Build With Pride Seattle - 2025 Year in Review
As we look back on this past year, we want to start by thanking our sponsors, partners, and community members who helped make this work possible. Your support has strengthened connection, visibility, and opportunity across Washington's AEC community, and we're proud of how far Build With Pride Seattle has come.
Learn About Our Scholarship
Announcing Our First Built With Pride Scholarship Recipient
We were proud to introduce Riley as the 2025 Built With Pride Scholarship recipient. Their story embodies why this scholarship was created and the importance of expanding access to the trades for LGBTQIA+ individuals across Washington.
When asked what receiving this scholarship means, Riley shared: "Not everyone is as lucky or has the resources to pursue their dreams and aspirations. I feel like this scholarship will help me realize my true potential and not give up."
Riley's determination reflects the power of opportunity and the impact that collective support can have on someone's career journey. As we celebrate our first scholarship award, we remain committed to growing this program and uplifting more students in the years ahead.
Riley graduated from ANEW this December 2025! Congratulations again to you Riley! We are so proud!
Event Recap: BuildOUT California – Founders Day 2025
May 29th
BWPS co-founders Kabri Lehrman-Schmid and Courtney Wise attended BuildOUT California's Founders Day Global LA 2025, a gathering that brought together LGBTQIA+ and allied business owners, industry professionals, tradespeople, public agencies, and stakeholders from around the world. The event highlighted innovation, leadership, and representation across the AEC industry.
Golden Pitches
18 LGBTQ+-owned firms delivered five-minute presentations showcasing their work and vision for the future
High-Speed Rail Panel
Examined the future of intercity rail travel in the United States and its impact on infrastructure and sustainability
Gala Dinner & Awards
Recognizing leaders and changemakers who continue to advance equity and innovation across the built environment
BWPS extends sincere thanks to Paul Pendergast and the BuildOUT California / BuildIT team for the invitation and for creating a platform where LGBTQIA+ professionals can connect, share their work, and strengthen visibility on a global stage. It was an honor to attend and represent Build With Pride Seattle.
Event Recap: LOUDER Together June 2025
June 26th
200+
Attendees
LGBTQIA+ and allied professionals came together
95+
Companies
Represented across the AEC industry
100%
Funded
Built With Pride Scholarship fully funded
Thank you to everyone who attended our LOUDER Together event. With more than 200 attendees representing over 95 companies, the gathering brought LGBTQIA+ and allied professionals together to connect, meet new peers, and strengthen our community network.
One of the key moments of the evening was the announcement that we successfully raised the full funding needed to launch the Built With Pride Scholarship. Developed in partnership with ANEW and GSBA, the scholarship will support LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies pursuing careers in the trades. This milestone reflects the collective support of our sponsors, partners, and community members who contributed throughout the year.
We appreciate everyone who participated, whether through sponsorship, outreach, or attending the event. Your involvement helps expand visibility and create meaningful opportunities within our industry.
Event Recap: BWPS First-Ever Quarterly Meetup
Wed Nov 5th
30 Attendees
From across the LGBTQIA+ and allied AEC community
Connection
Space for people to connect and share experiences
Belonging
Strengthening visibility within our industry
Build With Pride Seattle hosted our first quarterly meetup, and we were thrilled to welcome 30 attendees from across the LGBTQIA+ and allied AEC community. This gathering created space for people to connect, share experiences, and support one another while strengthening visibility and belonging within our industry.
We extend our thanks to Rough & Tumble for hosting and for modeling what inclusive community spaces can look like. Their partnership helped set the tone for a warm, welcoming, and energizing evening.
We're excited to continue these quarterly meetups and look forward to bringing even more people together. Stay tuned for details on the next event, and be sure to join our mailing list to stay connected with future opportunities and updates.
We're looking forward to 2026 and more meetups!
Event Recap: NAWIC Puget Sound – Pride Skate
March 3
BWPS joined the National Association of Women in Construction's Puget Sound Chapter for their Pride Skate event at Southgate Roller Rink in celebration of Women in Construction Week. The gathering brought together industry professionals to celebrate community, support women and LGBTQIA+ individuals in the trades, and enjoy a fun and welcoming evening together.
Thank you to NAWIC Puget Sound for hosting this energizing kickoff to Women in Construction Week.
Event Recap: CMAA Pacific Northwest Conference
April 18th
BWPS co-founders Kabri Lehrman-Schmid, Eliot Hills, Derica Escamilla, and Adam L. Johnson joined a panel discussion last week at the CMAA Pacific Northwest Conference to address the construction labor shortage and the role our industry plays in shaping long-term solutions. The conversation emphasized the importance of investing in people, supporting inclusive pathways, and creating spaces where professionals from all backgrounds can connect, learn, and grow.
Thank you to the Pacific Northwest CMAA for inviting BWPS to take part in this important discussion, and to all the organizations and individuals who helped make the conference possible.
Event Recap: JTM Construction's Small Business Open House
Oct 15
Build With Pride Seattle had the opportunity to host a booth at JTM Construction's Small Business Open House during Construction Inclusion Week. The event created a welcoming space for small and diverse businesses to connect with resources, explore partnership opportunities, and learn more about navigating public works.
Attendees also enjoyed a fireside chat featuring two speakers who help make public projects more accessible for small contractors:
  • Nathan Bender, CRPSâ„¢, Black Bishop Financial Group, who shared strategies for simplifying the public works bidding process.
  • Wendy Ortman, MS, CCA, Prevailing Wage Compliance Consultant, who offered practical guidance on compliance and succeeding on public works and PLA contracts.
BWPS representatives Garett Larivee and Courtney Wise greeted attendees, shared information about our work, and connected with local business owners throughout the event.
