Karly Heffernan On Solving The $180 Billion Global Rework Problem In Construction

Thought leadership often emerges from unexpected places, offering fresh perspectives rather than traditional paths. Karly Heffernan, a Harvard graduate and former world champion hockey player, aims to address the gaps in construction technology by bridging blue-collar realities with cutting-edge technology.

Construction and Tech Life After Hockey

Heffernan never imagined she’d retire her hockey skates for a career in construction. Practically born on the ice, her entire focus growing up was athletic. At the young age of 15, she represented her country internationally, driving Team Canada to three gold medals. 

But behind the discipline of an elite athlete was a visionary ready to tackle more significant challenges. 

"In construction, like in sports, there's no time for perfection," Heffernan says. "You make decisions under pressure, and you live with them. AI, if done right, can help make sure those decisions don't get lost along the way.”

Image Credit: Karly Heffernan

Ivy League Lessons, Real World Impact

Those battles began at Harvard, where Heffernan earned a degree in Sociology and Economics. As a first generation college grad, she felt a familiar pressure to compete among some of the world's best minds. Her competitive pursuits along with her coursework, which emphasized entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence (AI) shaped her approach to problem-solving. 

Yet, it wasn’t lecture halls alone that drew her attention—it was the real-world impact she could make beyond campus.

Her secret? A unique set of skills:

1. Elite Athletic Discipline: A competitive edge—knowing how to lead under pressure, stay goal-oriented and maintain resilience in the face of adversity.
2. Ivy League Insights: An academic foundation in economics, data, and AI principles.
3. Blue-Collar Empathy: First-hand experience in the construction industry and an earned understanding of its challenges. 

Breaking Barriers in Construction

Transitioning from the male-dominated world of hockey to construction and ConTech, Heffernan saw opportunities where others saw obstacles. Her firsthand experience in construction operations revealed deep-rooted inefficiencies, particularly in the way field teams communicate. 

“The construction industry is still male-dominated,” Heffernan acknowledges. “But the challenges I faced as a woman only fueled my resolve to modernize how we operate.”

Her Perspective on U.S.' $30 Billion Communication Gap

According to a joint study by Autodesk and FMI, poor communication and data management contribute to nearly $180 billion in rework costs annually across the global construction industry, $30B being in the U.S. alone)

After seeing and experiencing this communication gap first-hand, Heffernan embraced innovation. Her experience proved that the current way of communicating left businesses exposed to risk, inefficiencies and high costs. Through her entrepreneurial pursuits, she's exploring how AI can automate these processes, drastically reducing mistakes and improving workflows for field teams. 

Heffernan's recognition of AI’s potential highlights her ability to lead by thinking outside the box: "Tech adoption in construction isn't lagging because the industry is slow, it's because most solutions ask people to fundamentally change how they work, often without understanding the realities of the field. Until tech meets workers where they are, adoption will always be an uphill battle."

Redefining Leadership in Blue-Collar Tech

Heffernan’s vision involves more than technological advancement—it centers around redefining leadership roles within blue-collar industries. She believes that diverse perspectives are crucial for industry growth. Her presence as a female tech thought leader challenges traditional ideas of what leadership looks like. 

Her message resonates deeply. Transitioning from Harvard classrooms to construction sites gives Heffernan credibility and relatability rarely seen in tech. Her ultimate goal is to inspire a more forward-looking approach in industries that tech often overlooks while supporting ventures that genuinely make a difference. 

“In the future, I see myself building and backing ventures that bring innovation to overlooked industries like construction and real estate,” Heffernan shares. “Innovation excites me most when it solves problems that impact the foundations of our world.” 

Staying Grounded in a Growing Spotlight

Those who have worked with Heffernan note her ability to grasp real-world challenges and deliver effective, hands-on solutions. Despite growing industry recognition for her practical insights on strategy and execution, the PropTech and ConTech thought leader remains grounded. 

For Heffernan, bridging the gap between hard hats and high-tech is more than a mission; it’s her calling. 

This post was authored by an external contributor and does not represent Benzinga’s opinions and has not been edited for content. This contains sponsored content and is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.