We’re honored to have celebrated this inspiring day with you as we recognized the outstanding women and advocates shaping the A/E/C industry. Explore event highlights, award recipient stories, and moments captured from the celebration below.
Simply Home
Ashley Wainscott
From a small home prep company to a leading renovation firm, Simply Home has become a model for how to grow while supporting women in every stage of life. Under Ashley’s leadership, Simply Home cultivates a culture rooted in empathy, transparency, and flexibility—redefining what it means to thrive in construction and design.
Chickenango Marketing Solutions
Jennifer McPherson
Specializing in outreach for major infrastructure projects, Jennifer and her team turn public engagement into powerful strategy. Chickenango goes beyond the basics—building trust between communities and construction projects with authenticity and insight.
Mechanical Materials, LLC
Jackie Herrera
An emerging leader in the vertical transportation sector, Jackie Herrera is tackling critical industry challenges head-on. Her company is focused on scaling with integrity and solving real workforce and training gaps in the elevator and escalator industry.
Amy Hinojosa Rico
Texas AirSystems
Amy plays a pivotal role in ensuring financial operations run smoothly while fostering a team-focused, approachable leadership style. Her dedication to communication and collaboration is felt throughout her organization.
Belinda Leah Graham
Balfour Beatty US
A 27-year industry veteran, Belinda’s track record speaks for itself. Her recent leadership on a major design-build project brought early delivery and increased profitability—a true example of strategic leadership and operational excellence.
Inez Ysabel Escamilla
Loose Cannon Industries, LLC
A bold entrepreneur and fabricator, Inez built her business from the ground up. Loose Cannon Industries is now a trusted subcontractor across Central Texas, and Inez’s story is a powerful example of grit, resilience, and success in the trades.
Dinita Caldwell
Austin ISD
Dinita’s transformation of the Austin ISD HUB Program into the Economic Opportunity Office has elevated women in A/E/C through education, inclusion programming, and student outreach. Her leadership has made space for the next generation of changemakers.
Yolanda C. Strey
Texas Facilities Commission
With a legacy of mentorship and advocacy, Yolanda has built a career championing small, minority, and women-owned businesses in state procurement. Her hands-on guidance and educational leadership have opened doors for countless entrepreneurs in Texas.
Smith & Associates
Regina Adams
Service Firm of the Year
Melanie Allison
Simply Home
Outstanding Administrative Professional of the Year
Gisela Andreu
GGE Design and Consulting LLC
A/E/C Firm of the Year
A/E/C Woman of the Year
Patricia Bourenane
City of Austin – Small and Minority Business Resource Department
Outstanding Administrative Professional of the Year
Bhavna Biyani
Flintco
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Eddie Bynog
City of Austin – Small and Minority Business
Business Advocate of the Year
Jasmine Cabello-Correa
Construction Management – Austin ISD
Outstanding Administrative Professional of the Year
Kristine Cantwell
Simply Home
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Maryann Casas
Simply Home
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Jolene Cochran
City of Austin – Small and Minority Business Resources Department
Business Advocate of the Year
Outstanding Administrative Professional of the Year
Alexis Contreras
CORE Construction
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Restructure Studio
Carina Coel
A/E/C Firm of the Year
Cornerstone Welding
Maria Patricia Correa
A/E/C Firm of the Year
Connie Cude
Structure Tone Southwest
Outstanding Administrative Professional of the Year
Larissa Davila
Economic Growth Business Incubator
Business Advocate of the Year
Dolores Davis
CG&S Design Build
A/E/C Woman of the Year
Guadalupe Construction
Dalia Diaz
A/E/C Firm of the Year
Seven-S Contractor Services LLC
Nancy Dominguez
Rising Star A/E/C Firm of the Year
Division Distribution
Erika Dumas
Service Firm of the Year
Maudie Edwards
CG&S Design Build
Business Advocate of the Year
Inez Escamilla
Loose Cannon Industries, LLC
A/E/C Woman of the Year
Claudia Esparza
Castillo Drywall LLC
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Jordyn Garcia Studio
Jordyn Garcia
Rising Star A/E/C Firm of the Year
Belinda Graham
Balfour Beatty
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Sara Hernandez
Evita Cabinets LLC
A/E/C Woman of the Year
Service Firm of the Year
Mechanical Materials, LLC
Jackie Herrera
Rising Star A/E/C Firm of the Year
Tatiana Hiri
MEMCO
Outstanding Administrative Professional of the Year
Design Capital Holdings LLC
Maritza Jimenez
Rising Star A/E/C Firm of the Year
Lisa Kang Interiors, LLC
Lisa Kang
A/E/C Firm of the Year
Tania Laird
DeWalt
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Lauren Lehman
CORE Construction
Outstanding Administrative Professional of the Year
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Coxist Studio
Megan Lin
Service Firm of the Year
Freestyle Languages
Elizabeth Mack
Service Firm of the Year
More Space Place
Joanna McDonald
Service Firm of the Year
Jaime Miller
Austin Independent School District
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Judy Moreno
Rodriguez Transportation Group, Inc.
Outstanding Administrative Professional of the Year
Jennifer Muething
Turner Construction
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Maura Navarro
Simply Home
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Sarah Norman
CORE Construction
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Business Advocate of the Year
Baird Foundation Repair
Jade Owens
A/E/C Firm of the Year
Generations HVAC
Nicky Pessin
A/E/C Firm of the Year
Amy Rico
Texas AirSystems
Outstanding Administrative Professional of the Year
Yola Risser
Simply Home
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Kaci Roberts
Braun & Butler Construction, Inc.
