SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP) is officially accepting applications for speakers, moderators, and panelists for its upcoming Invest in Women Forum, scheduled for Thursday, January 21, 2027, at the Embassy Suites in San Marcos.
Founded to support and advance professionals in the architecture, engineering, construction, and capital project industries, I-LinCP hosts two major statewide conferences each year. Its winter event, the Invest in Women Forum, has quickly grown into one of the nonprofit's most sought-after gatherings.
Carol Warkoczewski, founder and CEO of I-LinCP, noted that the forum began as a small initiative and has scaled into a premier single-day event drawing roughly 150 industry leaders, public-sector officials, and trade professionals.
"Every year we have two forums. One of them is in January, and that's our Invest in Women forum, and it is focused on supporting women in our industry, and it's tremendously popular," Warkoczewski said, in a podcast with the RGG Business Journal. "Again, we started out small, and now we're about 150 people. It's a one-day event in San Marcos, and right now we're accepting applications for speakers and moderators, panels."
Warkoczewski emphasized that while the forum focuses on supporting female leaders across capital projects, public service, and skilled trades, the event is open to all professionals.
"It's open for men and women, by the way," Warkoczewski added. "We have a good handful of guys that attend, and they get a lot out of it too."
The theme for the 2027 Invest in Women Forum is "BECAUSE," framed around three core pillars: Because she can, Because we will, and Because it matters.
According to organizers, the theme highlights individual potential, collective responsibility, and long-term industry impact:
Because she can: Celebrating the talent, courage, and leadership of women shaping capital infrastructure and local communities.
Because we will: Committing to opening doors, investing in peer mentorship, and developing professional opportunities across Texas.
Because it matters: Recognizing that current industry investments directly influence the next generation of leadership.
The one-day program anchors its discussions on five primary pillars: Leadership, Mentorship, Ownership, Partnership, and Allyship.
Applications for speakers, panelists, and moderators are being accepted online at i-lincp.org. Warkoczewski urged interested industry leaders to submit their materials promptly.
"If you go to i-lincp.org... you'll see we have a banner there for upcoming events, and the Invest in Women Forum is on there. You can click on that and provide your application," Warkoczewski said. "I think those are due pretty soon, within a week or a week and a half or something like that, so get your application in quickly."
In addition to speaker submissions, I-LinCP will soon open separate applications for its Invest in Women Awards program. Building on its inaugural launch last year, the 2027 program plans to recognize leadership across approximately 10 distinct industry categories.
Beyond the January gathering in San Marcos, I-LinCP is gearing up for its annual Texas Public Owners Forum, set for August 2027 in San Antonio. Warkoczewski noted that an organizing committee is currently forming, with preliminary planning meetings kicking off this month.
Editor's Note: For more information on the Invest in Women Forum, speaker applications, or award nominations, visit i-lincp.org
Here is a podcast the RGG Business Journal conducted with Warkoczewski. The conversation focused on her group's history, mission statement, and ethics:
