During Women in Construction Week, BuildSteel recognizes women advancing cold-formed steel (CFS) framing across design, manufacturing, engineering and research. Their leadership strengthens projects, drives technical innovation and raises the bar for performance across the steel framing industry.

Established by the National Association of Women in Construction, Women in Construction Week highlights the vital role women play across the built environment. In that spirit, BuildSteel is featuring a group of professionals whose work reflects the expertise, discipline and forward thinking shaping steel framing today.

The women highlighted here represent a cross-section of the talent powering our industry. Of course, many more are leading teams, solving complex challenges and building the future of steel framing every day. For Women in Construction Week this year, BuildSteel salutes these standouts.

Kirsten Zeydel, S.E.

Director of Design, Nevell Group Inc.

Kirsten Zeydel, S.E., brings more than 22 years of structural engineering experience to CFS design. Zeydel specializes in CFS detailing, panelization and complex load-bearing systems. She has led the structural engineering for several companies, established an OSHPD-accepted QA/QC program and secured IAPMO product certification for framing members and sheathed panels. Zeydel has served on the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) Executive Committee.

Zeydel is an expert in seismic design for CFS systems. She analyzes how ASCE 7-22 reshapes seismic loads for non-structural CFS framing and connections. She also evaluates interior partition drift performance using FEMA P-58 fragility data to guide practical, cost-effective design decisions.

Her portfolio includes nine multi-story steel-framed dormitories totaling 800,000-square-feet. She also engineered CFS framing for a 550,000-square-foot California hospital. Zeydel will present a technical session at the 2026 CFSEI Expo.

Tammy Gleed, P.E.

General Manager, ClarkDietrich Engineering Services LLC (West Coast)

Tammy Gleed, P.E., serves as general manager of the West Coast office of ClarkDietrich Engineering Services, where she leads multidisciplinary teams delivering cold-formed steel engineering and shop drawing packages for complex commercial and multifamily projects. Her work spans curtainwall systems, load-bearing structures and panelized framing solutions, with a focus on precision, constructability and code compliance.

Gleed oversees engineering design, drafting, technical review and sealed calculations, ensuring projects meet performance requirements while maintaining efficient production workflows. With nearly two decades of CFS experience, she brings deep expertise in structural analysis, coordination with project stakeholders and problem-solving in high-demand environments.

Tara Hutchinson, P.E., Ph.D.

Professor, University of California, San Diego

Tara Hutchinson, P.E., Ph.D., is a professor at the University of California, San Diego, whose research advances the seismic performance of cold-formed steel building systems. She studies how structural components respond under earthquake loading and develops strategies that improve resilience, reduce damage and enhance life-safety performance in mid-rise construction.

Hutchinson led the landmark CFS-NHERI capstone project, known as CFS10, which tested a full-scale, 10-story CFS building under increasing multi-directional earthquake motions followed by live fire exposure at the NHERI LHPOST6 shake table facility. The program evaluated stick-framed, panelized and modular systems within a single structure and generated data influencing updates to ASCE 7, AISI S400 and related design guidance.

Her work has expanded understanding of CFS system behavior beyond current height limits and informs national standards development. Hutchinson serves on research boards and editorial committees and has published more than 140 peer-reviewed papers advancing structural engineering practice. She is a keynote presenter, on advancing CFS in mid-rise building systems in seismic zones, at 2026 CFSEI Expo. 

Kara Peterman, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Kara Peterman, Ph.D., is an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst whose research advances the stability, performance and sustainability of cold-formed steel structures. Her work focuses on structural stability, innovative connection behavior and resilient building systems, with an emphasis on translating research findings into practical design guidance.

Peterman is a past chair of the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) Executive Committee and remains active on its Education, Emerging Technologies and Expo Planning Committees. She also serves on the American Institute of Steel Construction Committee on Sustainability and as vice-chair of the Structural Stability Research Council, contributing to broader structural engineering initiatives. She has taken the lead in the NASCC: The Steel Conference’s cold-formed steel framing track.

A past chair of the CFSEI Executive Committee, Peterman remains active on CFSEI’s Education, Emerging Technologies and Expo Planning Committees. She also serves on the American Institute of Steel Construction Committee on Sustainability and as vice-chair of the Structural Stability Research Council. Peterman is also the lead for the cold-formed steel framing track at NASCC: The Steel Conference.

Her recent research includes a multi-year experimental program evaluating adhesives for steel-to-steel connections, establishing performance objectives for structural adhesive use in steel systems. At 2026 CFSEI Expo,  Peterman will present research on adhesives for steel-to-steel connections. Her four-year experimental program defines performance objectives for structural adhesives in steel systems.

