Faced with divorce, job loss, and losing her home, I chose to rebuild by returning to the industry stronger, using every setback as fuel rather than letting it break me.
Brandi Evanicky · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Brandi
Brandi Evanicky is a seasoned construction and scaffolding professional with more than 20 years of experience working in and around the commercial construction industry. \She currently serves as Office Manager at HP Elevation Systems, where she oversees timesheets, billing, safety coordination, pay applications, insurance requirements, and communication between field crews, company owners, and clients. Her work is driven by a strong commitment to organization, safety, and ensuring projects run smoothly from both the office and the field. Brandi began her career in Houston working for a family-owned scaffolding company, where she started in the warehouse learning materials and equipment from the ground up. Over the years, she advanced into leadership roles including Executive Assistant, Director of Operations, and Office Manager, building a reputation for perseverance, reliability, and deep industry knowledge. Although she explored multiple academic paths, including engineering, business management, and applied technology, it was construction that ultimately gave her a sense of purpose and direction. She also holds several industry certifications, including OSHA 30 and scaffolding competency credentials. As a woman in the highly male-dominated scaffolding industry, Brandi has had to consistently prove herself and earn recognition for her expertise. She believes in leading with logic, faith, and integrity, living by the principle, “When you do the right, you can’t be wrong.” In addition to her professional work, she is active in volunteer efforts through Hearts and Hammers and supports women entering construction through mentorship and peer support. Brandi remains passionate about helping build the next generation of leaders in construction while continuing to grow in her own career.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Brandi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to commitment, hard work, and dedication. My family and the support that comes from them has been huge, along with my will to just never give up. I love what I do, and even though there are challenges, I keep pushing forward. The people that have surrounded me along my journey have definitely influenced my life in big ways and have really shaped me into the person that I am today. I think I have a really amazing ability to just proceed forward, no matter what the task is. I just don't give up.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received was really more encouragement than specific advice - it was to have people around you that believe in you. Someone told me, 'Never give up. Keep on persevering. You're great at what you do. Don't stop. Don't allow people to come into your world and let their toxic words affect what you have going on and your true abilities to get where you want to be.' I've held on to that my whole career. My whole career has been built on that encouragement and that advice to not allow other people's toxicity to affect my ability to do what I need to do in order to get where I want to be.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice would come in both the form of caution as well as encouragement. For caution, I'd say look at yourself first and make sure you understand that this is a male-dominated field. Try to figure out how much criticism you can take, because if you cannot keep yourself grounded amongst criticism, then this field might not be the area you want to dive into. But on the encouragement side, I'd say if you do get into it, if you do enjoy it, or even if you're struggling, take advantage of the knowledge that comes from people that have been working in construction for years, find someone that will support your journey, locate a mentor, work hard and don't give up. As a female, we need to know that someone else has our back, that we're not jumping into it alone and to have a mentor that will help you along your journey will be one of the most valuable connections you make..
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Working in a male-dominated environment presents a unique challenge, including the ongoing expectation to continually validate your qualifications and reaffirm your position. As a result, communication has to be thoughtful and strategic, particularly since feedback—especially when coming from a woman—can sometimes be met with resistance. Since joining my current company in August, I’ve had the opportunity to once again demonstrate my capabilities. While the process can be mentally and emotionally demanding, it also serves as a platform to highlight my strengths, expand my influence, and confidently showcase the breadth of my skills and knowledge.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I lead by a principle I’ve always believed in: when you do right, you can’t be wrong. I approach decisions thoughtfully and intentionally, relying on logic, experience, and a strong sense of integrity rather than reacting emotionally. My decisions are guided by both my personal values and the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my career.
As a leader, I understand that consistent, well‑reasoned choices build trust and drive results. When you make decisions rooted in what’s right and sustainable, the outcomes tend to follow. I also believe accountability starts at the decision‑making level—if you don’t make the right choices, you can’t expect the right results. That mindset allows me to lead with confidence, clarity, and consistency.
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