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Building Industry's Outstanding Women Receive Recognition

Zetlin & De Chiara's four women partners were honored by the building industry at the recent Women Builders Council Third Annual Dinner and Gala at BNY Mellon in lower Manhattan. 

Carol Paterson, Patricia Harris, Lori Samet Schwarz and Lina G. Telese were presented with WBC's Outstanding Women award, honoring women who have made outstanding contributions in the building industry. Carol Paterson, one of Zetlin & De Chiara's senior partners, Patricia Harris, the firm's managing partner, Lori Samet Schwarz and Lina Telese, were among 82 women from diverse industry sectors including construction management, architecture, engineering and professional services. Jane Chmielinski, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Officer at AECOM, stewarded the recognition of WBC's Outstanding Women to over 450 guests at the ceremony. This was the first time the building industry has recognized outstanding women at all levels within a firm.

"There is more to recognizing women than the recognition itself, " said Jane Chmielinski, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Officer of AECOM Technology Corporation. "We are establishing role models for this generation of women and for the generations after them. Programs such as WBC support that philosophy and allow for the advancement of a more diverse and rich work experience."

All 82 Outstanding Women are profiled in a special online and print publication, WBC's 2009 Outstanding Women in the Building Industry. The video showcase of the award presentation is available online at http://wbcnyc.org/outstandingwomen.html. The publication is available in print and online at http://www.wbcnyc.org/2009dinner/women.html.

"Recognition of talented women in the construction industry is long overdue," said Michael Zetlin, one of the two founding partners at Zetlin & De Chiara, recognized as the region's leading construction law firm. "We are proud that our firm continues to support and advance the women at the very highest levels of our practice," added Michael De Chiara. Our firm is committed to growing and developing the talent our industry needs and the women in our firm ably represent that talent. "

The annual event, which honors those who have made exceptional contributions in their fields was attended by top executives from some of the most prominent international and domestic companies such as AECOM, Bovis Lend Lease LMB, Inc., Plaza Construction Corporation and Turner Construction Company as well as leaders from public agencies including the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, The New York City School Construction Authority and the United States Department of Transportation, among many others. 

About Women Builders Council

The mission of the Women Builders Council (WBC) is to seek and implement solutions to the challenges, obstacles and concerns of women in the building industry by providing advocacy, technical assistance and training. WBC provides regional strength to impact public policies, allowing for change to enhance the growth of small businesses, including minority and women business enterprises.

WBC reaches beyond mentoring to assist women in the building industry in achieving the highest possible standard of success. Devoted to providing an influential voice in the legislative process for women architects, engineers, contractors and subcontractors, WBC welcomes public and private sector women and men from every building and construction industry discipline, working at every level from executive staff to management. WBC provides a dynamic forum that promotes industry knowledge, addresses the barriers that prevent women from advancing and facilitates solutions for policymakers and industry leaders.

For more information about the Women Builders Council, please visit www.wbcnyc.org.

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