Does Michigan Have Property Taxes? (2026 Tax Guide)
Women in Construction Week® is a time to celebrate the women who dedicate their careers to building our homes and communities from the ground up.
At M/I Homes, women play vital roles across our construction teams, and this week gives us a special opportunity to highlight a few of their stories that reflect their expertise, leadership, and passion for homebuilding.
Finding Purpose in an Unexpected Place
For some, construction is a lifelong dream. For others, it’s a path they discover along the way. Lexi Steinmetz, a Construction Manager in Tampa, didn’t plan on a career in construction at all. She was working toward a nursing license when the pandemic changed everything.
“Construction was not part of my long-term goal initially. COVID is what really pushed me into it. I realized I liked the problem-solving aspect and the daily change of scenery. What started as a backup plan turned into something I genuinely enjoy.”
Nearly four years later, she’s built a career she loves; one defined by constant movement, new challenges, and meaningful interactions with homeowners.
“No two days look the same. I’m always moving to different homes and communities. I also like talking with the buyers and hearing their post-closing plans for their homes.”
The passion for building started much earlier for Robyn Hilton, a Construction Manager in Sarasota.
“I’ve always loved anything to do with remodeling and building homes. It all started in elementary school when my dad bought me a drafting table for our basement. I would sit downstairs for hours just drawing floorplans of homes. Then, in high school, I took architecture classes for 2 years. I loved everything about that class.”
That early passion eventually led Robyn from a 16-year career in real estate advertising in New York to Florida, where she learned the homebuilding process from permitting to design studio to the field.
“One of my clients was a home builder and offered me a position working in the permitting department to learn everything from the ground up,” she shared. “After learning all there was to know, I wanted to explore opportunities working in the field.”
“My favorite aspect of my job is being out in the field and not sitting behind a desk all day. I love going between job sites. And I absolutely love working with homeowners. Watching their amazement throughout the process is extremely rewarding.”
A Career Built Over Decades
Linda Dignon, a Senior Construction Manager in Orlando, has a story that stretches back nearly four decades—proving that women have been shaping the homebuilding industry for generations.
“I fell into it. In 1986, my boyfriend at the time was a framer. On my days off, I would go to the jobsite with him. I fell in love with working outdoors and actually building something.”
After learning how to frame homes, she was recognized for her potential, promoted quickly, and never looked back. “I love working with the customers and building their dream home. It’ll be 40 years in September!”
Her favorite part of the job still comes down to the people: “Honestly, the customers. I love making them happy.”
Carlene Cathcart’s roots in construction, however, began even earlier.
“My mother was a real estate broker turned developer for whom I started working as a very young lady. She became the first female UG utilities contractor in Florida in the mid 80s.”
For Carlene, now a Senior Construction Manager in Orlando, the satisfaction has always been tangible. “For me, the gratification of turning dirt and plans into the fulfillment of someone’s dreams is so rewarding.”
Strength Behind the Scenes
Construction excellence doesn’t only happen in the field. Behind every successful build is a team supporting systems, communication, and coordination.
As Stacy Mell—a Construction Administrator in Cincinnati—shared, her journey began with hands-on renovation work at home. That experience sparked a deeper curiosity. “It’s fascinating to realize how much is inside the walls we live within, how much goes into a comfortable, quality home.”
Now working in the office, she finds purpose in enabling her field team’s success. “Since I work in the office, I really enjoy meeting days when my entire team comes in from the field. It’s the highlight of my week to see everyone together, sharing stories and pooling experiences to make ourselves better.”
She also recognizes the strength that comes from perspective. “Working mostly with men (both as a majority, both my internal team and external contractors), I’ve had to concede that we often take a different path to get to the same destination. Recognizing that difference and adjusting my approach was an initial challenge. Now that I understand it much better, I’ve adapted.”
At the core of Sarasota Construction Manager Ashtyn Crockett's success is communication. “One of my biggest traits that’s helped me succeed is strong communication. Whether I’m working with a homeowner, trade partners, or internal teams, being clear, responsive, and proactive prevents issues and builds trust.”
Breaking Stereotypes With Confidence and Humor
When asked about challenges, these women shared perspectives that might surprise you.
“A lot of people expect my answer to be about not getting respect because I’m a woman, but that hasn’t been my experience,” Lexi said. “When you do what you’re supposed to do, the respect comes naturally.”
Her biggest ongoing challenge? “Probably the farmer’s tan I’ve developed since working here. It makes wearing dresses a little more difficult.”
At the same time, Ashtyn acknowledges the realities of a male-dominated field. “One of the biggest challenges can be overcoming assumptions. Construction has traditionally been male-dominated, so sometimes you have to establish credibility more quickly and consistently. The positive side is that once you demonstrate knowledge and reliability, respect follows.”
For Linda, the challenge early on was proving her knowledge. “A lot of times, I had to work harder. I love it when they realize I know what I am doing.”
Carlene echoed a similar experience from earlier in her career: “The most challenging for me was to be taken seriously as a young woman in construction. It was humor and knowledgeability that helped me overcome many objections.”
The Traits That Make a Difference
Success in construction requires more than technical skills—it takes communication, empathy, diligence, and grit.
“My customer service and communication skills have been my biggest asset,” Lexi confessed. “I work with a lot of people, and I’ve always been comfortable putting myself in their shoes when problems arise.”
She also credits her attention to detail. “Being extremely detail-oriented and customer service-oriented has 100% led me to be very successful in my role.”
Linda points to persistence and mindset: “Diligence and persistence together with a customer service-driven mindset help me accomplish goals. Knowledge and a sense of humor help me survive.”
Behind the scenes, personality and perspective matter just as much for Stacy. “I like people. Truly, I find humanity’s wide range of traits, quirks, strengths, and expressions endlessly entertaining. Appreciating this allows me to smile, laugh, adjust, encourage, and continue to do my best work.”
Advice for the Next Generation
Each woman offered encouraging advice for others considering a career in construction.
“Take the opportunity if it’s something you think you’d enjoy. A lot of the things that hold us back are in our own heads, before you even step onto a job site.” - Lexi
“Just do it! It’s such a rewarding career. I do love coming to work every single day because of the people I work with.” - Robyn
“Don’t hesitate. Just as with any new adventure, there’s an adjustment period and continuing challenges. When you find yourself having fallen in with an exceptional team, dig in, turn the challenges into strengths, and make your contribution.” - Stacy
“Field work offers gratifying opportunities, but it also requires hands-on experience with construction. Construction field work is not a ‘I think I’ll try that!’ kind of job.” - Carlene
“Learn the process, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to speak up. The more knowledgeable you are about construction, the more confident you’ll feel—and confidence earns respect.” - Ashtyn
“It is hard work and comes with a lot of stress. But the feeling you get when a customer cries at their New Home Orientation and thanks you for building their dream home is worth all of it.” - Linda
Building More Than Homes
Women in Construction Week® reminds us that building homes is ultimately about building trust, relationships, and futures. It’s about turning drafting table dreams into real communities, transforming dirt and plans into lifelong memories, and supporting teams both in the field and behind the scenes.
We’re proud to work alongside women who show up every day ready to solve problems, support homeowners, and raise the bar for what this industry can be.
This week, and every week, we celebrate the women whose dedication helps us deliver homes and communities our customers are proud to call their own.
Recommended Stories
Does Tennessee Have Property Taxes? (2026 Tax Guide)
