Women at WIRC

Laura Burnes is the director of project planning and design at Adams + Beasley Associates in Carlisle, Mass. On this episode, Laura delves into her approach to leadership and project management, which relies on an emphasis of effective communication, in addition to sharing insights into the company's winning culture. Laura shares insights into conflict resolution, communication styles, and the com...

Remodeling goes through ups and downs, depending on the economy. It’s inevitable. But not everyone can withstand those ups and downs. But Medford Remodeling can, as long as they follow their plans. The company uses its airtight systems, detailed analytic tracking, and thorough scale up and scale down plans to prep for contraction and expansion. On this episode of Women at WIRC, CEO Kourtney Davis...

On this episode of Women at WIRC, Alison McLennan joins us to talk about making the decision to strategically grow a remodeling business. Though McLennan co-founded the business, McLennan Contracting (https://www.mclennancontracting.com/), with her husband, she remained in a supporting role for the first 15 years of operation. But five years ago, when the two decided it was time to either shut the...

Dolores Davis of CG&S Design-Build (https://www.cgsdb.com/) joins us on this episode of Women at WIRC. Dolores chats about her approach to transitioning out of the business through developing leadership teams. We talk about the best ways to get buy in from employees, why this approach works for her company, and what her role looks like as she transitions. Stay updated on all things women in co...

Jessica Cargile is the Co-Owner & CFO of North Ridge Contracting Inc, a Custom Home Design/Build firm operating out of North Idaho, which she and her husband Dale own and operate together. That dynamic requires an ongoing effort to strike a healthy work/life balance, especially when running a business in challenging times. Learn more: North Ridge Contracting: https://www.homesbynorthridge.com/...

As head of marketing, operations, and investor relations at Togal. AI, Karlie Fike is introducing artificial intelligence to the home building industry as a tool that she says isn't meant to replace jobs, but to make them easier. "AI is not going to replace you, but the person using AI will be the one to replace you," says Fike. Learn more: Togal. AI: https://www.togal.ai/ Pro Builder: https://www...

Repeat and referrals are everything for a remodeling company, and with a great customer experience comes a great reputation. On this episode of Women at WIRC, Heather Tankersley of Tankersley Construction shares how she and her crew go the extra mile to ensure superb customer service. "One of the things we always talk about with with potential clients is, you can hire a guy in the truck, but is th...

Today, we’re defining profitable growth with April Bettinger of Nip Tuck Remodeling (https://niptuckremodel.com). Keep listening to learn more about April, her business, and key elements to successful financial planning. "that's really the mindset, I think that a lot of contractors don't have is that you can have 10% profit, no matter what you're doing, you just have to actually plan for it, it's...

Welcome back to Women at WIRC, a podcast featuring influential women in the residential construction industry, brought to you by Pro Remodeler and Pro Builder magazines. On this episode, we talk to Allison Iantosca, owner and president of F.H. Perry Builder. Allison recently published her first book, Leading with HEART, a collection of essays from her company newsletter reflecting on life and lead...

Welcome back to Women at WIRC, a podcast brought to you by Pro Remodeler and Pro Builder magazines. On this podcast, the editors talk to standout women in residential construction to highlight the vast experiences and expertise women in the industry offer. On this episode, we talk to lawyer Karalynn Cromeens. Listen to learn how to control the never ending punch list, a lawyer’s advice for handlin...

Diana Pauro loves process. The founder of Rebel Builders in Newton, Mass. brought much of her passion for process from the construction industry in Argentina. One way she improves process at her company is through applying lean thinking. We welcome Pauro this episode who talks to us all about how she runs lean process meetings, which involve every team member and concludes with leaner, more effici...

Welcome back to Women at WIRC, a podcast by Pro Remodeler and Pro Builder magazines highlighting standout women in residential construction. Today, we welcome a special guest, Emma Wilson. Emma is a 19-year-old foreman whose journey into carpentry was highlighted by Mike Rowe, and whose story garnered a lot of support online. This conversation shows a different perspective on what it's like to bot...

