Celebrating Women in Construction Week 2026 with Sue Gilbert, first female principal at North Branch Construction

Question: What does becoming the first female principal in a commercial construction company mean to you personally and professionally?

Sue: Owning a construction company has been a goal of mine since I started in this industry more than 25 years ago. Becoming the first female principal at NBC is something I’m incredibly proud of—and I don’t take the responsibility lightly. In this role, I’m committed to making sure everyone can be heard at the table. I’ve been given the opportunity to help shape our company culture, challenge gender bias, and rethink what leadership looks like at NBC. It has also opened the door for meaningful conversations about the growing role of women in construction across our region.  I’m excited to be a part of that progress and to help create more opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

Question: What legacy do you hope to leave for the next generation of women in construction?

Sue: Nothing is handed to you because of your age, gender, or background. You earn it through hard work, persistence, and staying focused on what you want to achieve.Surround yourself with people who lift you up and push you to be better. When you work on improving yourself while also making the company stronger, everyone benefits—and that’s where real progress happens.

Question: Who helped shape your career, and what did you learn from them?

Sue: I’m grateful for all the men and women who’ve gone above and beyond to teach me and help me grow into who I am today. Over the past three years especially, some of my partners have played a huge role in my career development. Their encouragement, support, and guidance were invaluable as I made the shift from residential to commercial construction. They’ve helped me learn to focus on the bigger picture instead of getting stuck in the small details—and that perspective is what keeps us moving forward.

Question: What do you hope younger women see when they see you in this role?

Sue: It’s not an “us versus them” mindset that gets you ahead. We move forward when we work together toward the same goal. Everyone has a role to play, and it takes all of us doing our part to get the job done.

Question: How do you think having more women in leadership roles changes the way construction companies operate?

Sue: Women bring unique strengths to construction—fresh ideas, strong problem-solving skills, a focus on safety, and a deeper sense of connection to the work and the people. At the end of the day, it’s about working as a team, not just for ourselves, and leaving the industry better than we found it.