We recently celebrated Hill & Wilkinson’s Director of Project Controls, Kristen Ortiz, being named the 2026 Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Woman Professional of the Year, one of the industry’s highest honors recognizing exceptional leadership, professional achievement, and advocacy for women in construction.
The award celebrates Ortiz’s significant contributions to advancing project controls, driving operational excellence, mentoring future leaders, and championing women throughout the construction industry.
“Kristen embodies the leadership, innovation and commitment to people that define us,” said Matt Sisco, Chief Operating Officer. “She has an exceptional talent for seeing the big picture, developing a thoughtful plan to achieve it and leading teams through execution. There couldn’t be a more deserving recipient of this recognition.”
As Director of Project Controls, Ortiz is a driving force behind many operational initiatives. She led the implementation of a companywide project controls program, standardized processes across project teams, and spearheaded the rollout of ProjectSight, Hill & Wilkinson’s field operations software platform. Her leadership has strengthened document control, cost management and quality assurance while preparing for the next generation of AI-enabled project delivery.
Recognizing the importance of consistency across a growing organization, Ortiz declared “Consistency” the theme for 2026, leading a comprehensive effort to standardize project workflows while training employees across every operational team.
“Her position is key to operations controls, training our project managers and project engineers, and promoting new technologies in literally all areas of our company,” said Executive Vice President Steve Camp. “We couldn’t have a better leader in this position.”
Ortiz’s impact extends beyond operational excellence. She is a passionate advocate for women in construction and founded Hill & Wilkinson’s internal Women Breaking Ground initiative, which provides mentorship, professional development, and a supportive community for women across the company. Through the program, she has helped cultivate future leaders while fostering a culture where women are encouraged to grow, lead, and succeed.
Her leadership extends beyond Hill & Wilkinson to regional and national organizations shaping the future of the industry, including serving on the board of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), helping establish the Dallas chapter of the Association of Professional Women in Construction (APWC), participating in TEXO’s Women’s Executive Leadership Program and supporting organizations including TREC, TEXO, DRC, CREW and AIA. She is also an active speaker on project controls and leadership, encouraging more professionals to pursue leadership opportunities within the industry.
“Over the years I have known Kristen Ortiz, she has been a steadfast and authentic advocate for women in the construction industry,” said Terri Gaber, Vice President of Training & Development at TEXO. “Her commitment to advancing women is not situational or symbolic- it is consistent, intentional, and action-driven.”
Clients and project partners have also recognized Ortiz for her professionalism, collaborative leadership, and commitment to excellence. During Hill & Wilkinson’s multi-phased Campus Master Plan project for Ursuline Academy, Ortiz played a critical role in aligning project controls with the client’s vision while fostering strong collaboration among the project team.
“Kristen embraced and embodied the design excellence and meticulous execution we value,” said Briar Glenn of Glenn Partners. “She consistently reinforced that collaboration and shared accountability yield the strongest results.”
Whether leading transformative operational initiatives, mentoring colleagues or advancing opportunities for women across the industry, Ortiz continues to shape the future of construction through leadership rooted in excellence, collaboration, and service.
Congratulations to Kristen Ortiz on this well-deserved recognition and the lasting impact she continues to make on our company, clients, and industry.