Annie Scog Is Building Healthier Homes And Driving Industry Transparency

Annie’s path into construction was sparked by a personal turning point – when her cat developed an endocrine disease linked to toxic exposures in the home. That experience ignited her mission to transform how we design and build, ensuring that health and wellbeing are placed at the core of every project.

Today, Annie is a Building Biologist, consultant, and educator, leading the charge for healthier, non-toxic spaces through her consulting practice and her Certified Healthy Building Professional program. As the founder of the Transparency Movement™, she is also a global voice calling for ingredient-level disclosure in building materials, pushing for the same accountability already expected in food and cosmetics.

Annie’s leadership blends science, empathy, and advocacy, making her a powerful force in reshaping construction culture. Through her work and her new ambassador role, she is opening doors for women, mentoring the next generation, and building a legacy where sustainability, inclusivity, and human health are non-negotiables in the built environment.

• Entered the construction industry after a deeply personal experience when her cat’s illness revealed the hidden dangers of toxic building materials, igniting her mission to create healthier homes and communities.
• Established the Transparency Movement™, a global initiative advocating for ingredient-level disclosure in building materials, pushing the construction sector towards the same accountability seen in food and cosmetics.
• Educator and mentor, delivering the Certified Healthy Building Professional program, equipping industry professionals with the tools to put health and sustainability at the centre of construction.
• Has overcome the dual challenge of working in a male-dominated industry and navigating the lack of transparency in building products, establishing herself as a respected voice grounded in science, ethics, and advocacy.
• Advocates for visibility and inclusivity, ensuring women see themselves represented not only on worksites but in leadership and innovation roles across the built environment.
• Champions systemic change through mentoring, policy influence, and advocacy for inclusive site practices, training programs, and stronger networks to support women entering construction.
• Leads with clarity, preparation, and calm persistence, using facts, evidence, and solutions to make her voice heard and drive meaningful conversations across the industry.
• Believes that buildings are more than structures — they are living environments that profoundly impact human health — a philosophy shaped by mentors such as Prof. Dr Anton Schneider and Dr Nicole Bijlsma.
• Aspires to leave a legacy where health and wellbeing are as fundamental to construction as cost and aesthetics, inspiring future generations of women to pursue careers that protect both people and the planet.

“Transparency isn’t optional, it’s the foundation of trust in building healthy futures.”

In this feature, Annie Scog shares her journey of personal discovery, entrepreneurial leadership, and her commitment to creating healthier and more inclusive construction spaces, while opening doors for the women who follow.

Can you share your journey into the construction industry? What inspired you to pursue this career, and what is your current role?

My journey into the construction industry was born out of both necessity and passion. It began when my young cat developed an endocrine disease that could not be explained by genetics alone. As I dug deeper, I discovered how profoundly indoor environments and toxic exposures hidden in everyday building materials can affect both human and animal health. That personal experience became a wake-up call: if my home could impact the wellbeing of my pet, what risks were families unknowingly facing?

This set me on a path to study building biology, Passivhaus design, and sustainable construction. Today, I work as a Building Biologist, consultant, and educator, helping homeowners, designers, and builders create healthier, non-toxic spaces. My role has expanded beyond consulting into education, where I train professionals through my Certified Healthy Building Professional program, ensuring the next generation of leaders places health and sustainability at the core of every project.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as a woman in construction, and how have you successfully navigated it?

The greatest challenge I have faced has been twofold: working in a male-dominated industry while confronting the lack of transparency in building materials. Too often, I discovered how little information is disclosed about the chemicals and toxins hidden in products we use every day. This absence of clear labelling creates enormous barriers for homeowners, designers, and even industry professionals who want to make healthier choices. At the same time, being one of the few women in the room often meant needing to prove my expertise more than my male counterparts.

To navigate this, I founded The Transparency Movement™, an initiative advocating for ingredient-level disclosure in building materials like the standards already expected in food and cosmetics. By championing this cause, I have built credibility not just as a woman in construction but as a leader pushing for systemic change. Grounding my work in science, ethics, and advocacy has given me both a strong voice and a clear purpose in a space where silence, greenwashing, and male dominance once set the tone.

Looking ahead, The Transparency Movement™ will also expand to sponsor and support women entering trades, ensuring the next generation has both the tools and opportunities to thrive in an industry that urgently needs their voices.

