Board of Directors

Patty Bilotto has over 25 years of experience leading the marketing and business development efforts for various regional and national design and construction firms. As Associate and Director of Marketing and Business Development at van Zelm Engineers, Patty is engaged in executing multi-faceted marketing and business development plans, nurturing/maintaining meaningful client and industry relationships, building brand awareness, placing digital and print media, and planning of events. van Zelm is nationally renowned for the design of cutting edge, highly sustainable mechanical and electrical building systems with offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts & North Carolina.

Patty brings a wealth of experience as a long-time volunteer and board member for non-profit organizations. She has been actively involved with PWC CT since joining in 2008. Serving as president since 2020, she also serves on the Program and Awards committees. Her prior chapter roles include Secretary, Director and Membership Chair. She is a four-term past president of the Society for Marketing Professional Services, Connecticut Chapter, and served as SMPS National’s Chair of its Striving for Excellence Committee. Patty earned her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of New Haven. She is a Certified Marketing Professional Services Professional (CPSM).

Dawn Meeker is a Partner in Marcum’s Advisory and Consulting practice and a member of the CFO and Controllership group. She has more than 31 years of experience in both public and private accounting. She earned a Bachelor of Science, in Accounting from the University of New Haven, and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Connecticut. Dawn advises clients on construction accounting software system implementations; and manages onboarding and training of all staff on these systems. She has a significant depth of knowledge within the construction industry due to her 20 years of experience serving as the Controller and Vice President with various companies in the drywall, electrical and mechanical construction trade industries. She oversaw all bonding processes, including all financial and banking operations. Dawn has also previously held Interim Controller roles for many of her clients, where she provided daily accounting and financial operational support and comprehensive oversight.

Dawn is an active member of the community and industry. She currently serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee for the Boys and Girls Club of New Haven, CT, where her values closely align with the mission of the organization. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA). Dawn has served as the PWC CT Chapter Secretary since 2020, and Membership Chair since 2021. She also continues to volunteer on the PWC Awards Committee.

Carolyn is a Director at CohnReznick and a leader in the Firm’s Government Services and Construction Industry Practices. She has over 20 years of experience and specializes in providing audit, accounting, consulting and forensic services to government agencies, quasi-government agencies, government contractors and service providers, engineering firms and construction companies. Ms. Kurth specializes in, and has extensive experience with Construction Claims Analysis for various public and non-public project owners; Contract Close-Out Audits; Interim Project Audits; Financial Reporting & Auditing for School Construction Projects; Burden, Fringe & Overhead Rate Audits; and Forensic investigations for various companies and organizations. Prior to joining CohnReznick, Carolyn was the Director of Forensic Accounting, Auditing and Consulting at a regional accounting firm where she was responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of the Firm’s policies and procedures for quality control on all of the Firm’s audits, forensic accounting and consulting engagements, and special projects. In addition to being a charter board member of the Connecticut Chapter of Professional Women in Construction (PWC), Carolyn served as Treasurer of the Connecticut Chapter of PWC from 2005 – 2013, President of the Connecticut Chapter from 2014 – 2015, and is currently Treasurer. Carolyn’s commitment to the construction industry was recognized by the Professional Women in Construction – National, who honored her in 2014 as a “Woman of Achievement”. Ms. Kurth previously served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Women in Construction Connecticut Chapter. She is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and the National Association of Construction Auditors.

As the Construction Practice Leader for AssuredPartners New England, Leyna Erickson helps CEOs and CFOs ensure that their Insurance, Bonding and Risk Management programs are tailored to their businesses and are out-performing the industry-average program. Leyna has over 20 years of experience partnering with complex construction companies, delivering specialized expertise, building strong relationships and the deploying unparalleled resources for her clients. The connections she has grown over the past 20 years have inspired her passion for championing women in the AEC Industries, a mission that closely aligns with the Professional Women in Construction.

Leyna finds great joy in connecting with others through volunteering in her community and within her industry. She serves on the Board of the Farmington Valley YMCA and was a founding member of the Emerging Leaders Group of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Connecticut. In addition to her position on the PWC Board, she continues to volunteer on the PWC Programs Committee. Leyna holds her Accredited Advisor of Insurance designation and attended Manchester Community College. She is the proud wife of a Marine Corps veteran, the mother of two young sons, and when she’s not delving into the depths of insurance policies and contract language, Leyna is an avid obstacle course racer and outdoor enthusiast.

Laurann Asklof practices in the area of Construction Law and Litigation. She has extensive experience in handling complex construction litigation on behalf of owners, contractors and subcontractors. Drawing on her approximate 30 years of experience, Laurann provides sophisticated advice, delivered in a practical, business-oriented manner to construction clients throughout the life of a project, including project delivery methods; bidding/procurement; drafting and negotiations of contracts and dispute resolution. Laurann works closely with the firm’s school law lawyers in providing thoughtful guidance on the bidding process, contracts and dispute resolution. She also litigates municipal tax appeals on behalf of property owners and municipalities.

Since 2003, Laurann has been the principal litigator for the University of Connecticut’s UCONN 2000, 21st Century Construction Infrastructure Program and the University of Connecticut’s Next Generation Construction Program. In that capacity, Laurann counsels the University on bidding/procurement practices, dispute avoidance before and during the construction project and, when disputes are unavoidable, represents the University in the mediation, arbitration and litigation of bidding and construction disputes.

