How long have you been a NAWIC member?

10 years

What is your current job/role in the construction sector?

Senior Quantity Surveyor

Briefly describe your aspirations for this role and the initiatives or steps you would implement as President of NAWIC:

As NAWIC President, I’d focus on making real, practical changes that genuinely help women in construction while ensuring our members feel they’re getting real value for their membership. My priorities would be building stronger industry partnerships to open up more career opportunities, improving mentorship with better structure and support, and ensuring financial sustainability through smart sponsorships. With my industry experience and commercial insight, I want to make NAWIC a stronger, more influential voice that drives real progress for women at all levels in construction. 

What are you most passionate about in the construction sector, and how do you envision contributing value to NAWIC and its members?

I’m passionate about making construction more efficient, financially sustainable, and full of real career opportunities for women. As a Senior Quantity Surveyor, I see how smart commercial decisions shape both projects and careers. For NAWIC, I’d focus on practical, results-driven initiatives—stronger mentorship, more leadership pathways, and advocacy for real change in the industry. By leveraging my expertise in financial strategy and project management, I’d help drive structured, high-impact initiatives that support members at every level, ensuring NAWIC is a strong, influential voice for women in construction.

Nominator endorsement

Kirsty Hopewell is an outstanding leader dedicated to empowering women in construction. As Canterbury Chapter Chair, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, fostering a supportive and inclusive community. Her passion, integrity, and ability to inspire others make her a respected mentor and advocate for women at all career stages. Kirsty’s commitment to driving meaningful change and creating opportunities for growth ensures she is well-equipped to lead NAWIC into its next chapter. Her unwavering dedication, adaptability, and vision make her the ideal candidate for President Elect.

How long have you been a NAWIC member?

Approximately 2 years

What is your current job/role in the construction industry?

Senior Plumber, Gasfitter, DrainLayer

Previous Governance Experience: 

I am currently an Emerging Leader on the National Council for NAWIC since January 2024, this is my first governance role of any sort. I have learnt alot whilst being amongst the council members and apart of some meetings throughout the year, which has helped me broaden my experience on a business/organization level and gain a better understanding of what makes NAWIC, NAWIC. I feel I still have a lot to learn, but I also have alot to contribute as well. My responsibilities varied, and was not just 1 specific role or responsibility, it varied depending on meeting or event. 

Tell us in a few words why you would like to be part of the NAWIC National Council?

I would like to be part of the NAWIC NC, because I feel there is alot of knowledge and experience I can gain from the current NAWIC council members, with this knowledge and experience, it can help me further my career with networking and navigating my role as a female tradie and how i can help other lady tradies feel secure and supported in their chosen trades. I also feel that the Council would benefit from having a Female Tradie Role model who is currently on the tools, for upcoming or current NAWIC members.

What are you most passionate about in our industry and what value would you like to add to the existing NAWIC organisation and its members?

I'm most passionate about advocating for more women to enter the trades sector, not just as an office based role, more so on the tools, and helping those lady tradies on the tools feel more supported. My target audience is currently High school leavers, or students who are in secondary educational courses. I know there is still a huge amount of potential lady tradies in these spaces who aren't aware of a trade career, or that it is even an option for them. So I would like to advocate for more education around vocational education and training. I envision contributing value to NAWIC and its members just by currently being a Female Plumber,Gasfitter,Drainage,Roofer apprentice, with 8yrs experience in the industry. I think members who know and can see someone who is on the tools and at the forefront of the tradie lines, can bring the reality of what's happening on the front lines to the table, to the meetings and events and speak on others experiences, so that others out there know we are not alone, that we can be heard, that we can create our own platforms to be heard and that we have alot of support from alot of women in the construction industry.