PHOTOS: NWiR Day at IRE 2026

National Women in Roofing Day Unites and Elevates Women at the International Roofing Expo

By Tanja Kern, Senior Strategic Content Editor

Photos by Shadi Absi

National Women in Roofing (NWIR) marked a milestone at NWIR Days 2026, celebrating a decade of advocacy, collaboration, and empowerment that transformed the roofing industry landscape.

"We are here this weekend to celebrate not only where we've been, but where we are going as an association," said NWIR Executive Director Katie Bodiford.

With the theme "Bridging the Gap," the event honored both the organization's 10-year journey and its ongoing mission to close the gaps women face in the roofing industry.

The celebration featured a powerful panel discussion with NWIR's founding members—Heidi J. Ellsworth, Jennifer Stone, Shari Carlozzi-Strait, and Jennifer Ford-Smith—who shared how they transformed an idea born at a bar into a movement. Moderated by Lynn Picone of GAF, the founders reflected on the challenges they faced launching NWIR in 2014. What started as informal gatherings of women supporting each other at industry events grew into a professional organization with 63 councils nationwide that provide networking, education, mentoring, and industry recruitment opportunities.

NWIR's 2026 awards honored individuals and councils making exceptional contributions to the organization and industry. Michelle Ly, operations manager of Hall Roofing & Construction in Round Rock, Texas, received the prestigious World Award, while Liz Garza, territory manager for SRS Distribution and CEO and founder of She's in Roofing in Nashville, Tenn., earned the Rising Star Award. Council awards recognized outstanding achievements, including the Kansas City Council for Community Impact, the New Jersey Council for Leading the Way, the Grand Rapids for Emerging Excellence, the Oregon Council for Council of Distinction, the Southern Colorado Council for Outstanding Event, and the Minnesota Council for the Educational Gold Star.

As NWIR enters its second decade, the organization continues to create pathways for women to thrive in roofing. From first-time attendees discovering their community to industry veterans paving the way for the next generation, NWIR Days 2026 demonstrated that when women support women, transformative change becomes possible.

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Tanja Kern covers economic trends and the intersection of architecture, design, and construction for Roofing Contractor, with an emphasis on the forces reshaping the industry. She develops and amplifies content that connects roofing professionals with the intelligence they need to compete and grow.

With more than 20 years of experience, Tanja has written for national business, consumer and trade publications. She holds a Master of Science in magazine publishing from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.