A/E/C Woman of the Year
Paula Diana Robles
Procedeo Group
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Laura Rugh
Simply Home
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Tamela Saldana
City of Austin – Small and Minority Business Resources Department
A/E/C Woman of the Year
Business Advocate of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
Felecia Shaw
City of Austin – Small and Minority Business Resources Department
A/E/C Woman of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
Business Advocate of the Year
Christine Sheng
Rogers O’Brien Construction
A/E/C Woman of the Year
Yolanda Strey
Texas Facilities Commission
Lifetime Achievement Award
Business Advocate of the Year
Chickenango Marketing Solutions
Jennifer McPherson
Service Firm of the Year
Business Advocate of the Year
Tejas Destructors, LLC
Kelsey Stone
A/E/C Firm of the Year
Alchemy Cabinets
Sarah Sullivan
A/E/C Firm of the Year
Cheryl Taylor
Texas Facilities Commission
Lifetime Achievement Award Outstanding Professional of the Year
Amy Teykl
ATX Construction Clean
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Liquid Waste
Sammie Tritico
Service Firm of the Year
Raeann Valles
CORE Construction
Outstanding Administrative Professional of the Year
Ashley Wainscott
Simply Home
A/E/C Woman of the Year
A/E/C Firm of the Year
Lucent Electrical Services
Liz Wilcocks
A/E/C Firm of the Year
Charity Wischmeyer
Rosendin Electric
Outstanding Professional of the Year
Point B
Maggie Wylie
Service Firm of the Year
To view the full criteria for each of the categories click on the category to see the details.
For any questions regarding the nomination process, please contact:
Yolanda Tafoya:
972-365-9758
Ernesto Uranga:
214-919-5384
Main office:
972-786-0909
Winners of the Luna Awards are selected using Award Force, an award-winning cloud-based software designed to manage nominations, submissions, and judging processes online. Known for its speed, security, and user-friendly design, Award Force ensures a seamless experience for entrants, judges, and program managers by automating workflows and maintaining strict confidentiality throughout the process.
To preserve the element of surprise and ensure impartiality, all judges, nominees, and involved parties remain unaware of the total scores and the identities of the winners until they are revealed during the Luna Awards Luncheon in the host city.
Honors a leading woman-owned firm in architecture, engineering, or construction that exemplifies innovation, growth, and industry leadership. This company has taken bold risks, set new trends, and made a lasting impact in the A/E/C sector.
Eligibility Criteria:
Operates within the A/E/C industry (Architecture, Engineering, or Construction).
At least 51% woman-owned and controlled.
Under current ownership for a minimum of 5 years.
The Nominee must be based or operate in the award region: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Rio Grande Valley/South Central, or San Antonio.
Honors a woman-owned business that provides essential services or products to A/E/C firms. These businesses play a vital role in supporting the industry through consulting, workforce solutions, printing, specialty products, equipment, training, and more.
Eligibility Criteria:
A non-A/E/C business supporting the A/E/C industry.
At least 51% woman-owned and controlled.
Eligible industries include accounting, consulting, legal, marketing, HR services, printing, signage, janitorial, and specialty supplies.
The Nominee must be based or operate in the award region: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Rio Grande Valley/South Central, or San Antonio.
Recognizes an emerging woman-owned A/E/C firm that is breaking new ground with innovation, bold leadership, and strong potential for future growth.
Eligibility Criteria:
Operates within the A/E/C industry.
At least 51% woman-owned and controlled.
Under current ownership for less than 5 years.
The Nominee must be based or operate in the award region: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Rio Grande Valley/South Central, or San Antonio.
Recognizes a dedicated administrative professional whose behind-the-scenes contributions strengthen and support an A/E/C firm’s success. This award honors individuals in office management, accounting, executive support, marketing, IT, and related fields.
Eligibility Criteria:
At least 3 years of experience in the A/E/C industry.
Employed in an administrative role such as Office Manager, Accountant, Executive Assistant, Business Development, Marketing, IT Support, etc.
The Nominee must be based or operate in the award region: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Rio Grande Valley/South Central, or San Antonio.
Recognizes a standout professional in A/E/C who plays a pivotal role in project execution, leadership, and innovation. Honorees include Superintendents, Engineers, Architects, Project Managers, Schedulers, Estimators, and Maintenance Supervisors who ensure successful project delivery.
Eligibility Criteria:
Employed in a professional A/E/C role (Director, Architect, Engineer, Project Manager, Scheduler, Estimator, Maintenance Supervisor, Office Manager, etc.).
The Nominee must be based or operate in the award region: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Rio Grande Valley/South Central, or San Antonio.
Celebrates an exceptional woman who has significantly contributed to the architecture, engineering, or construction industry. A visionary leader, she drives business success, fosters teamwork, and shapes the industry’s future.
Eligibility Criteria:
At least 5 years of experience in the A/E/C industry.
Plays a key leadership role in company growth and team success.
Holds a senior executive position (CEO, CFO, COO, President, VP).
The Nominee must be based or operate in the award region: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Rio Grande Valley/South Central, or San Antonio.
Honors an individual or company dedicated to advancing and empowering women in A/E/C. This award recognizes champions who actively promote inclusion, create opportunities, and drive progress for women in construction, architecture, or engineering.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to both individuals (female or male)
The Nominee must be based or operate in the award region: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Rio Grande Valley/South Central, or San Antonio.
Pays tribute to a trailblazing woman with 20+ years of dedication and impact in the A/E/C industry. This award honors a career of leadership, contributions, and lasting influence.
Eligibility Criteria:
At least 20 years of experience in the A/E/C industry.
Has made significant contributions to the field.
The Nominee must be based or operate in the award region: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Rio Grande Valley/South Central, or San Antonio.