Lori Page

Sales Manager, Frametek Steel 

Lori Page is the sales manager at Frametek Steel, a Southern California–based manufacturer of metal studs, tracks and framing components. In her role, Page leads sales strategy and customer engagement, connecting builders, distributors and specifiers with high-quality cold-formed steel product solutions. Her work emphasizes service, responsiveness and deep product knowledge — helping customers navigate framing options and supply needs while fostering strong relationships across the supply chain.

Page also serves on the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) Board of Directors, representing small manufacturers and contributing to industry-wide initiatives that support growth, collaboration and technical advancement in CFS framing. Her board leadership reflects a commitment to elevating manufacturing perspectives within the association’s strategic planning and outreach.

Hien Nguyen, M.S., P.E.

Associate Technical Manager, Simpson Strong-Tie

Hien Nguyen, M.S., P.E., is associate technical manager at Simpson Strong-Tie, where she brings more than 25 years of experience in structural connector design and product development. Her work spans cold-formed steel, wood and cross-laminated timber applications. She develops innovative, code-compliant connection solutions that improve structural performance and constructibility.

Nguyen has played a key role in advancing industry standards, leading efforts to incorporate curtain wall clip provisions into ICC-ES AC261 and contributing to multiple American Iron and Steel Institute test standards. Her technical leadership helps ensure that connection systems meet rigorous performance requirements while supporting cost-effective structural design.

At 2026 CFSEI Expo, Nguyen will present her research on integrating CLT with CFS systems, including testing programs addressing bearing capacity, curtainwall attachment and overall system behavior. Through product innovation, standards development and applied research, Nguyen continues to strengthen the technical integration of connection design within steel framing systems.

Megan Washnieski

Chief Operating Officer, South Valley Prefab

Megan Washnieski is Chief Operating Officer at South Valley Prefab in Centennial, Colorado, where she leads multidisciplinary teams delivering prefabricated building envelope systems. Washnieski has more than 25 years of experience in design, engineering and field operations. At South Valley, she oversees project development from concept through fabrication and installation, emphasizing coordination and constructibility.

Washnieski began her career in the wall and ceiling sector, building a strong foundation in cold-formed steel framing and exterior envelope systems. Over time, she developed a reputation for bridging technical expertise with practical, jobsite-driven solutions. She integrates engineering precision with field realities to streamline production workflows. Her approach maintains quality and protects project delivery schedules.

She advocates for prefabrication strategies that improve efficiency, safety and reliability in steel framing applications. Through industry engagement, panels and professional outreach, Washnieski promotes workforce development and greater representation of women in construction. She also advances a culture of collaboration and accountability that supports high-performance project delivery across the steel construction community.

Alyssa Pease, P.E.

Structural Engineer, R.A. Smith

Alyssa Pease, P.E., is a structural engineer at raSmith in the Milwaukee metro area, where she focuses on the design of mid-rise cold-formed steel buildings and other structural systems. With eight years of engineering experience, she applies technical expertise and problem-solving skills to deliver practical, code-compliant CFS design solutions. Her work spans commercial and multifamily projects.

Pease was recognized as the 2022 Wisconsin Section Young Civil Engineer of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The award honors her leadership and technical contributions to the profession. She also chairs the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) Young Members Group Subcommittee. In that role, she supports early-career engineers and fosters greater engagement with CFS design and industry activities.

Pease has led award-winning cold-formed steel design projects recognized by CFSEI. Her work reflects a commitment to technical excellence, collaboration and advancing professional CFS engineering practice.

Jen Edgar

Vice President of Marketing, ClarkDietrich

Jennifer (Jen) Edgar serves as vice president of marketing for ClarkDietrich Building Systems, North America’s largest manufacturer of cold-formed steel framing products. Promoted to the role in 2023, she leads ClarkDietrich’s strategic marketing initiatives. Her work aligns market strategy with product innovation, brand positioning and customer engagement across the steel framing industry.

Edgar brings more than 20 years of experience in sales, product management and marketing within the building products sector. Prior to her current role, she held leadership positions at ClarkDietrich in product management and regional sales. In those roles, she shaped solutions that respond to contractor and designer needs. She also reinforced the company’s relevance in an evolving construction market. 

In her marketing leadership, Edgar focuses on elevating awareness of cold-formed steel framing. Her work drives both digital and traditional engagement strategies. The result is greater awareness of cold-formed steel and deeper collaboration with designers, builders and distributors.

Advancing Steel Together

Among construction firms, engineering firms, manufacturers and universities, women are driving measurable advances in cold-formed steel design and performance. They are expanding seismic knowledge, refining connection design, advancing prefabrication, shaping standards and leading market strategy. Their contributions strengthen performance, elevate quality and push the industry forward.

Women in Construction Week offers a moment to recognize that impact. Of course, the progress reflected in these profiles is not confined to a single week. It is embedded in the projects delivered, the standards updated, the products launched and the teams mentored throughout the year.

Cold-formed steel advances through expertise, accountability and innovation. The leaders featured here — and many others across the CFS community — are helping define what comes next.