Rising together

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how NWiR brings women and others in the industry together to empower one another.  

In an episode of Roofing Road Trips®, the executive committee of National Women in Roofing (NWiR) visited with host Megan Ellsworth to discuss the organization’s plans for 2024! Previous chair Michelle Boykin, current committee chair Jennifer Keegan, vice chair Anna Anderson, secretary Christine Mockenhaupt and treasurer Christee Holbrook shared their latest insights on the NWiR’s plans for the year. Beyond their work with NWiR, these women are excelling in the industry in their day-to-day businesses. Christee is the owner of Graham Roofing in West Point, Mississippi and Anna owns the marketing agency Art Unlimited. Michelle is Rackley Roofing’s chief operating officer; Christine works at SRS Distribution Inc., and Jennifer is the senior director of building and roofing sciences at GAF. 

Through their work at NWiR, they are pushing the industry forward, helping both women and men feel empowered on and off the roof. One of the ways they are trying to expand the industry to include more talented people is through their NWiR Days event. This year’s event happened at the beginning of February, and featured Dr. Kimberly Hardin as the keynote speaker. Jennifer explained the reasoning behind this choice, “We really wanted her to hit home the point of how we can all really advance in the industry collectively by leveraging allies and advocates.”  

Anna added that they introduced a Spanish track at this year’s event. She shared, “We have a full segment of classes that are dedicated to making sure that we have diversity for our audience.” In addition to multilingual classes, they had live translation of the keynote speaker! NWiR works day in and day out throughout the year to create spaces for women in the industry to network and support each other. Christine explained, “I go back to when we started National Women in Roofing. Roofing is the common denominator that draws us together and there's so many different aspects of being in this together and being able to empower each other.” Michelle added her thoughts, saying, “Before we had National Women in Roofing, we were alone, we were forging our own path.” Now they are walking side-by-side, supported. Christee summed up NWiR’s goals, simply describing it as “elite women rising and thriving together.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about NWiR and their work.