Empowering Women in Construction
Congratulations to Kaylee Knudsen and Julie Luu on being named two of Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women of Influence: Construction and Design! Swinerton is extremely proud of their contributions to our firm, not just as women, but as two of the most dedicated individuals in the construction industry as a whole. As women comprise only 10% of the industry workforce, Swinerton wholeheartedly supports Kaylee and Julie’s goal to inspire women to bridge the gap and empower them to join the industry.
Kaylee Knudsen – Assistant Superintendent
Upon graduating from the USC with a degree in Civil Engineering, Kaylee Knudsen started her career in construction as a project engineer at Swinerton. Over the last six years with the firm, she has worked on many logistically challenging projects with aggressive schedules. These projects have been performed for notable clients in the greater Los Angeles area, including Disney, Apple, NBC Universal, and NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She has expertise in a wide range of construction types, including high-end tenant improvements; office building renovations; historical renovations; ground-up high-rise buildings; and seismic upgrades and building retrofits. Kaylee is currently finishing a two-year long phased renovation project at Union Bank Plaza along South Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles. It consists of major interior and exterior renovations for the high-rise office building, including the lobby; office space; two levels of retail and restaurant space; the standalone conference center; and the historical outdoor plaza.
Julie Luu – Apprentice
Julie entered the construction industry in 2018 and immediately fell in love with it. She quickly discovered the vast amount of networking and leadership opportunities it offered. She was inspired and
excited by the energy and healthy competition amongst the foremen, journeymen, and apprentices she worked with. They were all hungry to learn and grow—and so was she. Luu enjoys the intellect, skills, and
teamwork needed to complete a project successfully. She aspires to set new trends in the industry as a craftsman and carpenter, all while developing her leadership and mentorship capabilities. She is also proud
of her ability to advance her layout skills over the past year while studying at the Union Carpenters Training Facility. One of the most exciting highlights in Luu’s career came during construction at the California Hospital project in Downtown L.A., which is scheduled for completion this year.
