Women's Hall of Fame Panel Discussion
​Denise Berger, AECOM
Avishan Montazer, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Our 10th anniversary Hall of Fame Panel Discussion celebrates dynamic women from all aspects of the construction industry. Hear their powerful stories of resilience, evolution, and success, as these past Women Who Build Summit speakers share personal and professional milestones that define their journeys. This engaging conversation explores challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned, offering universal inspiration and actionable insights for anyone looking to elevate their career. Do not miss this opportunity to honor the vision and impact of women who are reshaping the construction industry and paving the way for future generations.
More speakers to be added soon!
About Denise
Denise M. Berger is the Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer (CSIO) for AECOM’s U.S. East & Latin America region, leading over 7,500 employees across 65+ offices and driving $1.7 billion in revenue. With expertise in strategy development, ESG initiatives, and operational improvements, she focuses on advancing AECOM's presence in critical sectors such as Transportation, Water, Environment, and Energy. Before her current role, Berger served as AECOM’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Northeast, overseeing $660 million in revenue and 2,500 employees. She also held leadership roles at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, managing a team of 570 and an annual budget of $1.3 billion, contributing to a $37 billion, 10-year capital plan.
A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Berger is also a member of the National Academy of Construction. She serves on influential boards, including the ACE Board of Trustees, for New York Institute of Technology’s School of Architecture & Design, and Columbia University’s Center for Buildings, Infrastructure, and Public Space. Currently, as Vice President of the Women Builders Council, she advocates for advancing women in construction. Berger has been nationally recognized as one of Crain’s New York Business’s "Top 15 Most Notable Women in Construction, Design, and Architecture.
About Avishan
Avishan Montazer is an Assistant Project Manager of The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company in New Haven, CT. She has experience working in complex utility distributions, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Throughout her time with the construction management firm, Montazer has managed the coordination for purchasing and installations in a higher education campus setting, multi-family apartment complexes and retail spaces. She is an avid problem-solver who enjoys collaboration and is highly motivated by customer satisfaction. Montazer is a member of the Women Who Build Planning Committee since 2023, and an active member of SWE (Society of Women Engineers). She enjoys reading, exercising, cooking and traveling the world any chance she can get.