Hosted at the Hilton Anatole Dallas, the Women in CemCo International Congress Americas 2026 brought together women leaders, engineers, sustainability experts, and executives from across the cement and construction sectors for two days of dialogue, inspiration, and professional exchange.
Held on March 12–13, 2026, the Congress followed closely after the Cementitious Materials International Technical & Trade Congress 2026, creating a powerful continuation of industry conversations—this time focusing on the people shaping the sector’s future.
More than a conference, Women in CemCo Americas became a platform where experience met ambition, where leadership journeys were shared openly, and where the role of women in building the future of construction was explored with honesty, purpose, and vision.
Opening the Dialogue: Why Women’s Leadership Matters
The Congress opened with welcoming remarks from Beatrice Ene, Managing Director and Head of Events at Industry Link, who emphasized the growing importance of inclusive leadership within the cement and construction industries.
As the sector faces enormous transformation—from decarbonization and new materials to digitalization and infrastructure expansion—the need for diverse leadership perspectives has never been greater. Women are increasingly stepping into roles that shape not only corporate culture but also the strategic direction of companies operating in one of the world’s most critical industries.
The Congress was designed to highlight those voices, creating a space where women could share experiences, lessons learned, and practical strategies for navigating careers in traditionally male-dominated environments.
Redefining Success in Construction
The first session opened with an inspiring discussion on redefining professional success in the construction sector. Jenessa Miglietta, Vice President of Sustainability, Innovation, and Customer Solutions at CRH Americas, joined Shannon Truax-Wardell, Vice President for Safety, Health, and Environment, to explore what leadership looks like for women working in heavy industry today.
Their conversation reflected a broader shift taking place within construction and cement companies: leadership is no longer defined solely by operational results but also by the ability to build resilient teams, drive sustainability, and create environments where diverse talent can thrive.
The session highlighted the importance of confidence, mentorship, and strategic thinking, while also acknowledging the challenges that women often face when navigating careers in technical and industrial fields.
The dialogue continued with Susan Foster, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Komponent at CTS Cement Manufacturing Corporation, whose presentation “Finding Rhythm and Delivering Results” offered practical insights into balancing leadership responsibilities, innovation, and long-term strategic planning.
Her message resonated strongly with the audience: effective leadership is often about finding the rhythm between operational demands and long-term vision.
Journeys That Shape Leadership
The second day of the Congress opened with personal leadership journeys from women who have shaped important areas of the cement and concrete industry.
Tiffany Reed-Villarreal, Director of Sustainability Codes and Standards at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, shared her path from structural engineering to sustainability advocacy. Her presentation illustrated how technical expertise can evolve into strategic leadership, especially as sustainability becomes central to the future of construction.
A deeply personal industry perspective followed from Nancy Beltran, Director of Concrete Pavements at the Cement Council of Texas, who spoke about her journey through the cement and concrete sector and the resilience required to build a career in infrastructure and materials engineering.
Leadership opportunities within professional organizations were also discussed by Maria Juenger, President of the American Concrete Institute, who highlighted the role that industry associations play in developing future leaders and advancing technical excellence across the sector.
Building Stronger Pathways for Women in Concrete
As the Congress progressed, the focus turned toward one of the most important questions facing the industry: how can companies attract and retain more women in cement and concrete careers?
Communication between operational teams and executive leadership was addressed by Anne Ellis, CEO of Ellis Global, whose presentation “Lost in Translation: Operations vs. Executive Speak” explored how effective communication can bridge the gap between strategy and field operations.
The discussion then moved toward talent development and workforce diversity. Julia Garbini, President of the Concrete Advancement Foundation, presented innovative strategies for recruiting and retaining women in the concrete industry, highlighting the importance of mentorship programs, educational partnerships, and visible role models.
Another valuable industry perspective came from Maria Camila Castro Garrido, Concrete Materials Manager at EllisDon, who shared insights into managing materials innovation and sustainability within major infrastructure projects.
Leadership with Purpose in Heavy Industry
The afternoon sessions focused on leadership with purpose—an increasingly important concept in industries undergoing rapid transformation.
