This year in honor of Women’s History Month, Roofing Is Celebrating Women. Let’s not just celebrate the women who are written in the history books but let’s also celebrate ourselves. This month, you will see highlights of women to be celebrated within our industry.
Margi Harney, Beacon Building Products
- How did you get involved in the roofing industry?
Working for Beacon marked my entry into the roofing industry. When I first read the open job description online, it was as though it had been written for me. It was literally the perfect fit for what I was looking for, even though it was a substantial shift from the fashion/retail industry to the roofing industry.
- What is one of the key things you’ve learned about yourself that you wish you would’ve known when you first entered the roofing industry?
Confidence. Females tend to be less vocal in meetings or otherwise, especially since we’re working in a male dominated industry. Be confident in what you bring to the table, you won’t regret it.
- In the spirit of Women’s History Month, who in your life has been an inspiring female figure that has helped you get to where you are today, physically, emotionally, intellectually and/or spiritually?
My Mom has made me who I am today. She has always taken the stance and repeatedly proven that there is nothing that can’t be achieved with a little hard work. From cooking, to sewing, to painting, to building the house that I grew up in with her own two hands (and my fathers!); there is literally nothing she can’t do. It inspired me and made me realize that there is nothing that I can’t do.
- Who is one of your favorite Women in History?
As someone who loves math and computers, Ada Lovelace is one of the women in history that I most admire. Lovelace was an English mathematician and writer. She was asked to analyze an Italian mathematician’s Analytical Engine, which is a machine that could perform simple mathematical calculations. Lovelace went beyond completing the simple translation, and wrote her own set of notes about the machine and even included a method for calculating a sequence of Bernoulli numbers. This is now acknowledged as the world’s first computer program.
- As we know, many of the women in our industry are always juggling multiple responsibilities. How do you manage a work-life balance?
As a wife and mother of 3, I am constantly juggling multiple responsibilities. I am a great multi-tasker and recognize the importance of prioritizing my time. I make sure that exercise is given as much priority as my work because I function better when I feel healthy. I am 110% dedicated and focused when I am at work. On the flip side, I make certain to disconnect from work so I can be fully present when I’m with my family.
- Share an example of a time when you realized you were one of the first women at your job, school, family, or social organization to do something that had a meaningful impact or caused a positive change?
When my promotion to Vice President of IT at Beacon was announced, my inbox was full of incredibly humbling emails from other women throughout our organization. I didn’t realize what a big deal it was until others pointed it out. Other females at Beacon can now clearly see there is a path to leadership roles for them at Beacon and that is a very positive change.
- Share something that you have been a part of that other women can follow in your footsteps and pave new trails in the industry?
I have a very strong belief in positive reinforcement and encouragement for women in our industry. I believe it can boost morale and loyalty, improve wellness, increase retention, and drive daily performance among employees. Motivating others will in turn improve business outcomes. Women can help other women feel empowered!
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NWiR is so grateful to Beacon Building Products for their support of the association as a Founding Sponsor and now as a Diamond Sponsor.
