Leading With Purpose: Building Strength at Work and at Home
How a Service Director balances leadership in the roofing industry with motherhood to six children.
Leadership doesn’t always look the way people expect it to—especially in the construction and roofing industry. For me, leadership is built in the quiet moments: early mornings before the day begins, late-night calls to ensure a client is taken care of, standing in the gap when a crew needs direction, and still showing up on the sidelines for my children. It’s not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about doing what matters with intention.
As a Service Director, I oversee a full-service roofing operation that requires constant attention, quick decision-making, and accountability at every level. Service work is unforgiving. Roofs don’t wait, weather doesn’t cooperate, and clients depend on clear communication and follow-through. In that environment, structure, discipline, and trust aren’t optional—they’re the foundation of success.
At the same time, I’m a mother to six children. Managing a large family requires many of the same skills I rely on professionally: organization, prioritization, empathy, and resilience. Balancing both worlds has never been easy, but it has shaped me into a stronger leader. When you’re responsible for both a department and a household, you learn quickly how to focus on what truly matters, make decisions with confidence, and lead with consistency.
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry has also shaped my perspective. I’ve learned that credibility isn’t granted—it’s earned. I don’t lead by being the loudest in the room. I lead by being prepared, by knowing the work, and by standing behind my word. Respect comes from execution, not explanation.
I don’t view family and career as competing forces. I see them as reinforcing one another. Motherhood has taught me patience and perspective. Leadership has taught me accountability and decisiveness. Together, they’ve created a leadership style rooted in integrity, structure, and care for people—whether that’s a client trusting us with their investment, a crew relying on direction, or children watching how hard work and commitment play out in real life.
If there’s one message I hope others take from my journey, it’s this: you don’t have to choose between ambition and family, or strength and empathy. You can build a life and a career that reflects your values, even in spaces where you’re told it can’t be done. Show up prepared. Lead with purpose. Let your actions speak.
That’s how trust is built. That’s how impact is made.
— Kimberly Schaefer, Service Director
Allcon Roofing
