One of the best parts of our industry is the people who are working to make it more welcoming and inclusive. That’s why we were excited to attend Build With Pride Seattle’s (BWPS) third annual Built to Rally fundraiser this month, along with several other BWPS events throughout the past year. Beyond being a fun evening with exceptionally good vibes (and music!), it was an opportunity to connect with LGBTQIA+ professionals and allies across the industry and experience what BWPS is building.
Build With Pride Seattle co-founders: (left) Garett Larivee, Eliot Hills, Kabri Lehrman-Schmid, and Courtney Wise (Photo courtesy Build With Pride Seattle)
To learn more about BWPS, we chatted with co-founders Eliot Hills, Courtney Wise, Kabri Lehrman-Schmid, and Garett Larivee about the inspiration behind the organization, the impact they hope to make, and what’s next.
After attending several BWPS events, it’s clear how passionate you all are about this work. What inspired you all to start BWPS?
Courtney: It all started with a spark of inspiration at a BuiltIT event in 2023. Kabri was one of the presenters, and after her presentation, I told her that if she ever wanted to do something similar in Seattle, I’d be very interested.
A few months later, Kabri, Eliot and I started planning a Pride Month happy hour. It became clear that Seattle was lacking a dedicated community for LGBTQIA+ individuals in the AEC industry. Our first event exceeded every expectation, with more than 200 attendees from over 85 companies. From that moment, BWPS blossomed into what it is today.
Eliot: My inspiration came from personal experience over 14 years in the industry and conversations with colleagues who wanted to be their genuine selves and advance their careers despite how they identify. We wanted to create a space where people could meet supportive peers, find mentorship opportunities, and grow a network of LGBTQIA+ professionals and allies.
Kabri: For me, BWPS is rooted in the belief that identity-based communities deepen people’s commitment to their work. When people have access to mentorship, meaningful connections, and a supportive community, they’re more likely to stay, grow into leaders, and help others do the same. BWPS was created to help LGBTQIA+ people and allies build those connections across companies and career stages so they can thrive.
Garett: After starting a career in the construction industry in 2022, one of the first things I did was look for a group like BWPS and was surprised to find that there was nothing like it in Seattle. When I heard that Kabri, Eliot and Courtney were looking to start the organization, I jumped at the opportunity to use my experience to help and have not looked back!
We know you all have full-time jobs outside of your work with BWPS, and it takes commitment to spend extra hours. What conversations or actions do you hope your work encourages in the AEC industry?
Garett: For me, one of the largest things we can do is provide visibility to the number of LGBTQIA+ people in the AEC industry. One of the most common comments we receive is surprise at the number of people at our events, which I think speaks to the need for our organization in the industry, especially given the importance of networking and building connections for career growth.
Kabri: I hope BWPS encourages the industry to understand inclusion as something practical, relational, and rooted in the work we do every day. It shows up in who feels welcome on a jobsite, who has access to informal networks, who is encouraged to lead, and who can imagine a long-term future in this industry.
Eliot: I want BWPS to encourage honest conversations about inclusion, equity, and safety in AEC workplaces; the kind of conversations that lead to concrete actions like inclusive hiring, promotion, and retention practices. We currently don’t see visible leadership pathways for LGBTQIA+ professionals, and we want to change that.
Courtney: I want people to feel inspired to join the industry or find a connection with others in the field that they might not have at their current workplace. I also hope this work sparks conversations about psychological safety and how we can ensure everyone can bring their full selves to work.
We know that creating opportunities and removing barriers is at the heart of your organization. Tell us about the BWPS Scholarship and why it’s important.
Eliot: The BWPS Scholarship supports LGBTQIA+ and allied students attending the ANEW Pre-Apprentice Training Program who are pursuing careers in the AEC industry. It was founded in partnership with the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA). We’re working to build this program and, in the future, connect recipients with mentorship and professional networks.
Courtney: There are a lot of hurdles, financial and otherwise, that individuals must clear to get the right education or training, and we wanted to help remove at least one of those barriers.
Kabri: The scholarship sends a clear message to the LGBTQIA+ community: you are welcome here, and there are people in this industry who want you to succeed. That sense of belonging matters, especially in an industry where many people have not always felt seen, safe, or supported.
WT team members (left) Associate Leslie Riibe, Allison Rose, and Caitlyn Salters at the June 2026 Built To Rally fundraising event
We’ve had a great time at all the events we’ve attended. If someone wants to get involved with BWPS but doesn’t know where to start, what would you tell them?
Kabri: Attend an event, invite a colleague, volunteer, sponsor, share an idea, or help us connect with an organization that could benefit from partnership. Whether you are in the field, in design, in operations, in business development, in leadership, or just starting your career, there is a place to contribute.
Courtney: Events are a low-pressure way to meet people and see what we’re about. If you have questions or aren’t ready to attend, reach out via email or connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram. We’re happy to help people find the right way to plug in!
Visit the Build With Pride Seattle website to learn more about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, or ways to support their mission.