2026 CCDI PHOENIX
COMMUNITY BUILDER
Building The Foundation For Change Since 2015
OUR STORY
In 2015, Clayco founded the Construction Career Development Initiative (CCDI) in response to the aftermath of Ferguson, Missouri. What began as a commitment to support selected underrepresented students in North St. Louis County—through mentorship, financial support, and direct job placement opportunities —has grown into something much bigger.
CCDI was created to remove barriers to success. Clayco’s vision was clear: promote workforce diversity, bridge the gap in workforce development, and build real, sustainable career pathways in the construction industry. Clayco also recognized early on that this work could not be done alone.
Over the past decade, CCDI has grown beyond the walls of Clayco —partnering with school districts, workforce development programs, general contractors, subcontractors, unions, and community leaders. What started as a local response to a moment in history has evolved into a national movement. And the mission has never been more important.
OUR IMPACT
Since launching in Phoenix in 2021, CCDI has expanded its reach and strengthened its local workforce pipeline. To date, CCDI has awarded 11 Build Our Future Scholarships totaling $53,000, with additional scholarships planned for 2026 to further support students pursuing construction-related degrees and trade certifications.
We have built strong partnerships with Phoenix Bioscience High School, The Academies at South Mountain, Superstition High School, South Mountain Community College and Arizona State University—creating clear pathways from education to employment. CCDI has also donated construction materials and tools, organized jobsite tours and company visits, and connected students directly with industry professionals. By combining scholarships and hands-on exposure, CCDI is helping underrepresented and underemployed young adults not only enter the construction industry—but succeed and be retained in it.
STUDENTS
CCDI students in our Phoenix program
$53,000
11 SCHOLARSHIPS Amount awarded in scholarships
PHOENIX PROGRAM METRICS
BUILD OUR FUTURE SCHOLARSHIPS
INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF BUILDERS
The Build Our Future Scholarship is CCDI’s commitment to removing financial barriers and creating clear pathways into construction-related careers. The scholarship supports high-achieving seniors who plan to pursue degrees or trade certifications in construction management, engineering, architecture, skilled trades, and related fields.
Since launching in Phoenix, CCDI has awarded 11 Build Our Future Scholarships totaling $53,000, with additional scholarships planned for 2026. Our first recipients were recognized during a special visit to the Skye on 6th project, where they had spent two school years watching the building rise floor by floor. Outstanding seniors were surprised with scholarship awards to continue their education in construction-related majors.
Build Our Future Scholarships support students attending partner institutions such as Arizona State University, South Mountain Community College, and other accredited programs aligned with the construction industry. Through financial support, mentorship, and career connections, CCDI Phoenix is helping students move from the classroom into meaningful careers in construction.
BUILD OUR FUTURE SCHOLARS
DANIELLA WALKER
Arizona State University Architecture
CARLOS OROZCO
The Refrigeration School Welding
DIEGO PEREZ JIMENEZ
Arizona State University
Construction Management
SAMANTHA GALVAN
Davidson College Civil Engineering & Physics
South Mountain Community Civil Engineering
ALEXANDRA
Arizona State University
ANGEL VEGA
Arizona State University
Construction Management
SCOTTIE ADKINS
KAESY DIAZ
JOEL SANCHEZ OLIVAS
ON-SITE LEARNING
CLAYCO JOBSITE TOURS
CCDI is designed to give students direct exposure to the real world of commercial construction. Through guided jobsite visits and company tours, students see firsthand how projects come together, from planning and coordination to the skilled work happening in the field. Experiencing
COMPANY TOURS
POWER DESIGN
In November 2025, Power Design led a presentation on electrical systems for CCDI students, giving them a firsthand look at the work of commercial electricians. Students also learned how to read blueprints and were introduced to construction technology used in the field. Thank you to the Power Design crew for sharing their expertise!
KOVACH SYSTEMS TOUR
In January 2026, CCDI students from Superstition High School in Mesa Public Schools visited Kovach for an immersive field trip where classroom learning met real-world construction. Thank you to Tierney Encinias and the Kovach team for hosting a behind-the-scenes tour and providing hands-on exposure to welding, glass, and glazing, along with a great discussion about careers in the industry.
LJC & CONCRETE STRATEGIES
In November 2025, CCDI students toured the Phoenix Clayco office for a hands-on learning experience. Students heard presentations on safety, concrete construction, architecture, and electrical systems—offering a look at the many roles and skills that bring construction projects to life. Thank you to LJC and Concrete Strategies for helping participate in the event.
IN THE CLASSROOM
SUPERSTITION
HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
CCDI partnered with White Cap to support a senior project at Superstition High. CCDI donated materials and PPE, while White Cap generously provided the tools students used to construct a shed. Thank you to White Cap for supporting hands-on learning and helping make this senior project possible!
CCDI SPOTLIGHT
BRYONNA ALLEN
CLAYCO VDC TECH SHOWCASE
Clayco’s VDC team showcased BIM and drone technology used on our jobsites to construction and engineering students at the Academies at South Mountain in Phoenix. Students learned how digital modeling, coordination, and aerial data help teams plan projects, improve safety, and monitor progress in real time—giving them
Bryonna Allen serves as Coordinator of Public/Private Initiatives for Clayco and has been a driving force behind the success of the CCDI Phoenix Initiative. Over the past several years, Bryonna has played a key role in building strong community partnerships and creating meaningful opportunities for students to explore careers in construction.
Before stepping into her current role, Bryonna worked with Concrete Strategies as a Recruitment Specialist in the St. Louis office. She has been part of the Clayco family for nearly four years and brings passion, organization, and a deep development to everything she does. Bryonna earned her degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and is also fluent in Spanish—an ability that helps her connect with and support a broader community.
Bryonna has truly been the driving force behind CCDI’s growth in the Southwest Region. From coordinating student engagement to organizing major initiatives like the annual golf tournaments, her leadership and dedication continue to make a lasting impact. Thank you, Bryonna for helping CCDI to continue to
THANK YOU 2026 SPONSORS
Thank you to all of our incredible sponsors who supported the 2026 CCDI Golf Fundraiser. Your generosity plays a vital role in advancing CCDI’s mission to create opportunities through scholarship, mentoring, community, and inclusion. Because of your support, we can continue exposing students to careers in construction, strengthening workforce development, and investing in the next generation of industry leaders.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Make an impact in the Phoenix community by partnering with CCDI. We work with companies that want to support workforce development by offering internships, mentorship, career opportunities, and industry engagement. Join our network of partners and help build the next generation of Phoenix’s workforce.
This program would not be possible without our partnerships with local companies. Connect with us if your company is interested in hosting student tours, jobsite visits or providing job shadowing experiences.
To make an online donation please visit www.ccdi.org
The CONSTRUCTION CAREER DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (CCDI) brings diversity to the Design and Construction industry by mentoring and exposing underrepresented students to career development in construction.
For more information, contact:
BRYONNA ALLEN
Public/Private Initiatives Coordinator, Clayco
e allenb@claycorp.com
p 618.855.4920
BRYAN ZEHNDER
Vice President of Operations, Clayco e zehnderb@Claycorp.com
p 314.315.3942
RACHEL BOEMER
CCDI Program Director
e RachelBoemer@ccdi.org
p 314.258.2460
ONLINE
Stay connected with CCDI by visiting our website, ccdi.org, or follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ccdicommunity, or Linked In, @ccdicommunity
Check out our 10-year Anniversary Book to learn more about our nationwide impact!