Primera Foundation’s Third Annual Forward Focused Event Sets Fundraising Record

June 26, 2026

On June 23rd the Primera Foundation welcomed industry professionals, partners, and community leaders to its third annual Forward Focused fundraiser.

Held in recognition of International Women in Engineering Day, this year’s event embraced the theme “Reach. Rise. Represent.”, a call to elevate voices and strengthen representation for women and underrepresented groups in STEM.

The evening began with a lively networking reception where guests across various industries connected over the shared support of STEM education and careers. The reception was followed by an engaging panel discussion, moderated by Erin Inman, President & CEO of Primera Engineers and President of the Primera Foundation, featuring leaders within the local transportation space. Distinguished panelists included Anne Bigane-Wilson, President of Bigane Paving Company; Beth McCluskey, Chicago Metro Lead at TYLin; Craig Turner, First Deputy Commissioner at Chicago Department of Transportation; John Trotta, Senior Vice President, Midwest Region Executive at WSP; and Libby Braband, Owner & President of LDB Consulting, LLC.

The thoughtful input from this year’s panelists created an inspirational conversation regarding the role of women in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry and how to support them. As suggested by Libby Braband, “it’s our job as advocates to create a leadership pipeline rather than enforcing the leadership lottery that exists today.” Through scholarship opportunity and community engagement, the Primera Foundation aims to do just that – instill a passion for STEM among students and provide them with the skills, resources, and confidence to become great industry leaders.

The Primera Foundation launched a special campaign during the event, hoping to raise $5,000 to fund an additional scholarship in memory of lifelong Primera Engineers employee, Michael E. Belczak. Thanks to the incredible generosity of this year’s attendees, the campaign goal was more than doubled, raising a total of $10,601 in scholarship funds. When combined with the initial contributions of our sponsors, donors, and ticket holders, the Primera Foundation raised nearly $84,000 from Forward Focused: Reach. Rise. Represent, shattering the fundraising records set from previous events.

Forward Focused continues to celebrate the existing mentorship, support, and advocacy within the AEC industry, as well as the talented students who will make up the industry’s next generation. We are sincerely grateful to our sponsors, donors, volunteers and supporters who make this event, and our mission, possible.

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