UNITED CONTRACTORS CEO, EMILY COHEN TO SERVE AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT ENR’S 2026 GROUNDBREAKING WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE
Summary: United Contractors (UCON) announced that CEO Emily Cohen will serve as a keynote speaker at the 2026 ENR Groundbreaking Women in Construction Conference in San Diego this June. Hosted by Engineering News-Record (ENR), the national conference brings together construction leaders and professionals from across the country to discuss leadership, workforce development, industry trends, and the future of construction. Cohen will share perspectives on California infrastructure, contractor advocacy, and industry leadership, continuing her growing recognition across the construction industry following her recent selection as one of the Bay Area Business Times’ Most Influential Women for 2026.
[San Ramon, CA – May 27, 2026] – United Contractors (UCON), representing 800+ union-signatory construction and associated firms across California, is proud to announce that Chief Executive Officer Emily Cohen will serve as a keynote speaker at the 2026 ENR Groundbreaking Women in Construction Conference, taking place this June in San Diego, California.
Hosted by Engineering News-Record (ENR), the Groundbreaking Women in Construction Conference is one of the construction industry’s premier leadership and talent development events, bringing together influential leaders, innovators, and professionals from across the country to advance leadership, opportunity, and industry growth for women in construction.
Cohen will join a respected lineup of industry leaders and speakers, sharing perspectives on California infrastructure, contractor advocacy, workforce engagement, and the changing landscape of construction leadership. Her participation reflects UCON’s continued focus on strengthening the industry through collaboration, relationship-building, and workforce development.
“Emily represents the very best of our industry—collaborative, forward-thinking, and deeply committed to building both people and infrastructure,” said Alan Guy, President & CEO of Anvil Builders and President of UCON’s Board of Directors. “Her leadership continues to elevate the voice of contractors across California while helping create greater opportunities for the next generation of industry leaders.”
The ENR Groundbreaking Women in Construction Conference is known for its strong sense of community and practical industry discussions, offering attendees opportunities to exchange ideas, build meaningful relationships, and gain insight into the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of construction.
“Construction is ultimately about people—the relationships we build, the opportunities we create, and the impact we leave behind,” said Emily Cohen. “I’m honored to participate in a conference that brings together talented professionals from across the country to share ideas, challenge perspectives, and help shape where our industry is headed. This is an important moment for construction as we continue building stronger teams, developing new talent, and creating more pathways for long-term success across the industry.”
Cohen’s keynote appearance follows recent recognition by the Bay Area Business Times, which named her one of the Bay Area’s Most Influential Women for 2026. Throughout her career, she has played a significant role in advancing infrastructure investment, industry advocacy, coalition-building, and contractor engagement across California.
For more information about the conference, visit: ENR Groundbreaking Women in Construction Conference
About Emily Cohen, UCON CEO
Emily Cohen serves as Chief Executive Officer of United Contractors (UCON), one of California’s leading construction trade associations representing union-signatory heavy civil contractors and industry partners statewide. Cohen has helped lead major industry advocacy efforts, workforce initiatives, labor relations strategies, and coalition-building efforts that continue to strengthen California’s construction industry and infrastructure investment landscape.
About United Contractors (UCON)
United Contractors (UCON) founded in 1970, is one of the nation’s leading construction trade associations, representing 800+ union-signatory heavy civil contractors and affiliate members across California. Our members collectively employ more than 40,000 workers across the construction industry and proudly build the state’s most vital infrastructure, including roads, bridges, highways, water infrastructure, utilities, parks, hospitals, schools, and more. UCON empowers, advocates for, and supports its members through industry-leading labor relations, government advocacy, and premier leadership opportunities for industry development, relationship-building, and next-generation growth.
