Vital Impact of WBENC-Certified Firms in the AEC Industry
In the competitive landscape of engineering and construction, progress is often measured in steel and concrete. However, a significant evolution is happening within the leadership of these projects. Women-owned businesses are increasingly at the helm of major infrastructure and facility developments, driven by the gold standard of certification: the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is more than just a credential — it is a powerful endorsement of a firm’s leadership, resilience, and precision.
WBENC-certified companies are not just contributors to our built environment; they are essential drivers of innovation and economic equity. By understanding the rigorous standards of WBENC certification and the trailblazing success of firms like JBC Associates, we realize how these women-owned businesses are transforming the industry one project at a time.
The Value of WBENC: Integrity and Industry Impact
The WBENC certification is much more than a title; it is a rigorous verification process that ensures a business is at least 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women. Founded in 1997, WBENC has become the largest third-party certifier of its kind in the U.S.
For a business, this certification acts as a powerful catalyst for growth:
- Credibility & Trust: The vetting process verifies financial and operational stability, giving clients confidence in a firm’s leadership.
- Market Access: Certification opens doors to networking and business development opportunities with over 1,000 major corporations and government agencies seeking diverse partners.
- AEC Innovation: In a traditionally male-dominated sector, WBENC firms bring diverse perspectives that drive innovative problem-solving and operational efficiency.
A Trailblazer in a Hard Hat: Janet B. Cunningham, P.E.
The impact of this certification is perfectly illustrated by the career of Janet B. Cunningham, P.E., a visionary leader and the founder of JBC Associates, Inc.
Long before “diversity and inclusion” were corporate buzzwords, Janet was busy breaking barriers. After earning her civil engineering degree from Penn State and working in the public sector with the Army Corps of Engineers, Janet became a senior consultant with a construction consulting firm before taking a leap of faith. In 1988, she established JBC Associates, Inc. one of the first engineering firms in Pennsylvania with 100% sole ownership by a woman.
The early days weren’t easy. Operating in a male-dominated industry, Janet faced significant obstacles, but her willingness to take risks and her commitment to continuous learning allowed her to thrive where others might have “sat it out”.
Impact Beyond Infrastructure: Integrated Project Excellence
While JBC is renowned for its work on massive transportation projects for clients such as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the PA Turnpike Commission, and the Philadelphia Department of Aviation, its impact also extends deep into the community through vital facility projects servicing local government, universities, airports, and medical/research buildings. Projects such as these highlight how WBENC firms deliver excellence in the buildings where we live, learn, and work.
Empowering the Next Generation
One of the most significant impacts of a successful WBENC business is the opportunity it creates for the next generation of leaders.
Janet often shares a motto with the graduates she mentors: “If you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance”. Through participation in impactful organizations such as Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), focused on promoting the advancement of women in the transportation industry, and charities such as March of Dimes, supporting women and children, Janet has ensured that more women have the chance to “dance” at the highest levels of the AEC industry, building a stronger and more inclusive future.
The importance of a WBENC-certified business is not just found in the projects completed, or the products made, but in the doors it opens for others.
WBENC-certified companies like JBC Associates, Inc. prove that inclusion is good business. By choosing to work with certified women-owned firms, the AEC industry benefits from diverse perspectives, expert leadership, and a commitment to community that goes beyond the blueprints.
→ Mar 3, 2026
