It is Time for Roofing to Get REAL

By Cass Jacoby.  

National Women in Roofing (NWiR) takes on new DEI initiatives that are elevating the entire industry and ushering in a new generation of roofer.  

In a new Coffee Conversations, sponsored by CertainTeed, Heidi J. Ellsworth talks with executive director of National Women in Roofing (NWiR) Ellen Thorp, owner of Level Up Consultants Mandy McIntyre and Director of Steep-slope Operations at Chinook Building Envelope Services Rae July about the new diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) course from National Women in Roofing (NWiR). 

The new program, called REAL Roofing, teaches DEI essentials in a one-month interactive series that is available at reduced cost to any company looking to bolster their DEI initiatives and training. 

“The incoming talent, these next generations, Gen Z Millennials, are the most racially and ethnically, culturally diverse generations in history. So we need as an industry to reflect reality. And so that's why this program is so important to help your business attract that talent,” says Mandy. 

DEI training and lessons are more than just a workplace skill, they are fundamental life skills that hold us as a community accountable for being better. Building a better world and promoting societal change is hard work, but it is also our responsibility.  

 “We need to do what is best for our employees to create a positive culture in the roofing association. I wish so much that it was sufficient or that it was enough for everybody just to be nice to each other or everybody just to respect each other...that that was sufficient to creating an equitable society, but it's not,” says Ellen. “I'm just so proud to be part of an organization that is actually doing something. Like we made that statement and we're actually doing something. We have invested a significant amount of money in REAL Roofing and we're very supportive of our DEI committee that is pushing the envelope on some of these tough conversations.” 

This DEI initiative builds the fundamental foundations necessary to educate on and address important DEI issues. With REAL Roofing, National Women in Roofing is not just elevating the roofing industry to a higher standard, they are ushering in a new generation of roofing talent that values compassion, respect and accountability. 

“Now more than ever, these courses are very important because we live in a world where not everyone is the same. Not everyone thinks and acts the same. And I think that it's important for us to be mindful and aware of DEI concepts, not just in the workplace but as we go through our daily lives,” says Rae. “It has to do a lot with how you engage with each other. And it's just the basic fundamentals of being a decent human being and being mindful.” 

Read, Listen or Watch the episode for more information on the importance of DEI initiatives and for more insight on how to champion these programs within your own company. 

Learn more about NWIR in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.nationalwomeninroofing.org. 

About Cass  

Cass works as a reporter/writer for RoofersCoffeeShop, AskARoofer and MetalCoffeeShop. When she isn’t writing about roofs, she is putting her Master degree to work writing about movies and dancing with her plants.