in the WIH-Maryland chapter, where Anissa Beatty, Market Coordinator, serves as Secretary. It annually gives back to the local community through NAWIC Baltimore’s Camp NAWIC, where we teach young ladies how to design and build their own memory boxes.

Significant personal and professional growth has resulted by supporting the women at Benchmark to engage in external event offerings. Whether through the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Professional Women in Construction (PWC), Women in Healthcare (WIH), the Northern Lancaster Chamber, the PA Chamber, or other outside groups, W.E. members have participated in over 45 external training or networking events in the local community over the last year.

The women of Benchmark and the W.E. initiative have received outstanding support from Benchmark’s Executive Leadership Team, including President/CEO Bobby Brandt III. It further strengthens Benchmark’s dedication to leadership, developing its people, and reshaping the narrative for women in the industry.

Co-chaired by Angela Hendrix, Director of Training & Development, and Kristen Troxell, Marketing Manager, will look to provide our women the opportunities to grow through leadership development and educational opportunities, and to connect internally with co-workers and externally with centers of influence, clients, architects, engineers, and others who continue to impact the community in which we live and work in.

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