Sara Pope stumbled into the construction industry by chance. She needed a job in college and joined a general contractor without any real expectations. “To my surprise, I loved it — the energy of the jobsites and seeing projects come to life hooked me,” Pope said. “As my career grew, I found myself drawn to construction technology and software, which opened up an entirely new side of the industry. What fascinates me most is that construction is everywhere — homes, roads, hospitals, skyscrapers. It shapes the world we live in, and being part of that has been incredibly rewarding."
One of the biggest challenges women still face is visibility and access, Pope noted. “While we’ve made progress, many young girls don’t get enough exposure to the industry to even know it’s an option for them. They need to see the full range of opportunities — from hands-on roles in the trades to careers in technology, project management and leadership — so they understand there’s a place for them no matter their interests.”
Beyond that, advancement often depends on advocacy, Pope said. “To move up, women need people willing to champion their work and say their names when they’re not in the room. Without that sponsorship, it’s easy to get overlooked, no matter how strong your contributions are.”
In her mid-20s, she had the opportunity to visit a truly unique jobsite — one of the world’s largest copper mines in Chile.
“The sheer scale of that project was eye-opening and became a pivotal moment for me,” Pope recalled. “It showed me just how incredible the construction process can be, and it underscored how globally connected this industry really is. That experience deepened my appreciation for the work we do and inspired me to think about construction on a much larger scale.”
If Pope could give her younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: “Your network is everything. Construction is a niche industry, and people here love connecting with other construction people. Relationships will open more doors than résumés ever will. Invest in building your network early — you’ll be surprised how often it becomes your greatest asset.”
For Pope, Women in Construction and Kahua’s own Trailblazer Women in Construction Tech have been significant resources for her professional growth, providing opportunities to connect, learn and network with other women across the industry.
Pope advises industry leaders that to attract more women leaders, leaders need to reframe recruitment messaging. “Construction isn’t just hard hats and boots. Show the full spectrum of roles from tech and design to leadership so women can see how their skills and interests can truly thrive in this industry.”
Pope loves speaking to college students, sharing not only her general experience in business but also the lessons she’s learned progressing in this industry. “Beyond that, I mentor multiple women one-on-one, help shape Kahua’s intern professional development program, and have authored a guide on maximizing internships to give young professionals actionable tools to launch and grow their careers,” she said.
When she’s not at work, Pope is usually cheering at her children’s soccer games, conquering a workout class or getting lost in a good book.
“I love watching movies, spending time with my family and doing anything that helps me keep leveling up – personally or professionally.”