ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg woman, Stephanie Morge, 40, who works in the construction industry embodies the theme for this year’s National Women’s History Month which is “women who advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion.”

What You Need To Know

  •  March is National Women’s History Month

  •  Stephanie Morge, 40, embodies this year's theme: “women who advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion”

  •  Morge has been working at Power Design for 16 years

  •  She serves on the boards of CASA Pinellas, Reach St. Pete, SPCA Tampa Bay and St. Pete Pride

“As a biracial adopted woman, I really get to have the experience in multiple different facets,” she said. “Both professionally and personally.”

Morge is the director of learning and development for Power Design, a nationwide multi-trade contractor that designs and constructs buildings. She also sits on the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee.

“That’s a big, big focus for us as we continue to grow,” she said. “We want to make sure that we are recruiting the most diversified, skilled candidates as possible.”

Morge grew up in Ft. Lauderdale and moved to the Tampa Bay area to attend the University of South Florida in 2002. After graduating, Morge said Power Design, based in St. Petersburg, recruited her and she has been with the company for 16 years.

“What I love about working at Power Design is really the culture,” she said. “I could have very easily gone anywhere else over the years, but I never wanted to because of how much they care about their employees. We continue to receive the ‘top places to work’ award.”

Morge said Power Design supports her efforts to help the local community. She serves on the boards of CASA Pinellas, Reach St. Pete, SPCA Tampa Bay and St. Pete Pride. Morge also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and USF’s Women in Leadership & Philanthropy, where she mentors young women.

“We really aim to support women that are in higher education and looking to achieve their degree and through scholarships and mentoring we support them in a variety of ways,” she said. “I’ve had the honor of mentoring some young ladies in the past and continue to serve as their membership chair as well.”

Morge lives in St. Pete with her wife, Misty, along with their two dogs and three cats. She says her mom is also a woman in STEM, which was inspirational. 

As an adopted, biracial, lesbian woman, Morge champions traditionally marginalized groups and said she’s honored to be a part of National Women’s History Month.

“As a woman in construction, a woman that is biracial and part of the LGBTQ community and part of so many different groups and does their best to try to support those around her, it really means a lot,” she said. “I’m not only grateful to work in an industry that women are continuing to gain more and more recognition in, but also for a company that supports women in construction as well as all of the philanthropic efforts I do in the community.”