Alliant 2026 Women in Construction Honoree:
Danette Beck
Danette Beck, Executive Vice President, National Director of Broker Operations, builds high-performing, efficient teams that translate complex risks into forward-thinking solutions.
“Some people say they fell into the insurance industry. I did not. I knew at the age of 18 this was what I wanted to do. What I did fall into was the opportunity within construction.”
Meet Danette
Danette got her start in the insurance industry as an undergraduate student, studying risk management and insurance at the University of Georgia. Upon graduation, she moved cross-country to Los Angeles, a move that would shape the next 25 years of her life, to kickstart an illustrious career that began with handling two regional contractors based in California.
Danette viewed this life change as an opportunity to build a professional network and develop technical skills, which mapped the path to significant leadership opportunities across the premier insurance brokerage and construction risk management firms.
“I was the first female in a national construction practice leader role for a major brokerage firm.”
Danette's Path to Construction Risk
The Power of Mentorship
“My mentors left me a ladder to climb in this industry. I want to keep the ladder down so I can continue the legacy of elevating others.”
One of Danette’s greatest passions is supporting young women in navigating the construction industry with confidence. While she is proud of the many construction projects she has brought to fruition, she considers her greatest accomplishment to be the number of young women she has mentored and helped step into leadership roles.
She believes this sets off a chain reaction; more female executives in construction gives the next generation concrete examples that leadership roles are accessible to them, creating a viable pathway for even more women to lead and build the future of the construction industry.
Different Perspectives are Fundamental to Problem-Solving
“Women are critical to the construction industry because they bring a different perspective, and I am a firm believer that different perspectives deliver a better outcome.”
For Danette, every single construction project—from building a new school in an underserved area to developing critical infrastructure to address a housing shortage—boils down to solving a problem. In her experience, problem-solving is better accomplished with women present at the table.
The construction industry is facing a critical labor shortage, resulting in project delays and increased costs. Danette believes the answer to this challenge lies in encouraging more women to enter the trades. According to Danette, the strongest teams in construction are the most diverse, and diversity drives successful outcomes.
Three Lessons from Danette's Construction Career
"Professional and personal growth stems from pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone."
Looking Ahead
Women in Construction Week recognizes leaders like Danette Beck who are shaping the future of the industry through expertise, mentorship and a commitment to progress.
Her journey reflects what makes construction meaningful: continuous learning, real-world impact and the opportunity to build something that lasts.
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