WIC Week Spotlight: Jennifer Barborka Leads with Expertise on Plumbing & Piping Crew

During Women in Construction (WIC) Week, McKinstry is shining a spotlight on the women who lead, build and inspire across our jobsites every day. Meet Jennifer Barborka, General Foreman for our plumbing and piping crew based in Austin, Texas. Her day starts early, moves fast and never looks quite the same twice, and that is exactly how she likes it.

As the sun comes up over the jobsite, Jennifer is already on the move. She makes her rounds each morning, checking in with her crew to make sure everyone has what they need and that the day starts safely.

“I go out, check the guys on site, make sure they’re doing alright, and see if they need anything,” she says.

Safety, preparation, and clear communication set the tone for the work ahead. While Jennifer jokes that “no one likes meetings,” she knows how important they are to keep the massive coordination effort on track. Between updates, planning sessions and discussions with partners, she stays connected to every aspect of the project.

Back on the floor, Jennifer visits team members and checks in on the coring crew as they prepare openings for the building’s floor drains. With each stop, she’s troubleshooting, coaching or simply lending support. “My guys can usually handle it on their own,” she says, “but when they can’t, they give me a call and we work through it.”

As the afternoon rolls in, the leadership side of her role takes center stage. Jennifer digs into drawings and looks ahead at what the job will need next. Materials, equipment and layout details ensure her team stays productive and prepared. Planning ahead is a big part of staying ahead.

Part of WIC Week’s mission is about opening doors for the next generation. Jennifer is the first to encourage women to explore careers in the trades. “We can do whatever the guys can do,” she says with a smile. “You think things are too heavy? We usually have a tool for that. Think it might be too hard? Think again.” For her, joining a union, especially the plumbers, was one of the best decisions she’s made. Joining McKinstry has been even better: “It’s the best place I’ve ever worked.”

Jennifer closes out the day the same way she leads it: with positivity, pride and an open invitation. “Thanks for spending the day with me at McKinstry. I hope you have a fantastic week — and come join the trades.”

This WIC Week, we’re proud to celebrate Jennifer and the countless women shaping our built environment. Their leadership pushes our industry forward every day.