What do you think are the most significant barriers preventing more women from entering the construction industry, and how can ambassadors like yourself help break down these barriers?

The biggest barriers are visibility, confidence, and cultural norms. Too often, women don’t see themselves represented in leadership roles or on worksites, which makes entry feel intimidating. There’s also the myth that construction is purely physical, rather than recognising the enormous need for creativity, technical knowledge, and problem-solving. Ambassadors play a vital role in breaking down these barriers by being visible examples, mentoring younger women, and sharing stories that prove there is space for women in every corner of the industry.

What strategies do you use to make your voice heard among the few women on worksites or in meetings?

I have found that clarity, preparation, and calm persistence are key. I always come into a meeting with facts, solutions, and clear reasoning, which makes it harder to dismiss my input. I also don’t shy away from speaking up early in discussions, setting the tone that my perspective matters. And where possible, I build alliances with allies who also value inclusivity, so my voice is reinforced, not isolated.

What actions or initiatives would you suggest creating more inclusive spaces for women in the construction industry?

We need to normalise flexible pathways into construction, create stronger mentoring networks, and raise awareness about non-traditional roles, such as building science, sustainability, and materials health, which are often overlooked. On a practical level, I’d love to see more training programs designed for women, inclusive site practices (such as PPE and facilities that consider women), and industry campaigns that celebrate female leadership in construction.

What impact do you hope to achieve through your role as a Women Building NSW Female Ambassador, and what legacy would you like to leave for future generations?

I hope to show that construction can be a pathway to creating healthier, more sustainable communities. My goal is to leave a legacy where health and wellbeing are as fundamental to construction as cost and aesthetics. For future generations, I want to normalise the idea that building biology and healthy design are not niche, but essential. If my work inspires even a handful of young women to pursue careers where they can both build and protect human health, I will have succeeded.

Who has been a key mentor or role model in your journey male or female and how have they influenced your career and leadership style?

Prof. Dr Anton Schneider, one of the pioneers of building biology, has been a guiding influence for me, even indirectly through his writings and philosophy. His work taught me that buildings are more than structures; they are living environments that deeply shape human health. His holistic perspective encouraged me to blend science with empathy, which has defined my leadership style: rigorous in evidence, but always human-focused.

I have also been fortunate to learn directly from Dr Nicole Bijlsma, CEO of ACES, whose dedication to advancing building biology in Australia has been both inspiring and deeply formative. Her mentorship reinforced the importance of grounding advocacy in science and standing strong in the face of industry resistance.

Additionally, the team at the Building Biology Institute (BBI) in America has played a pivotal role in shaping my journey. Their global perspective and continued commitment to education and professional standards have given me a broader vision for how building biology can influence construction practices worldwide.

Together, these mentors have instilled in me a leadership style that balances scientific rigour, ethical responsibility, and human connection qualities I now strive to pass on to others through my ambassador and educational roles.

Can you share a formative experience that shaped your leadership vision and approach? How has this influenced your role as an ambassador in mentoring and supporting others?

One formative moment was when I realised how many homeowners were unknowingly exposing their families to harmful materials during renovations. I saw the fear and confusion in their eyes when they discovered the risks, but also their relief when they had clear guidance. That experience taught me the power of education and empathy in leadership. As an ambassador, it has driven me to mentor with patience, to empower through knowledge, and to always lead with compassion.

What milestones has the construction industry achieved in advancing gender equality, and what initiatives or changes would you like to see to make it more inclusive and welcoming for women?

The industry has made progress in highlighting women’s voices through ambassador programs, awards, and inclusion initiatives. We now see women in leadership roles where they were once absent. But true equality still requires deeper change: pay equity, more women in technical and trade pathways, and stronger accountability for workplace culture. I would like to see a shift where inclusivity is measured not by token participation, but by genuine balance at all levels of decision-making.

What is your advice for women considering a career in construction, and how can ambassadors like yourself help make their journey smoother?

My advice is: don’t let fear of being “the only one” stop you. The construction industry needs diverse voices, and your perspective is invaluable. Equip yourself with knowledge, find mentors, and back yourself with confidence. Ambassadors like me can make your journey smoother by being visible role models, opening doors to networks, and advocating for inclusive policies. You don’t have to walk this path alone. There is a growing community of women ready to support you.