Equal Opportunity for Women in Roofing

FROM LEFT: Carmen Bodden, vice president of Roofing, CertainTeed; Michelle Boykin, COO of Rackley Roofing; Christine Mockenhaupt, regional asset manager, SRS Distribution; and Curtis Sutton, president of Rackley Roofing. Each will bring their unique perspective to a panel discussion on how to recruit more women in the roofing industry, and how to empower them once they're in.

Contributed by Sharp Think

From the C-suite to those at the helm of leading contractor companies, women are a rising force in the roofing industry. From 2014 to 2019, the number of construction firms owned by women grew by 64%, with women holding executive positions at 44% of the top 100 construction companies. Yet, from the tradespeople perspective, only 4.6% of all roofers are female. It’s time to get more women on the roof.

Curated for the 2023 International Roofing Expo by CertainTeed, a leading North American manufacturer of sustainable building materials, “Unlocking the Value and Power of Women in the Roofing Industry” features an accomplished group of female and male leaders from manufacturing, distribution and contracting. The dynamic panel will explore the opportunities that the industry has to overcome the gender disparities along with the vast opportunities already available. It will also answer the ultimate question: How can the roofing industry benefit from growing the female footprint and how do we get there?

Roofing Contractor’ Editor-in- Chief, Art Aisner, will moderate a conversation with Carmen Bodden, CertainTeed vice president of Roofing; Christine Mockenhaupt, regional asset manager of SRS Distribution; Michelle Boykin, COO of Rackley Roofing and chair of NWIR; Curtis Sutton, president of Rackley Roofing, also joins the panel to tackle various topics, including gender diversity in the workplace, male allies and unconscious bias, mentorship and recruitment needs across the industry, and more.

“As a female in a leadership position within the male-dominated roofing industry, I know firsthand the obstacles we have to overcome when first entering into the industry,” said Bodden. “But I also know all of the opportunities available to help get women into roofing. There are so many trailblazers before us, and I am excited to share my experience and perspective as a female in the roofing industry to encourage others to do the same.”

There are many female organizations available that support getting women into the workforce, including National Women in Roofing, a volunteer-based organization that supports and advances the careers of all women in roofing, and also provides networking, mentoring, education, and industry recruitment opportunities. It’s important to encourage participation and networking to get more women involved in the industry in a more involved, hands-on capacity.

Those in attendance will have the chance to hear various perspectives on these important touchpoints, as well as hear first-hand accounts of personal experiences from these incredible women who have worked their way to the top, breaking glass ceilings along the way, and forging a path for women across the industry.

WHAT YOU WILL GET

The best practices in working and collaborating together in order to bridge the gender divide.
Ideas on how to leverage female talent and perspective in order to drive profitability and provide a cutting edge over the competition.
A new understanding of the tools and benefits of recruiting and creating a more diversified workforce.