MILPITAS, Calif., July 6, 2021 – Kelley Cowan, a 25+ year construction industry veteran and director of XL Construction’s Sacramento Region, has received ‘Women of Influence’ honors from the Sacramento Chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW).
CREW Sacramento's Women of Influence Awards recognize outstanding women in the commercial real estate industry. Cowan received the award at a ceremony held at the Hillenbrand Farmhaus Brewery in Sacramento on June 17.
In January, XL Construction promoted Cowan to her current position. She oversees the Sacramento region’s project teams and is responsible for ensuring clients’ expectations are being met and that XL employees are able to deliver projects safely, on budget and on time.
“Kelley has proven herself to be an invaluable member of our team since her start with XL over a decade ago,” said Richard Walker, president, XL Construction. “Her CREW Women of Influence Award is a testament to her experience, tenacity, mentorship and impact she has had in an industry that is playing catch-up in gender equality. We’re proud of her career accomplishments and look forward to her continuing contributions to our organization and the entire construction industry.”
“As a Sacramento native, I want to do my best to give back to the community that has afforded me so many opportunities throughout my career—and this recognition from my peers means a great deal to me,” said Cowan. “At XL Construction, I’m fortunate to be working with a team who is as equally passionate as I am for building more thoughtful and sustainable projects throughout the region while helping to advance our industry and the people and business we impact.”
Cowan joined XL Construction in 2010 as a preconstruction manager, focusing on projects in the education sector. Since then, her roster of work has ranged from advanced technology to commercial to education. Notable projects include the Bayer CropScience Biologics and Vegetable Seeds facility, UC Davis Health Midtown Clinic and new facilities for the Natomas Unified School District K-8 School Conversions.
As an active member of the Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange (SRBX), Cowan annually visits California’s capitol building in March to participate in the proclamation of Women in Construction Week. She has also given keynote addresses and taken part in panel discussions during the SRBX Women in Construction Fall Conference, American Institute of Architects (AIA) Central Valley Empowering Conference, ENR’s Groundbreaking Women in Construction Conference and the Women in Construction Summit.
She is a 17-year member and past president of the Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange, the construction industry’s oldest and largest association in the region and is a founding member of the association’s non-profit education division and started a mentor program that has since grown to 100 affiliates.
Cowan graduated from University of California, Los Angeles with a bachelor of science in civil engineering. She is also a graduate of the CASH School Facilities Leadership Academy, an educational program designed to develop current and future leaders in the school facilities and maintenance market. In her free time, Cowan likes to venture outside her home in East Sacramento to travel, snow ski and take spin classes. She is also a self-proclaimed “pandemic chef,” as she has learned how to cook during the lockdown.
About XL Construction
XL Construction is a leading general contractor whose mission is to “build to improve lives.” XL partners with today’s leaders in life sciences, advanced technology, corporate office, civic, healthcare and education to create places that make its communities better. The company’s focus and passion for team success has earned it a network of great partners and a reputation for putting people first. XL Construction is consistently ranked among the top general contractors in Northern California. In 2020, the company was named ENR California’s Top General Contractor of 2020 and the #1 Best Place to Work in the Bay Area.
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