Build With Pride Seattle: Connection, Collaboration and Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Professionals
Co-founder Kabri Lehrman-Schmid (she/her), superintendent with Hensel Phelps, shares how Build With Pride Seattle is creating a vibrant and inclusive community for architecture, engineering and construction professionals to thrive.
Started in 2024, Build With Pride Seattle was founded to empower members by offering space to share experiences, learn from others and contribute to more inclusive and equitable architecture, engineering and construction industries.
In a recent interview with the Daily Journal of Commerce, Lehrman-Schmid shared that, “Construction is naturally inclusive — we connect expertise across diverse skillsets and uphold shared values like pride-of-work. What’s missing, however, are the personal connections and support networks that come from meaningful communities. Marginalized groups in our industry need reasons to stay and tools to thrive if we’re to expect lasting change.”
The organization focuses closely on education, networking and advocacy, with Lehrman-Schmid pointing to recent events like their first-ever LGBTQIA+ happy hour that brought together AEC professionals for an evening of pride, community and connection.
With over 200 attendees from 85 companies spanning architecture, engineering and construction firms, organizers had to expand the room to fit the group, pointing to a desire for community and connection across industries. From suits and dresses to gear for the job site, the evening welcomed all to, “embrace their true, inclusive selves.”
In conversation, Lehrman-Schmid also pointed to the organization’s ongoing commitment to education and networking, highlighting their recent work on October’s Construction Inclusion Week. In collaboration with ANEW and the Greater Seattle Business Association, the organization contributed to a Resource Rendezvous that included a presentation on the challenges and rewards of creating community spaces, scholarship information and access to jobsite inclusion resources from RISEUp.
Not every region, local area or contractor recognizes Construction Inclusion Week, noted Lehrman-Schmid, with more work to do to raise the profile of the annual event.
2025 is set to be a year of growth for Build With Pride Seattle, with more events and a higher profile for the organization, all in service to creating workplaces that prioritize psychological safety and foster belonging. “Developing new partnerships between existing resources is an essential way BWPS is facilitating the growth of a successful community and increasing safety in our region,” said Lehrman-Schmid to the DJC.
Interested in learning more, attending an event, donating or getting involved? Find out more at Build With Pride Seattle, connect by email, follow on LinkedIn or sign up for the newsletter.
The Washington State Construction Center of Excellence (WSCCE) recognizes the vital role that organizations like Build With Pride Seattle play in fostering inclusive and equitable career pathways in construction. As one of Washington’s convening resource hubs for the construction industry, WSCCE is committed to advancing workforce development, removing barriers to apprenticeship and skilled trades, and ensuring that diverse talent has the resources and support needed to thrive.
Build With Pride Seattle’s dedication to creating a welcoming and psychologically safe industry aligns with WSCCE’s mission to make construction careers accessible to all, particularly those from historically underrepresented communities. By supporting initiatives like Construction Inclusion Week and advocating for increased industry awareness, Build With Pride Seattle exemplifies the type of grassroots leadership necessary to drive lasting change.
In 2025 and beyond, WSCCE looks forward to collaborating with Build With Pride Seattle to expand education, networking, and mentorship opportunities that empower LGBTQIA+ professionals in construction. Together, we can continue building an industry where diversity fuels innovation, equity ensures opportunity, and inclusion strengthens the entire workforce.
For those looking to support this movement, consider attending an event, donating, or getting involved with Build With Pride Seattle. Learn more at Build With Pride Seattle, connect here: https://www.buildwithprideseattle.com/
