East Petersburg, PA—Warfel Construction has been named a 2025 Empowering Women Award recipient by Lehigh Valley Business and Central Penn Business Journal. This recognition highlights companies in Central and Eastern Pennsylvania that are creating meaningful opportunities for women to grow, lead, and thrive in the workplace and the broader community.
Warfel is honored to be included among this year’s awardees. In an industry where women have historically been underrepresented, the company remains committed to building a collaborative environment where women are supported through mentorship, leadership opportunities, and a strong sense of belonging. Over the past five years, Warfel has grown its female workforce by over 176% and promoted two women to Vice President on its senior leadership team.
Thoughts from Leadership
“Receiving this award reflects the incredible people who make Warfel what it is,” said Conlan Swope, President of Warfel Construction. “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and committed to continuing the work to support women in every part of our organization and industry.”
“When you feel truly supported—like your voice matters and your growth is a shared priority—it changes everything,” said Gina Bonafede, Vice President of Marketing. “That’s the kind of culture we’re committed to building at Warfel. This recognition is truly a reflection of our mission and values at work across the organization, each and every day.”
Grounded in People and Community
Warfel’s commitment to empowering women is part of a broader approach to putting people first, always. That includes uplifting internal teams and building strong, lasting connections with the communities the company serves. Through mentorship programs, hands-on learning opportunities, industry partnerships, and volunteer initiatives, Warfel works to create a meaningful impact both inside and outside the organization.
Supporting Growth at Every Level
Every employee who joins Warfel is connected with a mentor or supervisor to help guide their journey. Through its internal RISE (Raising Industry Standards for Equality) group, team members connect, grow, and find community together.
Warfel also extends its impact beyond the company by partnering with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), hosting job site tours, and leading summer camps designed to introduce young girls to careers in construction. In July, Warfel will host a Girls Inc. Design & Build Camp Day at its headquarters, where participants will take part in hands-on activities that highlight construction career paths, workplace etiquette, and communication skills, helping to build confidence and awareness at an early age.
About the Award
The Empowering Women Awards will be celebrated at the Women’s Leadership Summit on August 12 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading. The Empowering Women Awards highlight companies and organizations that have demonstrated tangible efforts and documented results in supporting and empowering women in Central and Eastern PA. Honorees will also be featured in the August 15 issue of Central Penn Business Journal and the August 25 issue of Lehigh Valley Business. To learn more, visit lvb.com/event/empowering-women.
About Warfel Construction
Warfel Construction is a full-service construction management firm based in East Petersburg, Pennsylvania. Warfel serves clients across the senior living, healthcare, higher education, and commercial sectors. Guided by a people-first culture and a mission to build Clients for Life, Warfel is known for delivering complex projects through collaboration, innovation, and integrity. To learn more about Warfel Construction, visit https://www.warfelcc.com/.
