The roofing industry is transforming — and one organization is making sure women from all backgrounds are not just included but empowered. As NWIR charts its next phase of growth, intentional outreach to the Hispanic/Latina community is a key piece of the strategy. In this article we address three fundamental questions: What is NWIR’s outlook and goals for this group? How many local chapters (councils) are forming nationwide? And what’s the best way for Hispanic/Latina women (and their allies) in roofing to connect and participate?

At its core, NWIR’s mission is “to support and advance the careers of women roofing professionals — from those on the rooftop to manufacturing, design, sales and all levels of management/ownership.” Within that broad mission, there are specific goals related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) that make outreach to the Hispanic/Latina community especially relevant:

• Representation: NWIR recognizes that the roofing industry has traditionally been male-dominated and often lacks racial/ethnic diversity. By engaging Hispanic/Latina women and other under-represented groups, the organization is helping diversify the workforce, amplify voices and expand the talent pipeline. 
• Access & Opportunity: Through its pillars of networking, education, mentoring and industry recruitment, NWIR aims to provide Hispanic/Latina women access to skills, relationships and leadership pathways that might otherwise be harder to obtain. 
• Cultural Inclusion & Community-Building: NWIR’s DEI Committee has intentionally celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with bilingual events and features of Hispanic/Latina professionals in roofing, signaling that cultural identity and language matter in how engagement is crafted. 
• Local Impact + National Scale: Via its local councils (sometimes known in other associations as chapters) — which NWIR emphasizes as “the lifeblood” of the organization — NWIR aims for grassroots impact (events, mentoring, local outreach) while maintaining national support and branding. 
• Leadership Pathways: For Hispanic/Latina women in roofing, NWIR aims to move beyond participation to leadership—inviting members to serve on committees (e.g., DEI, Workforce Development, Mentoring) and local council leadership roles. The organization explicitly notes that councils are a great way to develop key leadership skills. 

In short, NWIR’s outlook for the Hispanic/Latina community is one of intentional inclusion—providing culturally responsive outreach, leadership opportunities, mentoring, and access to resources so that Hispanic/Latina women thrive in roofing and contribute to elevating the industry.

Councils Forming Nationwide

In NWIR’s organizational structure, “councils” are the local/regional groups that operate much like what many associations call “chapters.” NWIR currently hosts 60 active local groups. As for the Hispanic/Latina community, NWIR is debuting its new Hispanic Council called Conexion Hispana. NWIR members will have a primary local council for networking with all members in a local setting-whether city, state or regional. They will then have the option of adding membership in the Conexion Hispana for only $25 more per year. This covers the events and outreach tied specifically to the Hispanic/Latina community and is an exciting addition to the benefits of being an NWIR member for that community.

How to Get Involved

Here are tangible ways for Hispanic/Latina women — and women in roofing in general — to plug into NWIR, with special relevance for the Hispanic/Latina community:

• Join NWIR as a Member: Start by becoming an individual member (or student member if you’re in school) to gain access to the full range of NWIR resources: networking, webinars, mentoring. 
• Find (or Launch) a Local Council Near You: Use the interactive councils map on NWIR’s website to locate your nearest council. If you’re in an area without a council yet—especially an area with Hispanic/Latina roofing professionals and support networks—you can lead or help launch one. 
• Engage with Special Interest/Bilingual/Hispanic Programming: Look out for NWIR’s bilingual or Hispanic/Latina-focused events (such as Hispanic Heritage Month gatherings) and join committees like DEI or Conexion Hispana. These help provide culturally relevant connection. 
• Mentorship & Networking: Leverage the mentoring pillar: become a mentee or mentor, especially within the Hispanic/Latina community—connect with other women who share your background or career path.
• Develop Leadership Skills by Serving on Committees or Council Leadership: For example, join the DEI Committee, the Councils Committee, or your local council’s leadership team. These roles build your professional profile, expand your influence, and amplify representation. 
• Advocate & Promote the Industry to Spanish-speaking Talent: Use your role to recruit other Hispanic/Latina women into the roofing industry (one of NWIR’s workforce-development goals). Attend local outreach events, speak in bilingual forums, or partner with vocational/trade schools.
• Take Advantage of Educational Opportunities: Explore NWIR’s programs, webinars and resources with special focus on inclusion and access to help elevate awareness and competence. 

By intentionally engaging the Hispanic/Latina community, NWIR is advancing its mission more broadly: a roofing industry where every qualified woman—regardless of gender, ethnicity or background—has access to opportunity, community and leadership. With 60+ councils nationwide and the addition of Conexion Hispana, women in this roofing community have a strong pathway to join, lead and shape the future of roofing. Participation through membership, local council involvement, cultural-responsive programming, mentoring and leadership helps make that pathway real.