Bernstein Shur’s annual Women in Construction and Project Development Event creates a rare opportunity for women to come together to build community and discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities.
Driven by the need to create a dedicated platform for women in construction and project development, Construction Shareholder and Practice Group Leader Asha Echeverria initiated this event over a decade ago. Today, it brings together more than 200 women annually to network and listen to influential female leaders deliver powerful presentations aligned with the event’s theme. Presentations are uniquely structured to allow for a storytelling format that fosters authenticity, creativity, and engagement. From career journeys and workforce growth to leadership success, we explore topics that not only impact our industries but also resonate deeply in our daily lives.
The event features time to connect and network with fellow attendees, presentations, a moderated panel discussion, and plenty of drinks and appetizers.
Click here to get notified when tickets are available.
Meet Our Speakers
Rebecca Hatfield
Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, Hancock Lumber
Rebecca Hatfield is the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Hancock Lumber, where she helps guide the company’s long-term strategic direction and growth initiatives. Previously, Rebecca served as President and CEO of Avesta Housing, leading the organization in building and providing affordable homes for thousands of people across Maine and New Hampshire. During her nine-year tenure at Avesta, she held multiple senior leadership roles overseeing real estate development, construction services, property management, and other core functions. Earlier in her career, Rebecca worked at Citigroup across private, commercial, and corporate banking.
Rebecca currently serves on the boards of Camden National Bank and the John T. Gorman Foundation. In addition to being named a Mainer of the Year by Maine Magazine in 2022 and a Woman to Watch by Mainebiz in 2021, Rebecca also received the MaineHousing Stephen B. Mooers Award in 2023. She holds an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and a BS in Computer and Information Science from the University of Maryland, G.C. Outside of work, Rebecca loves spending time with her family which includes her husband and vibrant 8-year-old daughter.
Cordelia Pitman
Vice President of Project Development, Wright-Ryan Construction, Inc.
With over 35 years of experience navigating the complexities of the design and construction arena, Cordelia Pitman has built a career focused on client centric design and construction, while grounding the process in the opportunities of budget and constructability. Cordelia aspired to become an Astrophysicist at Middlebury College and then worked on Wall Street for a few years before getting her Masters of Architecture at Columbia. Cordelia has worked in Architecture firms in New York and Portland, leading projects ranging from new construction housing projects to historic rehabilitation of the Harlow Pavilion to create office space for the State of Maine. In Portland served on an led the Historic Preservation Board. Leading the Commercial Preconstruction Department Cordelia has been able to bring outside the box solutions to challenging projects, incorporating the valuable construction and scheduling experience of the Wright-Ryan team, while driving projects to remain in Owner’s budgets.
Cordelia is the most proud of projects that are born of true team collaboration, like Katahdin Woods and Waters, where everyone learns from and gains respect for their teammates, and comes away with a great story to share.
Jennifer Packard
President, Principal, PK Realty Management LLC
Jennifer “Jen” Packard brings a global perspective shaped by a career spent navigating unfamiliar terrain. Raised between the United States and Northern Ireland, she spent much of her professional life overseas, including 25 years in Germany, 10 as a consultant to BMW AG, followed by a decade managing a wine estate in South Africa.
In 2014, Jen co-founded Alodyne LLC, where she continues to serve on the board, advancing sustainable energy services. She is also President and co-founder of PK Realty Management LLC, leading a diverse real estate portfolio in the Greater Portland area. Her work is guided by future‑oriented technology, long-term stewardship, and reflects an appreciation for growth that emerges through challenge and transition, often before clarity arrives.
Meet Our Moderator
Mary Costigan
Municipal and Land Use Shareholder, Bernstein Shur
Mary E. Costigan is a seasoned municipal and environmental law attorney with extensive experience in land use permitting, zoning compliance, and representing clients before local and state boards.
We align with the definition of women and female that explicitly includes not only cis women, but also trans women and femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer and non-binary individuals.