Highlighting the women leading change in the construction industry, NexGen showcases the journey of its founder, Dominique Gill.
By Lauren Fahey, executive director at NexGen.
When I was asked to write about women breaking barriers in construction, NexGen founder Dominique Gill instantly came to mind. It’s rare to see women running a business in any industry, let alone in construction, and Dominique’s journey with Urban Core is nothing short of inspiring. Starting from scratch in 2016, she’s built an incredible business recognised as one of Australia’s ‘Fast Starters’ by The Australian Financial Review. But it’s not just about growth for Dominique – she’s on a mission to do things differently and push for change.
This year, Urban Core has achieved what many might think is impossible: a 50 per cent gender-diverse workforce. That’s huge in an industry where women make up just over 13 per cent of the workforce. For Dominique, diversity isn’t just a goal or a checkbox – it’s about giving everyone a voice and creating an environment where different perspectives lead to stronger ideas and solutions. As she puts it, “When we have more women and diverse voices at the table, everyone wins. It’s not just good for business – it’s the right thing to do.”
Dominique’s vision goes beyond just building a diverse team; she’s also committed to building sustainably. Urban Core is a member of the Green Building Council of Australia, and every project reflects her focus on the future. She doesn’t just want to build for today but also protect tomorrow. “Sustainability is about future‑proofing,” she says, and that means every project is handled with care for the planet, from carbon neutrality to environmental management plans. I personally love that Urban Core has planted over 2,000 trees to offset carbon emissions.
As a mother of three, Dom understands the importance of parental leave. Urban Core has introduced its own parental leave policy, going beyond the government standard to support all primary carers. This policy includes a flexible return to work arrangement within 24 months, ensuring that parents can transition back into their roles at a pace that works for them.
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But Dominique didn’t stop there. She wanted to change how young people (especially young women) see construction, so she founded NexGen, a not-for-profit that brings the industry to students. Through school visits and community events, NexGen Ambassadors show young people the many paths they can take in construction, breaking down stereotypes and encouraging them to dream big. Ambassadors share their own journeys with students, hoping to show that a career in construction isn’t merely possible – it can be exciting and rewarding.
Dominique has been recognised with the 2021 NSW and National Crystal Vision Award for her work in advancing women in construction, but for her, it’s not about awards. It’s about real change, making sure this industry becomes a place where anyone, no matter who they are, can feel at home and build a future.
Through Urban Core and as the founder and chair of NexGen, Dominique is showing all of us that construction is about building a community, a culture, and a future we can all be proud of.