Blach Construction’s Laura Bold Honored with 2024 Tribute to Women Lifetime Achievement Award

Long-standing Vice President of Finance Recognized by YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley

"For almost three decades, Laura has had remarkable influence on our ongoing success."

"She models our values, has helped shape our culture and is a highly respected leader."

"As service-minded builders dedicated to enhancing our communities, we are so grateful for Laura's tireless efforts as a leader, colleague, and advocate."

Santa Clara, Calif. – The YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley chapter bestowed its inaugural Tribute to Women Lifetime Achievement Award to Laura Bold, Blach Construction’s (Blach) longtime vice president of finance, at its Awards Gala last night. Approximately 500 Bay Area business and community leaders came together at the Santa Clara Marriott to support this prestigious Tribute to Women award program, which is presented to women who have had significant impact on their respective industries and communities. The YWCA recognized Bold with its Tribute to Women In Industry (TWIN) Award in 2005, and now is recognizing her with its first Lifetime Achievement Award.

“For almost three decades, Laura has had remarkable influence on our ongoing success. Her calm demeanor, rationale and thoughtful approach have been instrumental to our operations and state-wide expansion,” stated Mike Blach, chairman, Blach Construction. “Her contributions are many and range from organizational systems to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. She models our values, has helped shape our culture and is a highly respected leader. It is these attributes – and more – that make her an exemplary recipient of the Tribute to Women Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Bold began her career at Blach in 1996 as the firm’s only accountant. After quickly mastering the nuances of construction accounting and finance, she became corporate controller and began to expand her department. In 2013, she was promoted to her current role of vice president, finance. Her thoughtful counsel has led Blach to sustained revenue growth, which at nearly $300 million per year, is approximately ten times more than when she started. Now as she prepares to retire, Bold is working to seamlessly transition her knowledge of complex project accounting and backlog, finance operations and risk management/insurance to her successor. 

Along with her finance-related role, Bold has been a steadfast advocate for colleagues throughout the firm, especially women. She was the first female appointed to the Blach Leadership Team, paving the way for others to follow and championing the firm’s commitment to advancing DEI. A proponent for the underserved, she has led company-wide philanthropy efforts with Sacred Heart Community Services for more than 15 years, rallying Blach’s 200-plus employees to participate in annual fundraisers. She also serves as vice president and lead board member for the Blach Construction Foundation, overseeing numerous gifts, including a special college scholarship fund.

Bold is a member of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) and received a B.S.C. in Accounting from Santa Clara University.

“As service-minded builders dedicated to enhancing our communities, we are so grateful for Laura’s tireless efforts as a leader, colleague and advocate,” said Blach President Dan Rogers. “Her ongoing contributions set Blach up for the success we continue to enjoy. There is no one more deserving of the Tribute to Women Lifetime Achievement Award and we are thrilled to celebrate this with her before she retires.”