Leadership

Construction Leader | Founder of Westward Build Group

Lauren Robles-Pizarro is a Latina General Contractor who has been involved in construction since the age of 21, when she was first hired as a temporary administrative assistant on a 22-story condo conversion project known as "3800 Wilshire" while working with Taisei Construction. What began as a temporary position quickly developed into a long-term career in the construction industry. With the support and mentorship of her father, who gave her the opportunity to grow in the field, Lauren progressed from Project Coordinator to Assistant Project Manager, Project Manager, and ultimately Senior Project Manager, gaining hands-on experience managing complex construction projects throughout Los Angeles.

Over the years, Lauren has worked on a wide range of projects including multifamily renovations, mixed-use developments, residential construction, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). 

Throughout her career she has participated in approximately eleven projects, with the largest being a 60-unit, 90,000-square-foot mixed-use development built as a Type V structure over a Type I-A podium with two levels of subterranean parking and ground-floor commercial space.

One of the most complex multifamily projects Lauren managed involved significant life-safety and building systems coordination, including fire pump integration, inverter and standby power requirements, and electrical design challenges that required careful problem-solving after major equipment had already been procured. The project also involved ongoing coordination between structural, mechanical, electrical, and utility-related issues, demanding strong oversight, critical thinking, and close collaboration to keep the work moving while protecting quality, safety, and project performance.

As a Senior Project Manager, Lauren oversaw all aspects of project execution including trade coordination, scheduling, budgeting, contract administration, quality control, and safety oversight. She has extensive experience coordinating with regulatory and utility agencies. Lauren is highly proficient in industry tools including Bluebeam and Microsoft Project, using them for document management, estimating, and project scheduling.

Lauren is particularly skilled in managing project funds and maintaining financial oversight throughout the construction process. She places a strong emphasis on safety and believes that successful projects begin with a well-coordinated, well-managed jobsite where every trade partner is working toward the same goal.

Known for her strong leadership, attention to detail, and collaborative approach to construction management, Lauren enjoys bringing together engineers, architects, and trade partners to solve complex problems and keep projects moving forward efficiently.

Following the economic downturn in 2008, Lauren expanded her professional path by entering the healthcare field. She became a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 2011 and later completed a bridge program to become a Registered Nurse, earning her Associate Degree in Nursing in 2018 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2020. During this time, she continued working in construction alongside her father, gaining additional experience managing projects while balancing her work in healthcare.

Lauren’s background in both construction and healthcare has strengthened her ability to think critically, solve problems under pressure, and approach projects with a high level of responsibility and care.

Today, Lauren leads Westward Build Group, a company founded on the principles of trust, transparency, and quality construction. She is passionate about delivering well-built projects while fostering strong collaboration with clients, consultants, and trade partners.

As a Latina woman in construction, Lauren takes pride in leading projects, setting an example for others in the industry, and demonstrating that leadership, skill, and determination can open doors for the next generation of builders.