This article is one in a series of conversations with women leaders in the construction industry. Click here for past discussions.
The construction meetings Jill Hudkins walks into today look much different than they did 30 years ago.
Early in her construction career, Hudkins said she was often the only woman at a jobsite or meeting. Today, as chief executive of AECOM Advisory, the construction giant’s infrastructure consulting arm, Hudkins sees more women involved with leading major projects, in addition to business strategy.
Hudkins’ own three-decade career has tracked that change.
She spent over 20 years in an operational and strategic leadership role at Tetra Tech, a Pasadena, California-based consulting and engineering services firm. Her achievements included the expansion of the company’s data analytics and the launch of its digital water practice. In 2024, Hudkins joined AECOM to develop and launch AECOM Advisory.
Hudkins spoke with Construction Dive about her path into the industry, opportunities for women in construction and advice for the younger generation.
Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
CONSTRUCTION DIVE: Why did you choose a career in construction?
JILL HUDKINS: I have many engineers in my family, including my dad who introduced me to the possibilities in engineering and construction. Their dedication and commitment to the industry shaped many of my early educational and career choices.
I saw early on that this industry provided an opportunity to build and run successful businesses and drive meaningful change. What makes that vision realized is the passion individuals and teams bring to each opportunity and challenge.
No single person delivers a successful project. It takes advisors, engineers, architects, planners, construction professionals, clients and communities working collaboratively toward a common goal.
For me, that collaboration is one of the most rewarding aspects of our industry. That sense of purpose, combined with the long-term value of our work, is what makes this career so meaningful.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in construction?
I have found that the industry provides many opportunities for women.
I have had advocates and mentors throughout my 30-plus year career. The women that came before me, as well as my current peers are tenacious, hard-working and systems thinkers who solve problems and become trusted advisors for our clients for decades. This is an industry where every day presents new challenges and opportunities, offering tremendous potential to build a meaningful career and make a tangible difference in people's lives through the work we deliver.
Seeing more women thrive and lead across our industry is exciting, and it reinforces the importance of supporting and investing in the next generation of talent.
That means mentoring others and having meaningful conversations that help break down barriers and create pathways for future leaders. It includes providing the opportunity to build confidence and resilience to help young women and girls better understand the endless opportunities available to them and inspire them to pursue careers with no limits.
What is some of the work you’re proudest of?
It is difficult to choose just one example from three decades of work, but I believe the work I am most proud of is growing extraordinary teams and working on first-of-a-kind water infrastructure projects in desalination and water reuse.
One that stands out is our multiyear infrastructure advisory work supporting the City of Los Angeles with the recovery and rebuild efforts following the 2025 Palisades Fire.
This work includes infrastructure, supply chain and logistics planning, as well as long-term recovery planning for the Palisades community.
This is the type of work that excites our team most. We are applying the same forward-looking approach to emerging issues, such as the rapid growth of data centers, where we are helping clients balance growth with environmental stewardship.
What is your advice to other women in construction?
My top three answers are to be authentic, say yes strategically and be kind and support other people along the way.
Your strengths are your number one asset, lean into those strengths that change outcomes. Embrace opportunities when they arise, even if they feel challenging or outside your comfort zone. Throughout my career, some of the most rewarding experiences have come from taking on new challenges. Kindness and integrity go a long way in a multidecade career. Long-term relationships are built on mutual respect and transparency.
At AECOM, when we partner with our clients, we often hear that the experience we bring is differentiated. I believe part of that unique client experience comes from the variety of real-world perspectives and insights that talented women and a diverse set of professionals bring to our teams.
When women are empowered to apply their knowledge and lead with confidence, they contribute to stronger outcomes and the long-term success of our clients, projects and industry.
I would also encourage women to be motivated to take ownership of their careers, be resilient in difficult times and seek out new experiences that build their skills and networks.
