The recent commemoration of the International Women’s Day brought about remarkable contributions of women which stand above the shoulders of traditionally male-dominated industries.
Among these trailblazers are Unispace Singapore, Head of Design and Delivery, Joanne Morris (left), and Pui Kheng Lee, Principal, Technical Delivery (right), who are making waves in the construction sector.
Unispace Singapore is a leading global firm specialising in workplace strategy, design, and construction. They are dedicated to creating experiential spaces for a rapidly changing world, focusing on deepening connections, fostering a sense of belonging, and driving success for their clients.
With expertise in knocking down barriers between strategy, design, and construction, Unispace delivers projects on meaningful timeframes, collaborates without egos, and strives for excellence across all aspects of their work. Driven by data and real-world insights, they honour local culture while operating as a global partner, offering innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client and location.
In an exclusive interviewwith BusinessToday, both Joanne and Pui Kheng share compelling stories about their journey into the construction industry. Joanne, inspired by her family’s architectural background, pursued Interior Design to unleash her creativity. Meanwhile Pui Kheng’s fascination with building blocks led her to embrace a hands-on approach, eventually carving a niche for herself in construction.
Beyond Academics
In 2024, women interested in construction can equip themselves by prioritising education and skill-building.
“I am seeing more women in the industry, on construction sites especially! I believe the growth in mindset and the maturity of industry standards have started seeing women beyond the traditional caregiver roles.
The big breakthrough I believe, happened when more women were hired as Quantity Surveyors, and there the industry evolved from then.” Pui Kheng said.
Joanne and Pui Kheng emphasised the importance of owning one’s power and confidence while seeking mentorship and networking opportunities.
They advocate for bold self-advocacy and seizing leadership roles to showcase talent and expertise.
Challenges and Stigmas
Both leaders have encountered hurdles and stereotypes as women in construction.
Joanne faced voice undermining and disparaging remarks based on her gender.
“I’ve faced significant hurdles, especially with my voice being undermined and enduring disparaging remarks based on my gender. There have been times when my ideas were dismissed simply because I’m a woman, and I’ve had to deal with comments belittling my skills due to stereotypes.” Joanne said.
Meanwhile, Pui Kheng navigated through being underestimated and mistaken for other roles, saying, “As a very young female in an extremely male-dominated industry, I constantly got my voice undermined and was also mistaken for other roles.
However, such experiences have allowed me to find my voice and be confident about my technical know-how, teaching me humility as well as empathy.
One best advice I have heard is that people will never be able to know what we are thinking, and that we have to voice them out. “If you’ve never asked, you will never get.” It has stuck with me since and I have kept that motto with me when feeling doubts about myself.”
They overcame these challenges by boosting confidence, sharpening skills, and advocating for themselves, paving the way for future generations.
“Overall, busting through these challenges as a woman in construction takes guts, confidence, and a commitment to shaking things up. By staying true to myself, standing up for what I bring to the table, and pushing for positive change, I keep pushing forward and thriving in this wild industry,” Joanne added.
Corporate Initiatives
At Unispace, promoting gender diversity is a priority. Joanne and Pui Kheng led initiatives to empower women, including mentorship programs and internal recognition.
“Our aim is to enhance and uplift the experiences of women within Unispace, fostering a more inclusive community for everyone. We strive to empower women and ensure they have access to opportunities within our organisation.
Our objective is to promote global connectivity among our teams, provide insights to drive organisational evolution and recognize and leverage the achievements of women across our business.
Through our programming, we aim to engage women and allies to enhance their Unispace experience. Currently, women constitute 43% of all Unispace employees, and we boast the highest engagement levels among our male colleagues.” Joanne said.
They emphasised the importance of representation and visibility, celebrating women’s achievements to create a more inclusive environment. Collaborating with industry stakeholders and government initiatives is crucial in promoting gender equality and sustainable growth.
Women Leadership
Having women in leadership positions drives innovation and business growth. “Having women in charge in industries typically dominated by men can shake things up and drive innovation and business growth. But let’s not put innovation and business growth in a gender box.
The right leader, no matter their gender, can bring a fresh perspective and turbocharge their team’s success.” Joanne said.
Additionally, they emphasised the importance of diverse perspectives in fostering creativity and productivity.
They bring soft skills like empathy and communication to the table, inspiring inclusivity and motivating teams to achieve goals. “Having a woman in the leadership role also empowers other smaller voices, other women’s voices to be heard better when discussing matters that could impact genders very differently.
A very simple example will be the presence of female washrooms on construction sites. Now, that would probably be a non-issue in a traditional male industry, but as we have more women involved, these are the topics that, as female leaders, can help shed light on,” Pui Kheng added.
Tackling Labour Shortage
Narrowing the gender gap can address persistent labour shortages in the construction industry.
Joanne and Pui Kheng highlight the importance of confronting stigma and creating inclusive spaces to attract more women to the field. By tapping into underutilised talent pools, the industry can ensure sustainable growth and a diverse workforce.
Women like Joanne Morris and Pui Kheng Lee are shaping the future of the construction industry in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Their leadership, resilience, and commitment to inclusivity are paving the way for a more diverse and innovative workforce.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s recognise and amplify the voices of women in construction, inspiring future generations to break barriers and pursue their dreams.
