LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Happy 2022!!! I’m looking forward to seeing your faces at NWIR Day on January 30th in New Orleans. As I mentioned last month, we have some amazing sessions lined up, keynote speaker, demos, headshots, a TikTok station, and time to get caught up with old friends and make new. Please take a moment to register and join us. Register here
I would like to thank you all for continuing to be a part of NWIR. I was asked the other day, “Has NWIR made a difference in your life/career?” and my immediate answer was “Yes”. I have met so many amazing people in our industry (and some outside) that I would have never had the opportunity to meet and have made amazing friendships. I love that I can pick up the phone like the game show and “phone a friend (or two or three)” to get a specific answer or get pointed in the right direction. Without all of you, I wouldn’t have had that in my network. I would also like to thank my boss who introduced me to Heidi Ellsworth, Shari Carlozzi, Jennifer Stone, and Ellen Thorp, the pioneers of NWIR, as they have allowed me a magical growth opportunity within our industry. Think about the difference NWIR has made in your life/career and pass it on to others. Share this opportunity with others you know…you never know where the road will take you.
I hope you can join us for NWIR Day. If you can, bring your friends along. Looking forward to seeing you all soon!
Renae Bales, KPost Roofing & Waterproofing
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 DIVERSITY, EQUITY &
INCLUSION
Rae July, Chinook Roofing; NWiR DEI Committee Co-Chair
Jess Cress, Bone Dry Roofing Company; NWiR DEI Committee Co-Chair
Meredith Marsh-Shaevitz, Pitch Perfect Roofing; NWIR DEI Committee Vice Chair
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Welcome all to 2022! What a year 2021 was for all of us! It was a year of firsts and a year of lasts for a lot in our industry. Together we faced soars of demand and material shortages. We faced all of the things that COVID brought along for the 2nd year. We saw changes in labor and in availability. We have seen changes in nearly everything within our industry and further into our world.
Last year was the first full year of the DEI committee. First and foremost, we would like to thank NWIR for seeing the importance of this committee and the opportunity we’ve been granted to spearhead our industry into its future. Read more...
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 EDUCATION
Maureen Greeves, Tremco; NWiR Education Committee Chair
Erica Faver, Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.; NWiR Education Committee Vice Chair
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As we start a new year the Education Committee would like to send a huge thank you out to all those who helped make 2021 a success. Throughout the year we were fortunate to have many companies, members, entrepreneurs and business owners donate time and talent. It would be difficult to recognize them all, so here are some standouts from the year. First, our very own committee member Jae Horbacz who worked each month to research and secure information focused on advancing the NWiR members technical knowledge and expertise. Read more...
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 MENTORING
Kelley Caron, OMG Roofing Products; NWiR Mentoring Committee Chair
Kyrah Coker, National Roofing Partners; NWiR Mentoring Committee Vice Chair
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Anna Anderson
 When you were starting out did you have a mentor, and if so was it someone you sought out or they found you?
I was blessed to have parents who allowed me to be an entrepreneur at a young age. They supported many adventures and as entrepreneurs themselves they provided me with tools most children and young adults would not have access to. By the time I was 16, my sisters and I had already negotiated deals with a bank for capital. We were ordering semi loads of product for our customers and working closely with our local SBA on a business plan. These adventures and the watchful eye of my loving parents were my mentors growing up. Read more...
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 RECRUITMENT
Brenna Driver, Owens Corning; NWiR Recruitment Committee Chair
Paula Felix, AMS; Recruitment Committee Vice Chair
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Why 2022 Is Primed to Be the Year for Recruitment Into the Roofing Industry
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With more than half (59%) of Americans rethinking their careers and transitioning paths, our industry is in a great position to attract new talent that would have skipped over our numerous rewarding and flexible career choices. Read more...
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 COUNCILS
Christine Mockenhaupt, SRS Distribution Inc.; NWiR Councils Committee Chair
Mary Beth Reed, GAF; NWiR Councils Committee Vice Chair
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If you have been part of a successful council startup, consider joining the NWIR Councils committee. We meet regularly with councils across the country who are looking for guidance and support to get their own local councils established. Your insight and wisdom will go a long way toward helping others find success. If you are interested, please contact the Councils Committee Chairs at councils@nationalwomeninroofing.org.
Here’s what some of our councils have been up to lately:
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NWiR Northern New Jersey Council
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Wrapping up the year with holiday cheer was the tone for the last yearly meeting of the Northern NJ Council, held Wednesday, December 15th at the Grand Saloon in Clifton, NJ. The ladies gathered together over a delicious meal, and drinks as they looked back at the accomplishments of 2021. Despite the pandemic and another year of primarily virtual get-togethers, the council managed to achieve its goals. Read more...
