Women in Construction Week Spotlight: Jennifer Dunigan, Managing Principal at Halyard
March 5th, 2026
For Jennifer Dunigan, Managing Principal at Halyard LLC, Women in Construction Week is both a reflection and a celebration of progress.
“I started my career on construction sites,” she says. “Back then, most women on jobsites were in administrative roles—answering phones, pushing paperwork. Today, that’s changing. Women are leading projects, managing facilities, driving strategy. It’s getting better.”
Jennifer’s career path has taken her from construction sites to pharmaceutical facilities and large-scale building operations where she oversaw maintenance and operations for 180 buildings. Over 25 years in facilities management, she developed expertise in operational efficiency, preventive maintenance, and cross-functional collaboration—experience that now shapes her leadership at Halyard.
At Halyard, a WBENC-certified Women’s Business Enterprise, Jennifer plays a pivotal role behind the scenes—overseeing billing, HR, marketing, and internal operations while helping guide the company’s strategic growth. A self-described “organizational geek,” she believes strong communication and team cohesion are just as critical as technical expertise.
“Just because you’re not the one turning the wrench doesn’t mean you’re not essential to the team,” she says. “Construction takes many perspectives—organizational skills, communication, the ability to bring people together. That’s leadership.”
Throughout her career, Jennifer has faced assumptions, often being mistaken for the administrator in the room. Her advice to young women entering the industry is clear:
“Stand up for yourself. Be firm. Go after the raises and the titles. Don’t be afraid to walk into a room full of guys and own your seat at the table.”
She credits early mentors who gave her opportunities beyond paperwork—inviting her into meetings, encouraging her to shadow facilities work, and helping her understand the bigger operational picture. That exposure shaped her confidence and broadened her career trajectory.
Now, as Halyard celebrates ten years in business, Jennifer is energized by what’s ahead.
“We’ve grown so much in the last decade,” she reflects. “Now we have the chance to ask—what do the next ten years look like? How do we grow, diversify, and evolve? Being part of that conversation is exciting.”
For Jennifer, Women in Construction Week is about recognizing how far the industry has come—and continuing to push forward. At Halyard, that forward momentum is built on expertise, communication, and a commitment to ensuring every voice at the table matters.
