Woman in Construction on International Women's Day

Today, we celebrate International Women's Day! This day highlights gender diversity within the construction and infrastructure sectors. Bouwend Nederland launched the mini-campaign #bouwvrouwen, and at the end of August, the elections for the Female Builder of the Year will begin. The goal is to increase the visibility of women in this traditionally male-dominated sector. In this context, C2N speaks with one of our own female builders about her experiences and the importance of diversity in the construction industry.

Lizette van der Feer (48) – Head of Sustainability, Senior Consultant

"As a woman, if you stand your ground authentically, you will be given all the space to develop."

During my high school years, I always preferred the exact sciences. My parents built a house themselves, so I was exposed to architects and construction sites at an early age. When it came time to choose a field of study, choosing Architecture was an easy decision. The combination of the creativity of architecture and the technical aspects of construction appealed to me greatly.

In my work as an architect, I found that my interest increasingly turned toward sustainable building. In 2011, I made the transition to a consultancy firm focused on sustainable real estate. The role of sustainability advisor is incredibly diverse. I sit at the table with developers, contractors, and property managers, alternate office work with meetings in design or construction teams, and I am regularly on construction sites.

What’s exciting is that my advisory work is becoming more important. Sustainability is no longer optional; something must be done, especially now that global warming is finally receiving the attention it deserves. From Europe, ESG reporting and taxonomy are becoming mandatory, and end-users and investors are increasingly demanding sustainability in real estate. Where we initially focused on certifying buildings, the demand is now expanding to portfolios and organizations, which makes the work even more exciting.

During my studies in Architecture, it was clear that women were in the minority. At construction meetings, I am usually the only woman. I meet other women, but mostly in advisory roles, just like me. I can operate well within this male-dominated world because I am good at what I do, and clients appreciate that. Being a woman has no impact on this. I would encourage more girls to choose technical studies. If more women attain top positions in the tech sector, young girls will see that they are valued for what they can do, not who they are. This would promote diversity and provide a broader perspective on the subject matter.

When you stand your ground authentically as a woman, you are given all the space to develop.

Get in touch with Lizette van der Feer

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