WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
It all started when...
Our focus is to highlight Women In Construction, Power UP Inc. recognizes the success and diversity of the female workforce within the construction industry. Learn how these women, along with young students, continue to improve the diversity and status in the construction industry.
Amber Kinney | Vice President Human Resources & Equal Opportunity Officer
Dunn Construction
Amber Kinney is a dedicated leader, Human Resources executive, and passionate advocate for women in construction. A believer, wife, and mother, Amber brings both purpose and professionalism to every aspect of her life and career. For more than 19 years, she has devoted herself to helping individuals and organizations reach their highest potential. Her passion is simple yet powerful: to grow people. Through a servant leadership approach, she strives to create meaningful employee experiences that empower others to see and pursue the best versions of themselves.
Amber currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity Officer for Dunn Companies, where she plays a strategic role in shaping culture, talent development, compliance, and organizational excellence. She holds the distinction of being the first female Vice President in the company’s fifth-generation, family-owned history — an achievement that reflects both her perseverance and performance.
Her professional journey is one defined by determination. Originally from Pennsylvania, Amber relocated to Alabama and built her career in a traditionally male-dominated industry without the advantage of local networks or established connections. She earned her seat at the executive table through hard work, resilience, and an unwavering belief that growth happens when you stretch beyond your limits and refuse to give up.
Beyond her corporate role, Amber is deeply engaged in the construction and HR communities. She is active in ABC, AGC, ARBA, BSHRM, SHRM, NAPPA, and NAWIC, and serves on the Alabama State Board of Directors for ACRI/Go Build Alabama. Her leadership and impact have been recognized with numerous honors, including AGC of Alabama’s inaugural 40 Under 40, Best of Birmingham’s Best HR Professional, NAWIC Southeast Region Member of the Year, and NAWIC Greater Birmingham Legacy Leader. While currently in consideration for OnConferences’ Top 100 HR Professionals in America, Amber remains most humbled by the opportunity to serve and lead.
Amber’s career is a testament to the belief that all things are possible through faith, grit, and a commitment to lifting others along the way.
Renita Smith | CEO
Reign Elite Construction Group, LLC
Renita Smith is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Reign Elite Construction Group, LLC, a commercial general contracting firm specializing in small-to-mid-size construction projects, preconstruction administration, and structured project management. With more than two decades of professional experience and a multidisciplinary educational foundation, Renita brings both technical depth and strategic leadership to the construction industry.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1999, followed by an MBA in Industrial Management in 2001. Expanding her expertise in sustainability and regulatory frameworks, she completed a Master of Science in Environmental Policy in 2012. In 2020, she obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, further strengthening her expertise in structured project delivery. Most recently, she earned a Master of Engineering in Construction Management in 2023, reinforcing her commitment to excellence in construction leadership and operations.
Throughout her career, Renita has led complex projects while implementing standardized processes that enhance coordination between architects, contractors, and trade partners. Her strengths include preconstruction planning, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and site leadership—ensuring projects are executed with discipline, transparency, and accountability.
Renita founded Reign Elite Construction Group to serve projects that require hands-on leadership and operational precision. As a woman in construction, she is passionate about expanding representation within the industry and mentoring the next generation of professionals. Through resilience, integrity, and strategic vision, she continues to build not only high-quality structures—but lasting impact.
Delivering significant value in pivotal roles has been the hallmark of Dr. Tanya Dugat Wickliff’s more than 34-year career which includes prominent leadership roles in the oil & gas, semiconductor, construction, and technology industries. She is passionate about Organizational Wellness and about driving organizational success through holistic approaches to training and workforce optimization.
She founded TANCOE, LLC, a consulting and project management company that has served the business community for over 27 years. Her clients range in size from startups to Fortune 500 Companies & municipalities. These clients span a wide range of industries, including construction, education (including higher education), entertainment, executive training/upskilling workforce, oil and gas, and technology. Through her construction consulting work, she provides training modules and programmatic start-up support for NCCER training/certification and upskilling for careers in construction, electrical, pipefitting, utility inspection, welding, and other trades.
Dr. Wickliff is passionate about giving others the tools they need for success. This passion led her to found FreshStart, a nationally recognized pre-college initiative program that encourages students to pursue careers in STEM. This program has served thousands of students since its inception. It also led her to found a construction services division of TANCOE, LLC. This division has trained, certified, upskilled, and provided earning opportunities for hundreds of people in careers in construction, including numerous adult learners and people seeking a second chance after incarceration.
Dr. Wickliff earned a PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering from Texas A&M University, an Executive MBA from the University of Texas-Dallas, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in mathematics from the University of Houston. In furtherance of her belief that education can be a key to success, Dr. Wickliff has been a Full Professor of Engineering Practice at Texas A&M University for over thirteen years and was the founding director of their Engineering Leadership Development Program.
Dr. Tanya Dugat Wickliff | Founder
TANCOE, LLC
Lindsey Duke | Engineering Project Manager Quanta Power Solutions
Lindsey Duke is an Engineering Project Manager at Quanta Power Solutions, bringing more than 15 years of experience across renewable energy development, energy performance contracting, power trading, and technical engineering leadership. Throughout her career, Lindsey has combined deep analytical expertise with hands‑on project execution, supporting complex energy, infrastructure, and utility‑scale renewable projects across the United States and internationally.
Before joining Quanta Power Solutions, Lindsey served as Senior Vice President and Vice President of Development at PATH Company, where she led greenfield solar development efforts, managed land‑portfolio assets, and supported the successful sale of a 200‑MW MISO solar project. Her earlier work includes roles with Siemens as a Senior Performance Assurance Engineer and extensive experience in wholesale energy markets, power modeling, and project optimization through positions with Cambridge Energy Solutions, BLLD, LLC, and Southern Power.
Lindsey began her career as an Energy Solutions Engineer with Johnson Controls, developing energy‑management and performance‑contracting projects for large government and commercial clients. She is a licensed Professional Engineer (Georgia) and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Alabama and an MBA from Kennesaw State University.
April Pearson | Financial Executive
Quanta Power Solutions
April Pearson is a seasoned financial executive with more than 25 years of experience driving strategic financial performance across manufacturing, distribution, construction, and nonprofit organizations. She brings deep expertise in financial leadership, ERP optimization, and building high‑performing teams in complex, fast‑moving environments.
April holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from The University of Alabama and an MBA from Mississippi State University. She is a 2023 Momentum Executive Leadership graduate and is actively involved in community service, currently serving as District Governor for Alabama Lions Clubs District 34‑B and as a board member for Camp Seale Harris.
Abbey Roy | President
Quanta Power Solutions
Abbey Roy brings over 20 years of experience in commercial development, corporate strategy, and project execution within the energy sector. In her current role as President of Quanta Power Solutions, Abbey leads efforts to deliver reliable power and infrastructure solutions to meet the unprecedented demand for electricity, enabling rapid growth and energy resilience in today’s evolving market. She also drives strategic initiatives and collaborates with operating companies to expand capabilities and support long-term growth.
Abbey’s career spans various leadership roles at Southern Company and KBR, where she focused on project execution, commercial structuring, and advancing new energy solutions. Her expertise spans traditional power generation, data centers, renewables, and advanced microgrids. She holds an Executive MBA and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from The University of Alabama and is recognized for her expertise in strategic planning, risk management, and fostering collaborative teams.
