PWC, W/MBE workshop respires, teaches participants.

Madeleine Frederick, a foreman with LVI Construction studying project management at the Mechanics Institute, said, "I learned that I have a chance to better my career."

Femi Agana, one of few female carpenters in the metropolitan region, a member of Local 608, and a fellow student of project management at the Mechanics Institute, said, "Today's workshop shed some light on the complicated process of certification. Now I think it can be done."

Olivia Morris, president, Advanced Mold Testing, a woman-owned business currently seeking certification, said, "It's inspiring to see so many women eager to participate."

Stephanie Ansari, community affairs coordinator, Turner Construction, said, "Today's workshop and fair increases our pool of minority subcontractors and helps us stay in the game as leading assistants to M/ WBEs."

Robin Wilcox, manager of operations mentor program, NYC School Construction Authority, said, "This is exactly the place we need to be.

People get to meet us and we meet them. Hopefully, three to four months down the line we'll be working with them, or moving towards that goal."

All of the women quoted above were talking about the W/MBE (women and minority-owned business enterprises) Technical Assistance Workshop and Opportunity Fair presented by Professional Women in Construction (PWC) on October 15 at The Mechanics Institute in New York City.

The workshop was the fourth such program hosted by PWC and led by PWC Director of Business Development, Gwendolyn Colbert-Kushner. Offered free of charge to existing and prospective W/MBEs as well as LBEs (locally-based) and DBEs (disadvantaged) businesses, it was received enthusiastically by both participants and exhibitors.

Susana Brown, president, Greystone Engineering, found the event extremely helpful. "This was great networking. I was able to make personal contacts with these usually impersonal agencies."

Lisa Dini, owner/president, LISD Inc., a pending WBE who's been attending PWC events since May, said, "It was terrific. I'm really impressed by the women's movement I see here. It's an empowering business forum for women."

Ann Mullen, supplier and diversity program manager with Johnson & Johnson, said, "It was important to hear it clearly stated that certifications really mean something--they aren't just rubber stamps."

Rekha Kurikoti, recruiting specialist for Time Warner Cable, said, "We're trying to get more women in the technical field. It was a good chance to meet them."

Rose Valenti, administrator, Con Ed, was happy that" I found people whom I can either help directly or refer to someone else."

Charles Croskey, AA specialist, DASNY, said, "It's a great forum to meet new contractors, new firms not familiar with the Dormitory Authority and to get them involved."

Jorge Mercado, principal business analyst with the economic development department, Port Authority of NY & NJ, said, "This event helps the Port Authority advocate programs that PWC promotes. It becomes a win-win situation."

PWC will present a Trade Fair on Wednesday, November 12, from 5:30 to 8 pm at Pfizer Conference Center, 235 East 42nd Street.