Bay Cities Paving and Grading
Hometown
New York
Years of Experience
15
“I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.” — Langston Hughes
Join us in celebrating our May 2026 WiOPS Northern California Member of the Month, Katiria Nunez. Katiria is the Learning & Development Manager at Bay Cities Paving & Grading, where she helps support employee growth, development, and continued learning across the organization.
Katiria’s path into construction was not traditional. As she puts it, “Honestly? Construction found me.” After a layoff, she stayed open to where her skills could take her, and Bay Cities took a chance on what she brought to the table, even without a construction background. Since then, she has brought her 15 years of learning and development experience into the construction industry, where she continues to make an impact.
One of Katiria’s favorite things about the industry is that construction is far more complex than many people realize. “People hear construction and think that they know what it is,” she shared. “The reality is so much more complex, layered, and fascinating.” She enjoys the constant opportunity to learn, from the technical depth and operational complexity of the work to the human stories behind every project.
The best part of Katiria’s job is watching people grow and knowing she had some influence on their journey. For her, it is especially meaningful when people apply something she has taught or coached them through. “That is everything,” she said.
Katiria also brings a thoughtful perspective to the experience of women in construction. She sees being underestimated as an advantage when used with confidence and purpose. In her words, when people do not see you coming, you have the freedom to build, observe, and deliver results before opinions are formed. She also recognizes the remarkable self-sufficiency women often develop in the field: “We figure things out, we adapt, and we find ways to get things done in environments that weren’t always designed with us in mind.”
Her advice to young women entering the industry is simple and powerful: stay curious. Whether someone has been in construction for two years or twenty, Katiria believes there is always more to learn.
Congratulations, Katiria! WiOPS Northern California is proud to celebrate your leadership, perspective, and commitment to helping others grow.
