Amy Schneider

I attribute my success to my ability to listen, remain resilient, and continuously embrace opportunities to learn and grow. Working in a traditionally male-dominated industry has taught me the importance of staying strong, adaptable, and confident while navigating challenges and overcoming obstacles. I have never been afraid to take on difficult situations, because I believe every experience provides an opportunity to develop, improve, and gain valuable perspective. While technical knowledge is essential, I believe the foundation of lasting success comes from building genuine relationships, earning trust, understanding people’s perspectives, and collaborating effectively. By staying curious, consistent, and committed to continuous improvement, I have been able to create meaningful impact throughout my career.

The best career advice I have ever received is to listen more than you speak. The people closest to the work often have the greatest insights, ideas, and solutions because they experience the challenges firsthand every day. Effective leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about asking the right questions, being open to learning, and valuing the expertise of those around you. I have always believed that the individuals doing the work often know more than anyone else about what is needed to improve processes and create better outcomes. By listening, respecting their knowledge, and collaborating with my teams, I have been able to make stronger decisions and build more effective solutions.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to not wait until they feel completely ready before pursuing new opportunities. Growth happens when you challenge yourself, step outside of your comfort zone, and take on roles that push you to learn and grow. Some of the greatest opportunities come before you feel fully qualified, and that is often where the most meaningful development happens. When I transitioned from heavy civil construction into a director-level role, my dad reminded me that I knew more than I realized and encouraged me to trust myself and take the leap. That advice has stayed with me throughout my career. You may never feel 100% ready, but believing in your abilities, embracing challenges, and having the confidence to move forward can open doors you never imagined.

The biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now are centered around the evolution of technology and the continued need to transform safety culture. Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, and one of the key challenges is helping people understand how to effectively use AI as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, human expertise. Another important challenge is shifting mindsets within organizations by moving away from traditional “tough and gruff” approaches to safety and embracing a more collaborative, supportive, and people-focused culture. Lasting improvement happens when everyone understands that safety is a shared responsibility. The greatest opportunity is leveraging AI to create engaging training videos, streamline learning, and develop digital tools and applications that track safety metrics, near misses, hazardous conditions, and employee engagement, making safety programs more proactive, accessible, and effective.

The values that guide me most in both my professional and personal life are honesty, trust, and integrity. I believe integrity is non-negotiable and serves as the foundation for building meaningful relationships, making sound decisions, and creating lasting success. I also value humility, recognizing that no one has all the answers and that the best solutions come through listening, collaboration, and learning from others. Accountability and compassion are equally important to me, as they help foster respect, understanding, and a commitment to doing what is right. Ultimately, I believe the strongest outcomes are achieved when people work together toward a shared goal with trust, respect, and a genuine commitment to excellence.