Safety Leadership in Construction

Through leadership at Curtis Partition and industry committees, Eve Biggers-Lewis promotes stronger safety culture and risk awareness.

By John Wyatt, Editor, Tanja Kern, Strategic Content Editor

Eve Biggers-Lewis
Director of Risk Management, Curtis Partition Corporation

Eve Biggers-Lewis didn’t set out to build a career in construction but construction found her, and she never looked back. Today, as director of risk management at Curtis Partition Corporation, she leads a department that touches the most critical parts of the business: safety, insurance, and contract management. Her path into the wall and ceiling industry is marked by grit, curiosity, and a deep commitment to protecting the people who make the work possible.

In 2001, at just 20 years old, Eve was working retail in the mall beneath 5 World Trade Center, unsure what direction her future would take. She had two job offers on the table: One in finance in Tower 1 and another with a major plumbing supplier. She chose the plumbing role, starting on September 10, 2001. The next day, standing on Sixth Avenue and watching the Towers fall, she experienced a moment of clarity that would shape her career: construction was where she belonged.

That unexpected entry point became the foundation for everything that followed. In 2003, she moved to Los Angeles and worked as an owner’s representative for a restaurateur, overseeing construction on a 30,000-square-foot home and restaurant projects: Experience she describes as invaluable. In 2007, she returned to New York to be closer to family and joined Curtis Partition as executive assistant to Ajay Narula. Given the autonomy to grow, Eve steadily expanded her responsibilities, eventually entering an in-house Leadership Development Program that allowed her to work across estimating, project management, and safety.

In 2013, when Curtis Partition decided to bring its risk management program in-house, Ajay entrusted Eve with developing and leading it. She has since helped shape and sustain a safety program rooted in culture, consistency and care, maintaining an excellent EMR even during periods of significant company growth.

Beyond her organization, Eve has contributed to industry progress by serving on panels focused on risk management and safety culture, and by stepping into leadership roles, such as co-chair of the STA insurance and surety committee and co-chair of the WBC risk management committee. Her recognitions include multiple BTEA awards, the “Women’s Building Council Outstanding Women’s” Award, and a PWC 20 Under 40 Award.

Eve believes the industry’s future lies in stronger collaboration, smarter integration of technology, and continued investment in safety and workforce development. Her advice to other women climbing the ladder is clear and direct: find your voice and use it.

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John Wyatt is editor of Walls & Ceilings magazine, bringing more than two decades of experience with BNP Media. He joined the company in 2000 as an associate editor, contributing to both Walls & Ceilings and Roofing Contractor before assuming the role of editor in 2008. In addition to his work with the brand, Wyatt collaborates across BNP’s architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C) portfolio, supporting related publications and initiatives. He can be reached at 248-205-6659 or wyattj@bnpmedia.com.

Tanja Kern covers economic trends and the intersection of architecture, design, and construction for Walls & Ceilings, with an emphasis on the forces reshaping the industry. She develops and amplifies content that connects construction professionals with the intelligence they need to compete and grow.

With more than 20 years of experience, Tanja has written for national business, consumer and trade publications. She holds a Master of Science in magazine publishing from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. She can be reached at kernt@bnpmedia.com.