High-Profile: Women In. Construction 2026 | Page 22

22 Women in Construction
March 2026

ASM: A Legacy of Championing Women in Construction

Submitted by Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts
Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts( ASM) is proud to stand with women in construction— not just today, but throughout our 75-year history. While conversations about inclusion in the industry may feel new, our story shows that women have always been part of ASM’ s foundation, leadership, and future.
MEMBERS OF ASM’ S BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
( l-r) Leslie Carrio, DePaoli Mosaic Company; Jacquelyn Magill, EDM Construction, Inc.; Aideen Doneski, Gleeson Powers, Inc. Laura Cannistraro, J. C. Cannistraro, LLC; Charran Fisher, Fisher Contracting Corporation; Ellen Young, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services
ASM was founded in 1950 by Joe and Sally Corwin, a husband-and-wife legal team from Corwin & Corwin. Joe’ s name is often the one most closely associated with ASM’ s early history, but as we explored our story more deeply during our 75th anniversary year, we gained a fuller appreciation for how instrumental Sally was to the association’ s creation and mission. Sally was a construction
law attorney in 1950, which was unique in itself. If women were attorneys at all, they were typically limited to family law. Sally broke that mold. She was known as a passionate advocate for subcontractors, a force in her profession, and a woman who helped shape the values ASM still holds today. Learning more about her legacy has been one of the most meaningful parts of revisiting our history.
That commitment continued decades later. In 1996, when ASM hired its first paid executive director, the association selected Monica Lawton, a professional association manager who went on to serve in that role for 21 years. Under her leadership, ASM played a key role
in advancing major legislative wins on Beacon Hill, including public construction reform, prompt pay, unemployment insurance reform, and retainage reform. For more than two decades, a woman led ASM through some of the association’ s most impactful years.
Leadership by women at ASM has never been an exception— it’ s been part of the norm. ASM has had three women serve as president, and today six of the 19 members of our board of directors are women. Our most recent past president, Leslie Carrio, has shared that in many industry organizations, she’ s been the only woman or the first. At ASM, that has never been the case.
What makes ASM special is that our support of women in construction has been organic, consistent, and longstanding. It’ s expected. It’ s part of who we are, and it’ s something we are committed to growing. As an association, we believe that a stronger, more inclusive construction industry benefits everyone— and we’ re proud to have been proving that for 75 years.
What makes ASM special is that our
support of women in construction has been
organic, consistent, and long-standing.

We Salute

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

LET

’ S GET REAL
REAL WOMEN. REAL ROLES. REAL RESULTS.
All March long, we’ re spotlighting our powerhouse women and their bold Drop the Mic moments. This is what real impact looks like.
We strive to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the field, and to emphasize the growing role of women in our industry.
ASM is the state’ s leading association for specialty contractors. Since 1950 we have represented companies of all trades, large and small, union and open shop, who work on major building projects across the commonwealth, in both the public and private sector.
Join the movement as we turn the volume up on Women in Construction. Watch. Share. Celebrate.
Make sure to Follow us:
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Follow along and share your own Drop the Mic moment.
Visit www. associatedsubs. com to join. southcoastimprovement. com www. high-profile. com