GBA’s Geoprofessional Women’s Group: A Space to Connect and Grow

Women across the geoprofessional industry are building careers, leading teams and firms, and shaping the future of our profession—and they shouldn’t have to do it in isolation. That’s the idea behind GBA’s Geoprofessional Women’s Group (GWG): a dedicated space designed to bring women together across firms, disciplines, and career stages to connect, learn, and support one another.

 

At its core, GWG is built around five key objectives that translate into practical, firm-relevant benefits:

• Collaboration
• Learning
• Networking
• Support
• Empowerment

Enhanced professional growth, increased visibility for women’s achievements, a stronger community, and the power of diverse perspectives will elevate geoprofessional value on a global scale.

The GWG is guided by a steering committee of engaged women leaders across GBA member firms, including:
• Liz Brown, P.E. (JLT Consultants)
• Shana Carroll, P.E., LEED BD+C (D.W. Kozera)
• Catherine Ellis, P.E., G.E. (Shannon & Wilson)
• Cassandra Langley (GBA)
• Keri Nutter, C.P.G. (DOWL)
• Laura Register, P.E., F.GBA (Terracon)
• Carrie Rodriguez, P.E., G.E. (BSK Associates)

Goals and Deliverables to Benefit Member Firms

The group has begun outlining topics and discussion tracks that will help leaders and managers better understand the realities women may face in the workplace and in field environments, including:

• How employers can support women through family leave and return-to-work transitions
• Work/life balance while parenting
• Normalizing women’s job-site needs
• Inclusive, respectful communication

Planned content ideas include:

• An employer retention playbook with guidance for supporting and retaining women in geoprofessional businesses.
• Guidelines for employers on what women are seeking from their workplaces, especially in scenarios where women may be the only woman in the office or on a job site.
• Speakers and learning sessions to address women-in-leadership and women-in-business themes.

How to Join

As the group continues to grow, members meet the first Wednesday of each month to surface real experiences, identify common challenges, and translate those insights into ideas that can help both individuals and their firms.

If you are interested in joining GWG, attending an upcoming meeting, or learning more about how the group can support women in your firm, you’re encouraged to reach out and request information or an invitation. Contact Carrie Rodriguez: crodriguez@bskassociates.com.

And stay tuned for an upcoming special episode of the GBA Podcast, where GWG members share why the group formed, what they hope to gain, and why this kind of community matters.

The First In-Person GWG Meetup

Women attending the 2026 GBA Annual Conference in Phoenix are invited to a GWG meetup during the event on Thursday, April 23. If you’re not yet registered for the conference, you can still sign up to participate HERE.