Mandy Jo Ganieany

I attribute my success to never giving up, no matter what, no matter how many voices are telling you to give up. It's about not listening to those voices and being the loudest voice in your head. I've realized that there isn't anything that you can't do, as long as it's what you really want to do.

The best career advice I have ever been given is this: go where you are trusted, stretched, and visible.

For women in leadership, that advice has stayed with me because too often we are taught to chase titles before we chase growth. But the truth is, the right opportunities are the ones that trust your voice, stretch your capacity, and place you in rooms where your work can be seen and your leadership can make an impact.

I have learned that growth does not always come from the most comfortable seat at the table. It comes from stepping into spaces that challenge you, refining your skills, building your confidence, and proving to yourself that you belong there. Trust matters because women lead best when they are empowered, not just included. Stretch matters because leadership requires courage and constant development. Visibility matters because when women are seen leading well, it opens the door for others to believe they can do it too.

That advice shaped how I approach my own career. I do not just look for where I can fit in. I look for where I can contribute, grow, and lead in a way that creates a path for the next woman behind me.

The best advice I would give to women entering my industry is this: do not shrink to fit the space—learn the work, own your value, and take your seat with confidence.

The building trades, and leadership within them, can still be spaces where women feel like they have to prove they belong before they are fully accepted. My advice is to never let that intimidate you out of your purpose. Be willing to learn, ask questions, work hard, and build real skill. Competence builds confidence, and confidence changes how you carry yourself in every room.

I would also tell women to find mentors, build strong relationships, and stay connected to people who want to see them succeed. No one grows alone. Having people in your corner matters, especially in an industry that can be demanding and, at times, tough to navigate. At the same time, trust your own instincts. You do not have to become someone else to succeed here. The industry does not need less of your perspective—it needs more women willing to bring their full strength, ideas, and leadership to the table.

Most importantly, remember that you belong here. There is room for you not only to enter this industry, but to help shape its future. When women step into these careers and into leadership, they do more than build a career for themselves—they make it easier for the next generation of women to see what is possible.

One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is the chance to reshape the future of the trades through growth, inclusion, and leadership development.

The building trades are at a moment where we need more skilled workers, stronger leadership pipelines, and a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve. That creates a real opportunity—not just to bring more people into the industry, but to do it with intention. For me, that means creating pathways for women, young people, and underrepresented workers to see that there is a place for them here and that they can build not only a career, but a future.

Another major opportunity is to strengthen our industry by investing in mentorship, training, and culture. It is not enough to recruit people in; we have to make sure they are supported, developed, and given the opportunity to lead. When we do that, we are not just filling jobs—we are building stronger unions, stronger contractors, and stronger communities.

I also believe there is a tremendous opportunity in how we tell our story. The trades offer purpose, family-sustaining careers, pride in craftsmanship, and the ability to build the communities we live in. We need to continue showing the next generation—especially women—that this industry is not only a viable option, but a powerful one.

The opportunity in front of us is bigger than workforce growth alone. It is the opportunity to build an industry that is more inclusive, more prepared, and stronger for the future than it has ever been before.

Right now, the values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, service, growth, and faithfulness to what I am called to build.

Integrity matters deeply to me because I want my work, my leadership, and my personal life to align. I believe in being honest, following through, and standing firmly in what is right, even when it is not the easiest path.

Service is also at the center of who I am. Whether I am leading, organizing, mentoring, or showing up for the people I love, I want my life to mean something to others. I care deeply about helping people grow, creating opportunities, and making things better than I found them.

Growth is another value that drives me. I believe in always learning, always stretching, and continuing to become better—not just as a leader, but as a woman, a mentor, a friend, and a family member. Growth requires courage, and I believe that staying open to that process is part of living with purpose.

And finally, faithfulness matters to me—being faithful to my values, my family, my purpose, and the work I feel called to do. At this stage of life, I think success is less about appearances and more about building something real, lasting, and meaningful.

At the core of it all, I want my life to reflect strength, purpose, loyalty, and love—both in the work I do and in the way I live every day.