Shaped by the jobsite: Marielle Price on leading construction tech with field-level insight

This story is part of the Skilled AF podcast series, spotlighting diverse and inspiring voices connected to the skilled trades & construction community.

Marielle Price didn’t grow up in a construction family, but after studying civil engineering and sustainable design at Stanford, she fell in love with the problem-solving, team-based nature of construction. After 7+ years in the field managing multimillion-dollar projects, Marielle made the leap into construction tech, joining Fieldwire (now Fieldwire by Hilti) as one of its first employees. As VP of Go-To-Market, she shares how her experience in traditional construction shaped her work in tech, what makes construction a uniquely human industry, and how software tools are helping builders focus less on paperwork and more on what matters – getting things built.

In this interview we cover:

• From Civil Engineering to Construction: How a Stanford sustainable design masters program unexpectedly led Marielle into construction.

• Transitioning into Construction Tech: Why she made the leap and how jobsite trailers and tech startups have more in common than you’d think.

• Construction Tech as a Career Pathway: The team Marielle has built – all pulling from construction and skilled trades professions.

• Unlocking Productivity: The power of construction tech and lean principles in transforming how things get built.

• AI’s Role in the Industry: Why AI won’t replace people, but it will replace busywork.

• Culture Shifts to Attract Talent: The stigmas still hurting the industry, and why Marielle believes construction is one of the most rewarding careers out there.

• Creating Space for Working Moms: How Marielle is using her leadership role to advocate for flexibility, normalize parenthood at work, and build a more inclusive industry.

• Advice for the Next Generation: Why exposure, mentorship, and hands-on experience are key, and how trade school can open doors to high-opportunity careers.