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Date: April 23, 2026
Time:
7:43 pm

Venue

MI + Google Map

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NAWIC Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Chapter #302

2 weeks ago

Throwback Thursday: Our NAWIC chapter charter night invitation from 1983 & statewide NAWIC chapters invitation to the 30th anniversary in 2013 ... See MoreSee Less

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NAWIC Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Chapter #302

2 months ago

Today we’re celebrating Emily Bergel, Community Engagement and Laboratory Manager at Patriot Engineering and Environmental, Inc., who brings creativity, curiosity, and a passion for the sciences to her work in construction and environmental engineering.Emily leads community engagement by developing new client relationships, maintaining existing partnerships, and helping expand Patriot’s presence in Southwest Michigan. She also manages Patriot’s laboratory operations—running tests on soil and concrete according to ASTM and AASHTO standards, supporting project managers with accurate data, and working toward CCRL accreditation for her lab. Alongside this, she continues to grow her knowledge in the environmental department.Her journey into construction began with her college background in geology and a love for understanding how the earth works. After starting as a lab technician analyzing soil, rock, and concrete, she quickly became fascinated by how these materials shape the infrastructure people rely on every day. That curiosity set off a chain reaction—pushing Emily to explore every corner of the construction world Patriot is involved in.Emily’s proudest accomplishment has been moving into Patriot’s new Portage office and stepping into roles that pushed her outside her comfort zone. Not only is she helping establish and grow the company’s newest location—she’s actively shaping its future.Like many women early in their careers, Emily has faced moments of not being taken seriously. She’s learned that once she gets the chance to talk with others, her technical expertise speaks for itself. She approaches every challenge determined to be recognized as the skilled professional she is.To Emily, “Level Up • Build Strong” is about setting strong foundations—literally and metaphorically—for herself and for other women in the industry. She levels up by refusing to box herself in, always seeking new skills, expanding her role, and lifting others up along the way. And she builds strong by being a welcoming resource for teammates, connecting people with solutions, and ensuring no one has to navigate alone.Her advice to young women entering construction:“Don’t be afraid to speak up—it’s one of the best ways to learn and prevent mistakes.”Emily is also a new NAWIC member this year, and she jumped right in—already stepping into leadership as Membership Chair, helping grow and strengthen the community of women in construction.Outside of work, Emily finds balance in creative writing, cozy video games, and spending time with the people who make her smile. She also loves playing Dungeons & Dragons, where she enjoys world‑building and problem‑solving with friends—just in a different kind of setting!We’re excited to recognize Emily’s leadership, curiosity, and growing impact during WIC Week 2026.#WICWeek2026 #WomenInConstruction #NAWIC302 #LevelUpBuildStrong #PatriotEngineering #CommunityEngagement #LaboratoryManager ... See MoreSee Less

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