Marie Patton, founder of Soteria Occupational Safety and Training and President of NAWIC Buffalo Niagara, shares a powerful and personal perspective on how the construction industry is evolving, and who is helping lead that change.

With over two decades of experience in construction safety, operations, and workforce training, Marie has built a career focused on protecting people and strengthening job site culture. But her work goes far beyond compliance, she is helping redefine what leadership in construction looks like. Through NAWIC Buffalo Niagara, she has helped grow a thriving network of women across all levels of the industry, from trades to business ownership, creating not just a professional organization, but a true support system and “sisterhood.”

In this talk, Marie challenges long-held perceptions of construction as a male-dominated field defined by hard hats and job sites. Today’s industry, she explains, is also about leadership, innovation, and opportunity, and women are playing a critical role in shaping its future. From mentoring young women entering the trades to building partnerships with local schools, workforce programs, and community organizations, NAWIC is actively creating pathways into the industry and supporting the next generation of builders.

Marie also reflects on her own unexpected career path, from aspiring teacher to construction safety leader, and how curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to step into opportunity helped define her journey. That same mindset now fuels her work in workforce development, where she has helped expand access through scholarships, mentorship, and hands-on engagement across Western New York.

Under her leadership, NAWIC Buffalo Niagara has grown rapidly, awarded tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships, and built strong connections across the region, from high school programs to organizations like the Buffalo Bills supporting local students. Through events, outreach, and initiatives, the organization continues to create spaces where women are not just included, but empowered to lead.

At its core, Marie’s message is clear: leadership isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you step into. By building each other up, expanding access, and creating opportunities, women in construction aren’t just joining the industry, they’re transforming it.