Leveraging associations & chapters: Getting women and emerging leaders connected

RCS Influencer Ashley Pietsch says industry associations like the NWIR center relationships and mentorship to shape long-term success in the industry.

At Integrity Insurance & Bonding, we have seen firsthand the value that industry associations bring to both personal and professional growth, especially when it comes to getting women and emerging leaders connected. While roofing is built on craftsmanship and technical expertise, relationships and mentorship are equally important to the long-term success of the industry. That is one of the many reasons our agency has remained actively involved with National Women in Roofing (NWIR), specifically through the Oregon Council, for many years. 

NWIR’s mission is centered around four pillars: Networking, Education, Mentoring and Industry Recruitment. These are not just guiding principles; they are actively lived out within the Oregon Council and have made a meaningful impact on the women in our organization and across the industry. 

That impact is evident not only in individual professional growth, but also in the recognition the Oregon Council has earned on a national level. In 2025, the council received NWIR’s Council of Distinction Award, honoring excellence across all four pillars. Additionally, four members have earned the prestigious WORLD Award, including our marketing manager, Devri Pieratt, who received the honor in 2024. Since the award’s inception in 2020, the Oregon Council has produced four of only six total recipients nationwide – an extraordinary achievement that reflects the strength of its leadership, culture and commitment to elevating women in roofing. 

One of the strongest examples of this impact is the relationship between our vice president, Ashley Pietsch, and Devri Pieratt. When the two met, Ashley was the owner of Integrity Insurance and Devri was working for a local roofing contractor. Through NWIR Oregon, they later served together on the council leadership team. During that time, they developed a strong professional relationship built on collaboration, leadership and a shared passion for the industry. Not long after, Ashley recruited Devri to join Integrity. 

What began as a connection through NWIR evolved into a lasting professional partnership and friendship. As our involvement has grown, we have encouraged additional women from our company to join NWIR, and they, too, have found tremendous value in their memberships and the opportunities it provides. 

We have also proudly hosted many NWIR Oregon events and educational sessions at Integrity. Because we specialize in insuring roofing contractors, these gatherings create a valuable opportunity for deeper engagement with the industry. They allow us to build strong relationships while learning directly from contractors about their challenges and priorities. These conversations help us better understand their pain points and design insurance programs that are more responsive, relevant and effective. 

We are proud to remain actively involved with NWIR and committed to continuing our efforts to connect, support and elevate women and emerging leaders in the roofing industry.