Brandy Soberg

I attribute my success to proving people wrong and doing the opposite of what they said I couldn't do. Being a woman in the trades, coming up, everybody just talked crap about what we can't do and what we don't belong doing. They'd say 'oh, you don't belong here, you can't do this, you can't do it like we do.' It wasn't advice that motivated me - it was them telling me what I can't do, or what I couldn't be. I just did exactly the opposite. The one person who did believe in me was Denny, one of my regular customers when I was bartending. He was a superintendent and a great man who kept asking me when I was going to get a real job. When I finally said yes, he brought me in immediately with an intent to hire form. I paid my dues at the union and started at the refinery the following week. I stayed under him for some years until he retired, and unfortunately he passed shortly after. He was my inspiration - if it wasn't for him, I would probably still be in a bar. So my success comes from that combination of people doubting me, which fueled my determination, and one person who saw my potential and gave me the opportunity to prove what I could do.

Honestly, I didn't really receive traditional career advice. Being a woman in the trades, coming up, it was more everybody just talking crap about what we can't do and what we don't belong doing. They'd say 'oh, you don't belong here, you can't do this, you can't do it like we do.' So it wasn't advice that motivated me - it was more the opposite. It was them telling me what I can't do, or what I couldn't be, or who I couldn't be. I just did exactly the opposite of what they said. That negative talk became my fuel to prove them wrong and show what I'm capable of.

I would tell young women coming into this industry that we can do so much more than people think. I see a lot of people that come in and they think 'oh, I'm just gonna be a pot watcher, oh, I'm just gonna be a fire watch, because I can't do what they can do.' But that's not true. This platform and putting women out there shows what we can do and gives other women the drive to do it. Don't limit yourself to what others think you're capable of - the reality is we do incredible work out there. You have to see past the doubts and the limitations others try to put on you, and recognize your own potential to do the same work at the same level as anyone else in the trades.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is overcoming gender bias and the persistent skepticism toward women in the trades. While progress has been made, there are still barriers that require resilience, consistent performance, and a commitment to proving capability through results.

At the same time, there is tremendous opportunity. The industry is expanding beyond traditional refinery and pipeline work to include broader scopes such as nuclear facilities and wastewater treatment projects. This diversification is creating new pathways for inspectors and technicians, allowing professionals like myself to apply our expertise across a wider range of critical infrastructure sectors.

The values that matter most to me are integrity, perseverance, and advocacy. I’m passionate about advancing and showcasing women in the trades, leading by example and helping create more opportunities for others in the industry.

Family is my foundation, and I prioritize being present—whether that’s hiking, traveling, or spending quality time with my kids. I also value discipline and focus, which I’ve strengthened through competitive pool, including competing in Las Vegas at the APA Poolplayer Championships.