Nitya Iyer, Regional Quality Engineer at Heidelberg Materials North America, spoke about the realities of leading technical teams in heavy industry. Her presentation emphasized the importance of combining technical expertise with strategic thinking and emotional intelligence.
Another perspective on leadership came from Ana Gallego, Health, Safety and Environment Director at CIMPOR, who addressed the evolving role of women leaders in cement companies. Moving from representation to real decision-making power, she argued, is one of the most important steps toward building more inclusive and resilient organizations.
Communication, Collaboration, and the Next Generation of Leaders
The final session of the Congress highlighted the importance of communication and collaboration in leadership development.
Elisabeth Freinhofer from CEMTEC presented perspectives from the technology and equipment sector, demonstrating how engineering innovation and commercial leadership intersect in the cement industry.
The event concluded with a communication workshop led by Beatrice Bildea-Ene, focusing on leadership communication skills—an increasingly essential capability for professionals navigating complex technical industries.
Women in CemCo: Building a Stronger Future for the Industry
Across two days of discussions, presentations, and workshops, Women in CemCo Americas 2026 demonstrated that the future of the cement and construction industries will be shaped not only by new technologies but also by the leaders who guide their development.
Women are playing an increasingly important role across every segment of the sector—from engineering and sustainability to operations, strategy, and executive leadership. Their perspectives are helping companies rethink how teams collaborate, how innovation is implemented, and how organizations build resilient cultures capable of navigating rapid change.
As the Congress concluded in Dallas, one message resonated clearly: empowering women in construction is not only about representation. It is about strengthening the entire industry—bringing new ideas, new leadership styles, and new approaches to solving the challenges that lie ahead.
The Women in CemCo International Congress continues to provide the platform where those conversations begin and where the next generation of leaders finds both inspiration and opportunity.
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Find out more about the future of building sustainably. Discover the latest in cement industry innovations, best practices, and decarbonization efforts at our upcoming events – join us to shape a greener world!
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Other events in 2026:
ESG and Sustainability International Summit and Industry 5.0 Conference and Exhibition – June 10-11, 2026; Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
A premier regional platform for industry leaders to discuss sustainability, ESG strategies, and regulatory advancements in cement and construction. This event brings together thought leaders and corporate professionals from around the world to explore the latest trends in sustainable finance, legal frameworks, and industry innovations.
We are also including panel discussions on Industry 5.0 to discuss how AI and Automation and other smart solutions are contributing to the decarbonization of the cement & construction industry.
The event is designed to inspire, educate, and empower corporate attendees to drive sustainable progress and create a positive impact on our planet and society, previous editions were held in Madeira, Portugal and Cairo, Egypt in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
Cementitious Materials International technical and Trade Congress EMEA, 28 – 29 October, Brussels, Belgium
The EMEA edition of the Cementitious Materials International technical and Trade Congress is poised to build om success stories of past events – the first edition was held in Casablanca, Morocco in April 2024 and the second edition was also held in Cairo earlier this year.
This is once again an opportunity to network with your peers and leaders in the industry, gain first-hand insights on regional trends, learn from industry experts about the latest market dynamics, regulatory changes and future outlook of cementitious materials in the region.
See link for the summary of the last edition – Cementitious Materials International TechTrade Congress – EMEA | Cairo, Egypt | June 3-4, 2025 (Overview here)
CarbonZero Alternative Fuels & Raw Materials Global Conference & Exhibition 2026 to include Cementitious Europe – Congress, 28 – 29 October, Brussels, Belgium
This premier global platform, CarbonZero brings together senior decision-makers to accelerate the transition to Net Zero in cement and construction. The conference will explore green alternatives—ranging from alternative fuels and raw materials to clinker substitutes-alongside emerging technologies, carbon capture, financing and investment strategies, policy developments, and industry standards. This C-level gathering convenes leaders from cement manufacturing, construction, technology, research, academia, and regulatory institutions—united in shaping actionable and sustainable solutions.