Anya Chrisanthon is the Chief Brand Officer at Anewgo. Anewgo helps home builders carry out their shopping journeys online with interactive digital content, data analytics, and sales conversion tools. Anya is a host of Anewgo of New Home Sales—a weekly podcast where she discusses the hottest innovative sales and marketing technologies for the home building industry. She brings her combined experie...

By asking the correct questions and listening at the correct times, you can filter out red flag clients fast. Allyson Anderson, owner of Chicago and Michigan-based Integro Builders, says it can be difficult for contractors to deny potential clients, but by doing so, contractors will save themselves time and money. On this episode of Women at WIRC, Anderson sits down with Pro Remodeler's Managing E...

Mollie Elkman is the owner and president of Group Two, a full-service marketing partner for home builders. She is the author of the best selling children’s book, The House That She Built, published by NAHB BuilderBooks in collaboration with The Professional Women in Building Council and NAHB’s workforce development team. She was recognized at The 2022 International Builders' Show as the National S...

Lisa Sten is CEO of the Palo Alto-based Harrell Remodeling. The iconic company is undergoing a rebrand, so Sten sits down with Pro Remodeler Managing Editor Caroline Broderick to give insight into the decision. "It is a namesake brand, but we're in many ways a different company, and in many ways, the same company," says Sten. Join Sten and hundreds of other women at the Women in Residential Constr...

Nancy Keenan has led expert design teams in the development of architectural and planning solutions across three decades and multiple continents. The president and CEO of DAHLIN Architecture | Planning | Interiors, Nancy is passionate about finding thoughtful, creative ways to infuse the soul of design and livability into residential projects while also addressing the realities of elusive housing...

Santa Barbara-based Allen Construction focuses on sustainable construction, and they've made it a strong part of their company culture. On this episode of Women at WIRC, CFO Lindsay Helmick talks the benefits of a uniting core value, strengthening it within the company, and women's role in sustainability. "Every year we'll survey what are people excited about. What makes you excited to come to wor...

On this episode of Women at WIRC, Lena McNally of HIVEX Basement Finishing Co. shares her perspective of her family company's ownership transition and how she made the company her own. Changes include going from an all-encompassing home improvement company to a specialty basement contractor—a result of recognizing an opportunity gap in her market. The outcome has benefitted the company's revenue,...

On this episode of Women at WIRC, Pro Remodeler's Director of Content Erika Mosse takes over with guest Jenny Rice, co-owner of Chicagoland-based Icon Building Group. Rice's work at Icon resulted in a 300% backlog increase in just two years, and on a day-to-day basis, she focuses on sales and design for the company's remodeling division—which she started from the ground up. Mosse chats with Rice a...

Stephanie Martin currently serves as the Controller of 84 Lumber Company. In this role, she is responsible for the controllership and financial reporting activities for 84 Lumber Company and its related entities. 84 Lumber is located in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania and is the nation's largest privately held supplier of building materials. As a female-led business, 84 Lumber is lauded for its inclusiv...

From graduating high school early as Valedictorian to getting hired at the Kennedy Space Station because of her persistence, Kareena Gray has always strived for finding the best and most efficient way to do things. This has allowed her to shine in residential construction and project management, and she recently won a CoTY award for project manager of the year at her local NARI chapter. "We always...

Cindy Cipriani loved working with her father on remodeling projects when she was young, and that upbringing spun into business ownerships, with the most recent being co-owner of Ciprani Remodeling Solutions. Cindy also happens to have a professional background in grief counseling and personal coaching, both of which come in handy as a designer and designer salesperson. She talks about handling har...

Nora El-Khouri Spencer didn’t come from a construction background, but her experience working in HR for Lowe’s gave her tools—literally—to start home repairs and eventually making renovations a side gig. Remodeling is where Nora’s strengths and passions were able to shine. She desired a way to become a “vessel of social change,” as she’s said, so she left Lowe’s and began grad school for social wo...

Lindy Oliva, president of PulteGroup’s Houston division, entered the industry through a finance position, but it was embracing each opportunity that came her way that got her to where she is today. After years as a residential construction leader, Lindy has settled into her own leadership style and as division president, she adds to PulteGroup’s nationally recognized work environment. She chats wi...