Laurann believes in developing a strong relationship with her clients and gaining a deep understanding of their business while offering a cost-effective resolution to their legal needs. She tirelessly works to deliver effective and efficient results for them in all areas of practice.

In addition to the various roles Laurann has held with PWC, Laurann is the Secretary of the Connecticut Bar Association, Construction Law Section; a member of the American Bar Association, Construction Law Section; Industry Advisory Board member for CCSU Construction Management Program; and has been appointed by the Governor of Connecticut to serve on the Architectural Licensing Board.

Kimberly Colapietro. Partner of EDI Landscape, LLC, is a landscape professional with 30 years of experience, having severed as an owner/operator of the landscaping business for much of her career. She formed EDI in 2001 and serves as managing partner, with a focus on driving a culture of customer satisfaction and field operations excellence. Kim brings to each project a desire that leads to vibrant and sustainable spaces and is very passionate about her year round color programs as evidenced in many notable projects. She has learned that taking a holistic and systematic approach must be taken to consider the site’s physical surroundings and the needs of the client, taking into account financial implications, long-term community effects, implementation, maintenance and management of each project. With a wide array of experience on a variety of award-winning commercial, institutional and public landscape projects ranging size and complexity, Kim is directly involved with quality initiatives, including sustainability, technical delivery and safety oversight. She oversees firm growth, diversification and development; and defines the firm’s business objectives for performance, collaborative operations and staff development. She is dedicated to working closely with clients to achieve memorable and lasting built work. Kim is an active member of PLANET, a national association for landscape professionals, the Connecticut Construction Industries Association and the Professional Women in Construction.

Kyma is a Pre-Construction Manager at LaRosa Building Group, LLC, a family-owned Meriden based firm specializing in General Construction, Design/Build, Construction Management and Contract Administration. Since joining LaRosa in 2014, Kyma successfully managed over 75 million dollars in projects ranging in size, primarily in affordable housing, before starting her new role in 2022 as Pre-Construction Manager. Owners, architects, and coworkers alike value her professionalism, dedication, integrity and quality of work she brings to each project. Her passion has always been about creating beautiful living spaces, and giving back in communities she lives and works in.

Kyma is the proud recipient of the Professional Women in Construction Connecticut Chapter Rising Star Award, is a LEED Accredited Professional, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Wesleyan University and a Master of Science in Construction Management from Central CT State University. In addition to serving on the PWC Connecticut Chapter’s Board of Directors and Mentorship Committee, Kyma is also a Board Member and on the House and Grounds Committee for the Guilford chapter of A Better Chance, and serves on the Habitat for Humanity Committee as a member of the New Haven Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. When not working or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her husband and fur babies, and riding her dirt bike.

Choity Khan is an associate attorney at Robinson & Cole’s Hartford office. She represents construction industry clients including owners, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals. She is a member of the firm’s Construction Law Group, providing litigation and transactional services to her clients. She is also a contributor to the firm’s Construction Law Zone blog.

Choity received her J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut. She presently serves on the PWC Board of Directors and also volunteers on the PWC Mentorship Committee.

Jennifer Marks is a licensed Land Surveyor and Principal at BL Companies, an employee-owned firm delivering high-quality, integrated architecture, engineering, environmental and land surveying services to public and private clients for land development, building design and infrastructure projects. She has over 39 years of land surveying experience and is a licensed surveyor in multiple states throughout the region. She performs business development at BL Companies with a particular focus on the energy industry as well as commercial real estate. She has been successful in developing key client relationships and expanding the company’s geographic footprint throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. In addition, Jennifer has been instrumental in developing and leading the implementation of the firm’s strategic foundation and leadership development program. She is an experienced project manager and enjoys mentoring and sharing her wealth of experiences with others in the industry.  Jennifer is currently active in Professional Women in Construction, the Connecticut Association of Land Surveyors and CREW CT. She resides in Branford, CT with her husband and has two post college-age children.

Ron has been part of the A/E/C industry for nearly 40 years. He has worked as an interior and architectural designer for design firms, corporations, and private universities. He is currently a Project Manager with the architectural firm Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc. in their Connecticut office. Ron holds a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Architecture from the Boston Architectural College. In addition to serving on the Connecticut Chapter’s Board of Directors, he has also served as the Chair of the Scholarship Committee and continues to be a member of the Committee.

An award-winning professional services marketer, and designer with more than 22 years of industry experience, Amy blends design expertise with a deep understanding of business development, communications, and brand strategy. As Director, Business Development & Marketing for Babbidge Construction, Amy’s leads market positioning, develops client relationship experiences, and builds brand development and communications efforts—a role that is influenced by her background in fine arts, her experience as a creative director, and a lifelong love of the AEC industry.

Amy believes in community outreach and volunteers for several professional organizations. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for PWC CT, she chairs the Communications committee and serves on the Programs committee. Amy is also a founding member, Director and Board Secretary for the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), Connecticut Chapter, and an active member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS). Amy earned her BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Hartford. In her free time, Amy enjoys spending time at the beach and attending sporting events with her family.