Event Recap: 2025 HRC Seattle Dinner
Oct 11
Build With Pride Seattle was grateful to join GSBA at the 2025 Human Rights Campaign Seattle Dinner on October 11 at The BoxYard at Victory Hall. BWPS members Kim Scavotto and Courtney Wise attended on behalf of our organization, joining community leaders, advocates, and allies for an evening centered on equity, visibility, and collective action.
The event was both inspiring and impactful, highlighting the stories, energy, and shared commitment that continue to drive progress for LGBTQ+ equality. We are thankful to the Human Rights Campaign for bringing these important conversations and initiatives to Seattle.
A heartfelt thank-you as well to the dedicated volunteers whose work made the evening possible.
Event Recap: ANEW's 2025 Diversity & Inclusion Summit
Oct 17th
"Weathering the Storm: Retention and Inclusion Strategies in Economic Downturn"
Build With Pride Seattle was proud to have Co-Founder Kabri Lehrman-Schmid represent our community at ANEW's 2025 Diversity & Inclusion Summit during the session "Weathering the Storm: Retention and Inclusion Strategies in Economic Downturn."
Moderated by Blake Ingram, Director of Programs at ANEW, the panel included industry leaders Cal Beyer, Jane Lyda Mounsey, and Jason White, alongside Kabri. Together, they shared thoughtful insights on how organizations can strengthen belonging, support mental health, and retain diverse talent in times of economic uncertainty.
We're grateful to ANEW for creating space for these meaningful conversations and for highlighting voices who continue to advocate for inclusion across our industry.
Event Recap: Puget Sound RPAC Skilled Trade Resource Fair
Oct 18th
Community Connection
Build With Pride Seattle hosted a booth at the Puget Sound RPAC Skilled Trade Resource Fair, an event presented in partnership with ANEW, the Port of Seattle, and the Northwest Laborers Employer Training Trust.
Scholarship Information
We were excited to share information about the Built With Pride Scholarship, created in partnership with GSBA and ANEW to support LGBTQIA+ individuals in Washington State pursuing careers in the trades.
Expanding Access
By reducing financial and systemic barriers, this scholarship helps create a more inclusive and empowered workforce.
It was a great opportunity to connect with community members, future trades professionals, and partners committed to expanding access to construction careers.
Member Spotlight: The Blueprint for Better Leadership: Kabri Lehrman-Schmid
Aug 28
BWPS Co-Founder Kabri Lehrman-Schmid was featured on the Learnings and Missteps podcast in an episode released on August 28. In her conversation with host Jesse, Kabri shared insights from her 18-year career as a superintendent and nationally recognized construction leader.
The episode explores her approach to jobsite leadership, emphasizing psychological safety, communication, and the importance of creating environments where every worker feels valued and empowered. Kabri also speaks candidly about navigating a traditionally rigid industry and the ongoing work of driving meaningful cultural change.
Her authentic passion for people and process improvement shines through, making this a valuable listen for anyone in the construction field.
Community Spotlight: Psychological Safety Feature by Kabri Lehrman-Schmid
Aug 20
"Psychological safety is not separate from technical performance—it is foundational to achieving it."
In addition to her recent podcast appearance, BWPS Co-Founder Kabri Lehrman-Schmid was also featured in "Psychological Safety: Breaking Down Misconceptions in High-Risk Workplaces," a piece co-authored with Cal Beyer.
Drawing from her experience as a Project Superintendent on large, high-risk aviation programs, Kabri emphasized that psychological safety is not separate from technical performance—it is foundational to achieving it. She shared how culture and operations must work hand in hand, especially on complex projects where workers across multiple trades make thousands of decisions under pressure every day.
Her leadership approach centers on embedding trust, recognition, and clear communication into daily systems, resulting in stronger coordination, higher engagement, and fewer preventable issues. This feature highlights Kabri's national influence on jobsite culture and her ongoing work to reshape how high-risk workplaces think about safety and leadership.
BWPS Feature: Construction Center of Excellence
Build With Pride Seattle was recently featured by the Construction Center of Excellence in an article highlighting our mission, our community impact, and the growing need for visibility and connection within the construction industry. The feature explored how BWPS creates space for LGBTQIA+ professionals through events, partnerships, and scholarship initiatives, and it underscored the importance of collaboration across organizations to strengthen inclusion statewide.
We are grateful to the Construction Center of Excellence for helping share our story and elevate the work being done to build a more welcoming industry for all.
Member Spotlight:
Building Equality 10th Anniversary Transatlantic Panel
November 2025
We were honored to participate in Building Equality's tenth-anniversary transatlantic panel hosted in partnership with RICS. Leaders from the USA, Canada, and the UK came together to reflect on a decade of progress in equity, diversity, and inclusion across the construction and built-environment industries.
The discussion explored how attitudes toward EDI and LGBTQIA+ inclusion have shifted, what meaningful change looks like, and where progress is still urgently needed. Panelists included Courtney Wise from Build With Pride Seattle, Paul Pendergast from BuildOUT California, Andrew Torres from Build Out Alliance, and Mark Bullen, representing a broad range of experiences and perspectives across the industry.
The event highlighted how far we've come, the work that still lies ahead, and the power of collaboration across borders to create a more inclusive future in construction.
Event Recap: GSBA Equalux Gala
November 8, 2025
BWPS was proud to attend the annual Equalux Gala in support of the Scholarship and Education Fund. A BIG thank you to GSBA for the invite! Representatives Garett Larivee and Eliot Hills represented BWPS at the event, which helped to raise $725,000 for GSBA Scholars and connected queer-owned and allied businesses with the larger Seattle community.
Lydia Brewer Photography
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors!
Thank you to our Raffle Sponsors this year