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In this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner welcome back Tonya Hicks, president and CEO of Power Solutions, an electrical contracting, facility maintenance, and domestic EV charging manufacturer she has led for 26 years. Hicks, an IBEW journeyman electrician and the first Black woman journeyman in Mississippi and first woman in Local 917, explains how unsafe EV charger locations inspired her SheEV initiative, including a planned September car club and a redesigned app using a community rating (Yelp-like) model after legal concerns about labeling “safer” stations. She discusses advocating on Capitol Hill for policy to place chargers in safer locations and notes bipartisan support in Georgia. Hicks reflects on jobsite safety challenges for women due to ill-fitting PPE and clothing, addresses workforce development and retention (including family leave and benefits), and encourages upskilling and learning AI.

Supported by: Groundbreak Carolinas

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In this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner welcome back Amy Henningfield, Director of Workforce Development at Superior Construction, a PACER award winner and champion for women in construction. Amy discusses launching Indiana’s first all-girls hands-on construction camp through Women in Roads (now expanded from Indianapolis to Fort Wayne), emphasizing female representation, jobsite exposure, mentorship, and sustained school relationships to overcome parent and educator skepticism about construction versus college. She shares how Superior’s intentionally designed women’s development program achieved a 100% promotion rate in its first cohort, with a current focus on supporting women in skilled trades through executive visibility, networking, and mentorship involving both men and women leaders. Amy also highlights the importance of construction voices on community boards and practical inclusion steps like providing properly fitting women’s PPE.

Supported by: NPK

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In this episode: Christi and Angela interview Erik Struebig, Technical Coordinator for North America at MGX Manitowoc Crane, a nine-year US Army veteran who moved from field technician roles in agriculture, Yellow Iron, and mining to overseeing technical coordination for 218 technicians. They discuss attracting more people into heavy-equipment and construction careers by showcasing the wide range of trade-adjacent roles, improving marketing and “cool” visual branding, and communicating earning potential and apprenticeship advantages without college debt. Erik emphasizes the need for clear advancement paths through regular employee reviews and leadership investment, plus ongoing technical training supported by manufacturers and partners. He describes Manitowoc’s community engagement—Touch-a-Truck events, school outreach, funding a welding program, internships across departments, scholarships, and tooling support—and his work with Crew Collaborative. He closes with mentee advice: listen, ask questions, and volunteer.

Supported by: NPK

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