Women at WIRC

Why Transitioning Service Members Might Solve Construction's Hiring Crisis

Labor remains a critical challenge in residential construction. We just don't have enough boots on the ground. At the same time, thousands of service members are transitioning into civilian life each year. With the exact discipline and leadership skills that the trades are seeking.
Joining us today are two people working to bridge that gap. Torri Broderick manages military and veteran services at the Home Builders Institute, which provides tuition free training in the building trades. Jess Maldonado is a carpentry instructor there and a longtime residential trade professional in her own right. She trains former military members and prepares them for life on a job site. 

Rebuilding Better and Stronger Communities

In this episode of Women at WIRC, you'll hear from three women working in rebuilding and recovery in different parts of the country. DXA Studio's Allysa Taylor, lowernine.org's Laura Paul, and KAA Design Group's Lisa Copeland, share their stories, experiences, and strategies that help them create thriving communities in the aftermath of disaster. 

Wellness is About More Than Amenities, With Liz Miles of WELL for Residential

We spend 90% of our time indoors—but how much thought do we give to how our homes affect our health?
In this episode, Pauline Hammerbeck sits down with Liz Miles, Vice President of Residential at the International Well Building Institute (IWBI), to explore how the built environment passively impacts our wellbeing every single day—from the air we breathe to the lighting we're exposed to, the water we drink, and even that noisy neighbor next door.
Liz shares her 12-year journey with IWBI, from the 2015 launch of the commercial WELL Building Standard to the development of WELL for Residential—a certification program specifically designed for homes, not just offices. She breaks down why residences needed their own approach (hint: raising kids and sleeping are very different from working), and reveals the surprising results from their pilot program.

Failing Forward: Do's and Don'ts of Launching a Construction Service Division

In this episode of Women at WIRC, Mary Peters, founder of Sasquatch Contracting in Boise, Idaho, shares how failing twice helped her build a successful new service division, Yeti Services. It's a candid look at missteps, lessons learned, and, ultimately, how those failures ultimately shaped a healthier, more consistent business model.
This episode is a great roadmap for others looking to looking to diversify, find new sources of revenue, and address underserved needs in their community.
 

Michal Porter on Building Products that Lower Environmental Impact

In our latest episode of Women at WIRC, Michal Porter, senior lead scientist at Dupont's performance building solutions business, including their Corian Design brand, spoke with us about her work in advancing sustainable building materials and practices and what other businesses can do to lower their own impact.

Sara Jorgensen on Designing Homes For Everyone

Sara Jorgensen, senior designer at Harrell Design + Build believes that homes should be designed to adapt with owners as they age. In this episode of the Women at WIRC podcast, Jorgensen discusses the pros of universal design for all homeowners, no matter their age or ability. 

The Rise of the Construction Concierge with Melissa Kennedy

In this episode, Pauline Hammerbeck of Custom Builder talks with Melissa Kennedy, president of Meadowlark Design Build in Southeast Michigan, about the evolution of project management in custom homebuilding. They discuss the rise of the “construction concierge” model, how client expectations have changed post-COVID, and strategies for delivering high-touch service without burning out your team. Melissa shares practical insights on client communication, plus tips on building strong relationships that support both project success and long-term trust.
Books Melissa recommends in this episode:
The Gift of Criticism by Bill Neely
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

Continuing Conversations After WIRC With Camille Jenkins

The 2025 Women in Residential Construction Conference wrapped on Sept. 26, but the work is not over. On the final day of the conference, attendees heard from Camille Jenkins, who provides coaching and consulting services through her business, Camille's Keys. 
Having attended WIRC over the past several years, Jenkins shares with audience members the importance of keeping conversations going and continuing to be inspired by other women even after the conference is over. 

The Post-Covid Home: What Fresh Research Reveals About Buyer Demands

In this episode of Women at WIRC, we sit down with Teri Slavik-Tsuyuki of tst ink and Nancy Keenen, CEO of Dahlin Architecture, Planning, and Interiors, to unpack the just-released findings from the America at Home Study.
The data shows what many in housing are missing: the pandemic permanently reshaped how people want to live. Affordability pressures, new household formations, and the rising demand for wellness-focused environments are redefining buyer priorities. Yet, much of the industry is still building for a market that no longer exists.
Slavik-Tsuyuki and Keenan reveal what today’s homeowners and buyers are actually asking for, and what builders, remodelers, and designers must understand to stay ahead.
 

Managing Client Expectations With Houzz's Liza Hausman

Liza Hausman, vice president of industry marketing at home remodeling and design platform Houzz, knows her way around the client. From understanding client expectations to helping housing industry professionals navigate ever-changing AI tools, Hausman has experience with it all.
In this episode of Women at WIRC, we talk with Hausman about her role at Houzz and how home builders can stay up to date on the latest marketing tools—and ultimately bring in the client.