How This Site Manager Promotes Sustainability While Fostering a Supportive Workplace

With a degree in chemical engineering and a background in the processing and manufacturing industries, Kristen Koral began her career journey at CRH in the company’s two-year engineering program. “I originally wanted to be a process engineer,” she shares. “However, by the end of the program, I realized I was more interested in sustainability.”  

With the support of CRH leaders and mentors, Koral transitioned to her role as a site manager with CRH’s Sapphire group at Ash Grove Cement in Seattle, which promotes circularity, decarbonization, and sustainability-oriented solutions. “I got to continue working at the plant, which I love,” she says. “It worked out perfectly!”

Koral is grateful for the company’s culture of support and emphasizes the significant role mentorship has played in her career development. “The president of Sapphire is a woman, and it’s inspiring to see her. She supports any development opportunity I’ve been given,” Koral says. “My mentor through the development program and in my new position is an amazing woman who’s always there for me when I need help.”

Here, we caught up with Koral to learn more about her work with CRH, her insights on uplifting other women in the workplace, and tips for other women looking to do the same. 

Tell us a bit about your job. What’s your current role, how long have you been in this role, and what’s your day-to-day like? 

I've managed all Sapphire-related projects at the Ash Grove Seattle plant for about three years. My day-to-day might involve developing a trial protocol for a new recycled material we want to try, tracking the reliability of our alternative fuel system, or working with different groups of the company to develop a new low-carbon cement. 

Can you tell us more about how CRH has aided your career growth? In what ways does CRH help support women in the workplace? 

I’ve always been encouraged to take any development opportunity that comes my way. My company fully supports me in branching out from my daily routine and learning as much as possible. But even with that, they still check in and make sure I don’t feel overworked, which shows me they care. 

The company fully supports our women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) and has invested in software that will allow ERGs throughout the company to communicate better and share best practices. 

What career move have you made that you are most proud of?

I’m still fairly new to my career, but I’m most proud of being selected to present to our board of directors. It was surreal to see all the presidents and senior leaders together and know I was chosen to be a part of it. 

How do you uplift other women as your career grows?

It’s essential to be available for women who need a confidante. Sometimes, I need a safe space to talk, and I try to provide one as much as possible. If someone needs to talk, I’ll always make time for them.

What are your top tips on how other women can help advance the careers of those around them?

It’s well documented that women typically don’t apply for jobs unless they meet all the requirements. I encourage women to apply for anything they’re interested in and advocate for themselves. 

Women can also be held to a higher standard, and it’s important to point out when the standards are unfair. For example, I’ve heard colleagues mention that they feel they must go above and beyond to get considered for a promotion. We have to advocate for and support each other in these instances by providing support and highlighting the work women do with the higher management team.   

Do you have any books, podcasts, or other forms of media that you would recommend women read to help them better support other women? 

Seek out media produced by women. If you’re interested in movies, find movies with women directors. If you’re interested in sports, listen to women in sports media. Mina Kimes and Dianna Russini are two incredible sports analysts. Sofia Coppola’s movies often center around women—she recently wrote and directed Priscilla. Quinta Brunson created the show Abbott Elementary. I listen to the true-crime podcast Redhanded, hosted by two women. Kristin Hannah is an amazing author whose books center the relationships in women’s lives.