The Women of Pahlisch Homes: Celebrating Women in Construction Week
It takes vision, coordination, and skilled leadership to build neighborhoods and create spaces where life and community can take root. From imagining floor plans and drafting blueprints to pouring foundations, framing walls, and turning over the keys to the front door, building new homes demands expertise, creativity, and a team of dedicated staff. At Pahlisch Homes, the home-building process unfolds thanks to the work and leadership of many people. Increasingly, women are shaping this process at every stage of the journey: leading projects, managing accounts, mastering the trades, and redefining what residential development looks like.
Women in Construction Week is a time to celebrate the women who plan, coordinate, build, and represent our neighborhoods from the ground up. It’s an opportunity to recognize the skills, innovation, and vision that women bring to Pahlisch Homes and jobsites across the country. Women in Construction Week isn’t just about recognition. It’s about visibility, opportunity, and leadership. It’s about inspiring the next generation of women in construction and creating a stronger team that reflects the communities we serve.
More Than Just Building
Pahlisch Homes relies heavily on the leadership and experience of the women on our team. Building neighborhoods and communities goes far beyond the physical construction of a house, and each Pahlisch Homes community begins with our Community Planning Team led by Community Planning Director Ana Bozich. Ana leads a team focused on early community design, amenity concepts, preliminary engineering, and governmental affairs across all of our regions.
In Ana’s words, “Our work helps set the foundation for each community long before homes are built.” She adds, “A large part of my role, and something I take a lot of pride in, is building and maintaining relationships. From city staff and builder associations to consultants and internal teams, I spend much of my time coordinating with multiple stakeholders to move projects forward. The trust we’ve built across these relationships allows us to work more effectively and truly creates lasting partnerships throughout our projects.”
Working With Numbers
While community planning is the foundation of each of our communities, the day-to-day running of the business requires people who understand the numbers, manage costs, and handle financial reporting. Accounting Director Katie Crawford is that person for Pahlisch Homes. Katie and her team oversee everything from accounts payable to joint venture finances and tax returns. She was drawn to construction largely because of the strong reputation Pahlisch Homes has in the Central Oregon community.
When asked about taking on a career in construction, Katie says, “One thing that surprised me about the industry is the level of pride people take in their work. Both in the field and in the office, people are incredibly proud of what they are building and contributing to. That sense of ownership and passion is contagious, and it’s been really rewarding to witness and be a part of.”
As far as her advice to other women looking to get involved in construction is concerned, Katie has a few thoughts. “Confidence doesn’t come from having all the answers; it comes from being willing to learn, make mistakes, and grow through them,” she says. “Especially early in your career, it’s important to give yourself grace and trust that experience will build over time.”
Adaptable Design
Of course, no building project is complete without someone to guide the design process. Designer Taylor Higley was drawn to the construction industry because of the ample opportunities to design tangible, creative things. In her words, “I liked the idea that design decisions wouldn’t just live on a screen or on my Pinterest board but would turn into physical spaces that people use every day.”
As far as her specific role in designing and building homes, she says, “I guide buyers through the design process, helping them translate their lifestyle and vision into a home that feels truly personal. I partner closely with buyers from the start, listening to how they live, what they’re drawn to, and what matters most to them.”
When thinking about advice for other designers interested in a career in construction, Taylor adds, “I found that the industry values adaptable designers — people who can balance vision with flexibility and respond quickly to constraints without losing design intent. That shift helped me grow more confident in making informed design decisions that work both aesthetically and practically.”
It’s Time to Build
Once the planning and design is in place, the physical building process unfolds with the help of Purchasing Coordinator Kelsey Phipps. Kelsey’s role sits at the intersection between people, process, and problem-solving. Her day-to-day work is a blend of coordination, communication, and keeping things moving forward smoothly. In Kelsey’s words, “I work on budgets, process purchase orders, manage change orders, and collaborate with multiple departments to help navigate issues as they arise. No two days ever look exactly the same, which is something I genuinely enjoy.”
When asked what attracted her to the construction industry, Kelsey offers, “It’s fast-paced, relational, operational, and tangible. I get to be a part of building something real, and that’s been incredibly rewarding.” She adds, “What really drew me in, specifically to Pahlisch Homes, was the opportunity to be part of a team that partners to create homes and communities. We’re not just building structures; we create places where people build their lives, raise kids, host friends, and make memories.”
Marketing the Future
As in most industries, the home-building process wouldn’t be complete without a sales and marketing team. Throughout her 14 years at Pahlisch Homes, Brandy Fortney has worn a variety of sales and marketing hats.
“I connect with buyers, support our sales team, collaborate with different departments, and represent Pahlisch in the Tri-Cities community, which is especially meaningful since I grew up here,” Brandy says. “No two days look the same, and that’s one of my favorite parts of the job.”
When asked how she got involved in the construction industry, Brandy has a two-part answer. “Honestly, I didn’t grow up thinking, ‘I’m going to work in construction!’ I was drawn to Pahlisch because of who they are and how they show up in the community. Growing up in the Tri-Cities, I watched them build beautiful neighborhoods and give back in meaningful ways. That mattered to me,” she says. “From the outside, construction can seem very technical and transactional. But it’s so personal. Every home represents someone’s future, holidays, babies, celebrations, quiet moments. You’re not just building a house; you’re helping create the backdrop of someone’s life.”
Leadership, Dedication, Teamwork
Pahlisch Homes is a collection of detail-oriented thinkers, relationship builders, dreamers, strong communicators, and problem solvers, many of whom are women. Together, these women and their teams remind us that what we build is much larger than lumber, concrete, and balanced spreadsheets. It’s trust and community built with city partners, collaboration across departments, creativity translated into functional living spaces, and relationships formed long before and long after the front door keys are handed over.
In celebrating Women in Construction Week, we honor not only the leadership and dedication of these women but also the spirit of teamwork that defines our company and the bigger picture of what we build together: places where people find their people, discover their place, and feel at home.
