Supporting the Professional Development of Women in the Roofing Industry is a Top Priority

Tremco and WTI team members are active in National Women in Roofing on both the local and the national level.

Tremco and WTI has many women involved in NWIR and is committed to encouraging their participation in the organization. The company recognizes the many benefits it’s employees will experience being a part of this organization.   Membership offers an opportunity to grow professionally with education and the opportunity to be or become a mentor to other women in the roofing industry.  that by being a part of this organization its employees will grow professionally, have additional opportunities for education, be able to experience a mentorship as well as perhaps be mentors to other women in the roofing industry.

Tremco believes so strongly in the organization that they came on board as a Founding sponsor and continue their support as a Diamond sponsor currently. In addition to financial support the company encourages their employees to be involved.  In fact, NWIR’s outgoing executive chair is Shari Carlozzi, WTI Safety Services Director. The company has allowed her to take the time that she needed to help lead the growth of NWIR to where it is today – at 1,125 members across the country.

We wanted to hear directly from some of Tremco and WTI’s employees about their involvement in their local NWIR Cleveland council, so we reached out to some of their team, including:

• Lisa Garcia, Cleveland Council Chair, WTI Technology Innovation Specialist
• Heather Rink, Cleveland Council Vice-Chair, WTI Program Manager
• Amie Grant, Cleveland Council Education Chair, WTI Education and Community Outreach Coordinator
• Tamara Roy, Cleveland Council Events Co-Chair, Tremco Roofing Customer Service

We asked the women to answer a few questions:

• Why is NWIR participation important for corporate culture?
• Why is it important to the careers of women? 
• How has it helped the business overall?

Their answers demonstrate how powerful being part of a professional organization is for women in business. Here is what they had to say.  

Over the years Lisa Garcia has seen some real changes taking place in the industry.  Lisa says, “There is a growing number of women in high-powered positions now and that can’t be ignored. With more female voices leading and being heard, the corporate culture will expand its idea base, opening opportunities for innovation and growth from previously untapped potential”

Lisa also understands the importance of mentorship, which is a large part of the NWIR mission.  Again, here is Lisa:  

“The support system provided by NWIR is so encouraging and educational. The mentoring opportunities especially, in my opinion, help women to feel empowered and gives them strength to trudge on and be successful in their careers. Plus, when women are empowered, their entire lives can change for the better. When you feel strong and supported in one aspect of your life, it helps you to project that into all aspects of your life.”

The power of organizations like NWIR to encourage women to look at roofing and the impact women can make to an organization is also important to Lisa. 

“With the addition of new voices being heard, there comes with new ideas and with new ideas comes advancement. Like I said previously, there’s so much untapped potential out there because women have felt they couldn’t have a successful career in roofing, but with the support of NWIR, this will change. Businesses can grow when new people are brought in who have new ideas and look at things through a different lens than what’s been done for years. “

Heather Rink: It is important for us, as a council, to help set our industry apart from other male dominated industries by building a culture of collaboration rather than separation. When there is collaboration there is a mutual respect by both women and men to educate each other and work as a team. I’m proud to say that our local Cleveland council has multiple men involved because they see how important collaboration is for our industry.

Tamara Roy: Roofing is a male dominated field.  Rarely does one see or hear about female roofers.  NWIR, as well as other non-traditional occupational organizations geared towards women, brings awareness and opportunity to promote change. 

It is important for corporate culture to embrace these organizations because it will allow companies to completely utilize and leverage the full capabilities of the entire workforce. NWIR is comprised of volunteers; people who are doing this because they want to be part of the solution.  We are all working together to promote and recognize the leadership, strengths and contributions of women.  Through networking and mentoring we provide resources necessary for success in the workplace.  There is enough research that shows women are effective leaders.  The workplace benefits from diversity and inclusion when EVERYONE is viewed as having value. 

Amie Grant: Any opportunity to both celebrate and learn from other women is a win for everyone!  As women, it is so important for us to make time to connect with each other.  There is so much we can learn from each other’s experiences and ideas and the chance to do that in the workplace can really help to recharge and refocus our efforts moving forward.

Supporting the women working in the roofing industry and encouraging more to consider the industry as a viable career option will only deliver positive benefits back to your business and your employees.

If you are interested in getting involved with NWIR (membership is open to both men and women) you can learn more about this great organization on their website.  

Learn more about a career at Tremco, WTI and scholarship opportunities.