In our latest spotlight, we focus on Iron Woman Construction and Environmental Services. Over the last two decades, co-founders Shaun and Phyllis Egan have grown the company to the success it is today. Today, the mission of Iron Woman is stronger than ever, recently celebrating being named the “Corporation of the year” by the American Indian Chamber of Commerce. Read below to find out more about how Iron Woman continues “building today for a sustainable tomorrow.”

Iron Woman Construction & Environmental Services, a 100% percent Native American-owned company based in Denver, is celebrating its twenty-year anniversary this year. Iron Woman was first established with the pledge “Building Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.” Shaun and Phyllis Egan, Iron Woman’s co-founders, built the company with sustainable development as its cornerstone; a central theme that has persisted over time. Thanks to this history, Iron Woman has become an integral part of the sustainable development movement throughout Colorado. The name “Iron Woman” was selected in honor of Shaun’s great-great-great-grandmother, who was Blackfeet – a true Iron Woman of her time.

Iron Woman began operations in March 1999 when it signed its first contract to perform trucking services in support of the redevelopment of the former Stapleton International Airport in Denver. Iron Woman committed itself to providing sustainable solutions for this project, which included transporting more than six million tons of concrete and asphalt rubble to an onsite recycling center for processing into usable aggregates for the redevelopment of the former airport. Its expertise helped to ensure that old materials found new life through recycling and contributed to a sustainable future for the Airport.

Since then, Iron Woman has added civil and utilities, environmental, mining support, and pipe inspection and rehabilitation as key service lines that have contributed to record growth over the past ten years. Throughout years of growth and new developments, Iron Woman has stayed true to its pledge by executing sustainable solutions that last.

The company has benefited greatly from its association with the National Center and its staff in Colorado and New Mexico. This was done primarily through networking and expert guidance that helped Iron Woman navigate the business world as a Native American owned company. In 2018, Iron Woman was honored by the American Indian Chamber of Commerce as Corporation of the Year. President Shaun Egan was also honored with the Dee St. Cyr/Colleen Honomichl Legacy of Service Award, given to those who truly exemplify the spirit of giving, standing for the underserved, and contributing to improvements across Indian communities. This marked the first time that a recipient won both awards in the same year.

Iron Woman announced an employee ownership program earlier this year with the formation of Iron Woman Partners, LLC. This development furthers Iron Woman’s commitment to using the tools of today to build a better tomorrow.

Congratulations to Iron Woman and founders Shaun and Phyllis Egan for their success and recognition in Indian Country and beyond!