Veregy wouldn’t be what it is without the unique, talented women who contribute to the success of our business. The lovely ladies of Veregy play a crucial role in our mission: to accelerate and simplify the energy transition. To celebrate Women in Construction Week, we highlight three women at our company who represent different roles and regions in the US.
Account Executive, West Region
Shannon began her career at Veregy as a Project Manager for K12 construction projects in Arizona 7 years ago. In her role as Project Manager, she transitioned projects from contract execution to engineering procurement and construction. As the main point of contact for clients, she built strong relationships and a deep understanding of the business, which led to her pivot into a sales position. Having a strong background in the project process and building those close client relationships has propelled her success as an Account Manager for Veregy.
WHY DO YOU LIKE WORKING IN THIS INDUSTRY?
“There is never a dull moment in construction, for better or worse! It’s a rewarding industry with many opportunities to expand knowledge and career development”.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUNG WOMEN LOOKING TO ENTER THIS INDUSTRY? ANY LESSONS LEARNED?
“Working alongside peers as a young woman in a male-dominated industry can have its challenges. Finding your coach, your cheerleader, your friend, and those who want to see you succeed, is important. At the end of the day, choosing the right company to assist in your growth is key”.
NATASHA MAUNE, CSHT, CSHO, OSHA 500
Environmental, Health, and Safety Manager, Central Region
Natasha has over 17 years’ of experience in the Construction Industry including both corporate and jobsite environments. She works diligently to create and maintain a safety-conscious environment, utilizing excellent communication skills in creating a team atmosphere. Her high work ethic helps her meet and exceed Safety goals. As a team player, Natasha strives to have close working relationships with co-workers, external customers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
WHY DO YOU LIKE WORKING IN THIS INDUSTRY?
“I find the construction industry very satisfying to work in because our work is tangible. You can look at the end result of a construction project and be proud you were part of the team. The construction industry has been a comfortable fit for my own personality, work ethic, and strengths. I enjoy the teamwork atmosphere and the people I have encountered along the way”.
DOES BEING A WOMAN IN CONSTRUCTION PRESENT ANY CHALLENGES? HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THOSE CHALLENGES?
“I have encountered people who wanted me to stay in more traditional female roles within the industry. I think you should stay true to yourself, know your worth, and push through those pre-conceived ideas of where you can be successful. Sometimes, that means finding a place that is interested in fostering your talent and giving you an opportunity for growth. I have found more people in this industry willing to help me succeed than not”.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUNG WOMEN LOOKING TO ENTER THIS INDUSTRY? ANY LESSONS LEARNED?
“There are so many roles that need to be filled within the construction industry. I would encourage women to investigate the roles that may interest them and consider this industry. Find that company that is as excited to receive you as you are to be part of their team”.
HEATHER SIECK
Project Engineer, East Region
Heather has eight years of experience and is responsible for the identification and development of Energy Conservation Measures and Facility Improvement Measures that are the basis of Guaranteed Energy Savings and Non-Guaranteed projects. She provides innovative leadership and works within the project development team to fully develop solutions for Veregy customers. She also leverages communication skills to convey solutions with accurate scopes of work, existing conditions, energy savings, and M&V planning.
Heather maintains strong relationships with project owners, architects, engineers, the project team, and subcontractors. She leverages a strong base of knowledge within mechanical, electrical, building and DER systems, as well as calculation methods and software for these areas. In her previous role, Heather managed the bi-polar ionization installation for HVAC systems and UVC lighting for cleaner, healthier buildings. She has also managed some renewable energy sources, from solar field installations and EV charging stations for electric school buses.
WHY DO YOU LIKE WORKING IN THIS INDUSTRY?
“I enjoy this industry because it presents challenges every day. There are usually unique challenges for each project and being able to find the perfect solution for each client is extremely rewarding. One thing I enjoy most about the type of work we do is being able to help schools save money through our Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs). It allows school districts to put the money back into academics where it benefits the kids. One of my favorite parts of our projects is when we present to the school board after we have implemented our ECMs, and we are able to show the district how much money we have saved them on their energy bills through the year(s). This allows us to have multiple projects with each client because we always exceed expectations. There are so few female engineers, especially in the construction industry, when I am able to be a resource for the client with my expertise, its extremely rewarding for me.”
DOES BEING A WOMAN IN CONSTRUCTION PRESENT ANY CHALLENGES? HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THOSE CHALLENGES?
“As a woman, when I walk into some of these meetings, I usually get asked if I am an assistant, and I say, ‘no, I am an electrical engineer.’ When I am able to back that up with my knowledge, it helps to show the client why I am part of the team. Then, they ask for me to continue to be part of the project team because they see I care about their needs above all else. I have been in situations where certain people do not listen to me, and they may ignore me until someone else gives them that same directive. I have learned to continue to be confident and rise above the negative ways some individuals will treat me. The biggest validation comes when these types of people challenge my knowledge, and I am able to confidently answer their questions.”
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUNG WOMEN LOOKING TO ENTER THIS INDUSTRY? ANY LESSONS LEARNED?
“Do not be afraid to step into this industry and come in prepared to make your mark. Do not let anyone make you feel like you do not belong. We need more women to come into this industry with their perspectives. We have many women clients, and they value receiving a professional woman’s perspective on how to manage their buildings. I had and continue to have the opportunity to talk to students about being a female in the construction industry, and I never really had anyone tell me I could be part of this industry growing up. I hope to be an example to young girls and give them the confidence to step into this industry.
I have learned to be confident in the face of criticism. No one can take my degree from me, and no one can take my success away. You just keep on working towards your goals and you can and will achieve them. Just stay focused.”
