The National Association of Women in Construction has appointed Christina Yiakkoupis as the new National Chair of its board.
Yiakkoupis is the former Vice Chair and has been a director on the board since July 2017.
The group serves an important role across the construction sector, given women make up just a quarter of the construction workforce and significantly fewer numbers in leadership positions. According to the latest stats from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, women make up just 10 percent of heads of business in construction, and under 5 percent of CEOs.
In a statement released by the Association, Yiakkoupis said she is looking forward to working with NAWIC volunteers, supporters and members to improve the conditions for women in the construction industry.
“Together we can BE LOUD and continue to help women be who they want to be in construction,” Yiakkoupis said.
“As the office bearers for NAWIC, Samantha [Woodward – the new Vice Chair] and I are looking forward to working together with the Board to deliver on NAWIC’s mission of 25 percent by 2025 by engaging with each State Chapter, stakeholder and member to work through the actions required to realise our Strategic Plan”.
Yiakkoupis, who is based on the Gold Coast, currently works for the concrete supply, pump and place contractor, Pro Concrete Group, and has been a public advocate for women and girls in the construction industry for years.
She studied engineering at Queensland University of Technology before landing her first roles as a graduate engineer at companies including Arup, Post of Brisbane Corporation and Lend Lease.
The Association’s Former Chair, Kristine Scheul, who continues her work on the board as the National Advocacy Chair and has previously written for Women’s Agenda, said she has enjoyed her role in the past three years and hopes Yiakkoupis receives the support she had.
“I congratulate Christina on her elevation to the role of Chair and hope she receives the same level of support from our members that I had the pleasure of experiencing,” Scheul said in a statement.
“During my tenure I am very proud to have witnessed the growth of our organisation and the increased engagement and advocacy the organisation has been able to undertake with the support of organisations such as the Australian Construction Industry Forum, Australian Gender Equality Council the Construction Industry Culture Taskforce and Government representatives at both State and Commonwealth level.”