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NWiR Dallas Fort Worth Council
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Roof Walk
 Thank you to all of you who joined us for our roof walk back in early December. Special thanks to KPost and Beck for making it happen and giving us a spectacular tour!
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 Spreading holiday cheer!
For the 2nd year in a row, the NWiR Oregon Council came together to bring 6 young women a beautiful Christmas. Anisa’s Place is a shelter, the group helped put a roof on 2 years ago. It is a six-bedroom home that houses girls and young women who have been caught up in sex trafficking, abuse, and exploitation.
 “Anisa’s Place is very dear to our hearts” Community Outreach Chair, Stephanie Baird says. “This outreach program supports our mission and goals of helping women and girls through mentoring, education, recruitment and networking. We couldn’t be any prouder to support this organization”. The group met for coffee the morning before dropping off the gifts. The local coffee shop owner eventually joined in, listening to their story and feeling inspired by how powerful a small group of women can be.
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The Philly Council New Year Resolution….GET THIS COUNCIL OUT OF FIRST GEAR!
We are kicking off the year with a virtual planning meeting, January 13th at 12:30pm. Please contact Barb McDonough if you are interested in participating in the call or would like to share ideas. barbara.a.mcdonough@saint-gobain.com Thanks!
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 The Columbus Council had a great time celebrating the holidays with each other and significant others at Watershed Distillery. Before dinner, we had an exciting time at Escape Room Columbus! Thank you so much to our sponsor for our event, John Kiesel and Division 7 Roofing. We had a fantastic night. Happy New Year to all NWiR members from central Ohio!
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NWiR Charlotte Metro Council
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 Charlotte Metro held a volunteer event at Operation Christmas Child in Charlotte NC on 12/15/2021. The event was a success and some new friendships were created.
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 SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS
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Marketing Residential Roofing to Women
 When it comes to roof purchases, each homeowner is unique. But all homeowners want to feel listened to and respected when making a roofing decision. And that of course, includes women buyers. How can contractors build trust, establish credibility, and serve as a design resource when selling to women?
To address these questions and more, Sue Burkett, marketing manager at Owens Corning joined Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited for a conversation with Roofing magazine editor Chris King. The conversation was shared in a Roofing article and can be listened to in “episode 2” of the “Roofing: The Industry’s Voice” podcast.
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 SHAPING OUR FUTURE
Celebrating women and their accomplishments
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 Forbes announced the final installment of 250 entrepreneurs on the Forbes Next 1000. One of our own, Kristina Hill, co-owner of HomeShield Roofing & Exteriors is on the list!!! These inspiring entrepreneurs and small business leaders—many from diverse, underrepresented communities are redefining what it means to build and run a business amid the new normal. Congratulations to Kristina Hill, today we celebrate your success!
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 NWiR DAY
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Have you registered for NWiR Day?
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 We are hosting the fifth annual National Women in Roofing Day in person in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 30th in advance of IRE. By attending, you will connect, discover, and cultivate new relationships with roofing professionals.
On Monday, January 31st, NWiR has an activity for you to participate in called Books, Balance and Brunch. Join other NWiR attendees for a Restorative Yoga Session led by Mandy McIntyre and a discussion on So You Want to Talk About Race led by Rae July. Attendees will then head to a dutch treat brunch at a local restaurant. The time for this activity is approximately 9am - 1pm.
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International Roofing Expo
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Register now for the 2022 International Roofing Expo. Speaking of in-person events, after you register for the fifth annual NWiR Day, head on over to the IRE page and register for the 2022 International Roofing Expo too. Three days, tons of education sessions, product demonstrations, and an expo floor that is an education session in and of itself! Education sessions will include such topics as Revolutionary Marketing Techniques, Casting the Net for Your Future Workforce, and the NWiR Education Session The Sales Pitch for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: What Contractors Can Do Today to Improve Employee Recruitment and Retention.
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 Speaking of professional development, go ahead and save the date for the 2022 IIBEC Annual Convention which includes 17 hours of live, in-person educational seminars, a two-day trade show, and live product demonstrations. Scheduled for March 17-22 in Orlando, Florida the conference will include presentations on topics such as Testing Built-up and Modified Bitumen Roofs for Hail Damage; Air Barriers, Vapor Barriers, and Water-Resistive Barriers; and Wind Resistance of Standing Seam Roofs and Their Interaction with Roof-Mounted Solar Panels.
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 EVENTS, WEBINARS &
MEETINGS
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