Before revealing the name of the 2022 National Women in Roofing (NWiR) WORLD Award Veteran winner, 2021 award winner Christine Mockenhaupt described her as someone who has paved the way for women and is dedicated to changing the industry.

“She exemplifies the true meaning of a team player by promoting, recruiting and motivating women in the roofing industry to develop more professional and personal qualities for a more successful future,” said Mockenhaupt. “Her personable, sincere demeanor encourages people to be different and lead the industry in a new direction for professional growth.”

It wasn’t until Mockenhaupt mentioned the winner’s job title of chief operating officer that Michelle Boykin realized she was talking about her.

“There are so many of us that fit that first part that I thought, ‘Oh, it’s not me,’” said Boykin. “Then they said COO and looked in my direction and I was shocked.”

That attitude, in part, is why Boykin was named the 2022 WORLD Award Veteran winner during NWiR Day, held Jan. 30 at the Ernest N. Morial Center in New Orleans prior to the International Roofing Expo.

The WORLD Award Veteran recognizes the contributions of a dedicated leader in the roofing industry who exhibits outstanding commitment, demonstrates perseverance, personal and professional growth, and creates opportunities for others.

Boykin is the COO of Rackley Roofing in Nashville, Tenn., where she has worked for the past 11 years. She started as a service manager in 2010 before becoming vice president of service in 2017. In 2018, she assumed her current role as chief operating officer. Prior to Rackley Roofing, she worked as the office manager of Holland Roofing of Nashville.

Boykin has held numerous positions within NWiR, including recruitment chair, chair of the NWiR Tennessee council she founded, and has served on the board of directors with the executive committee. Her NWiR work also includes national sponsor liaison, mentorship liaison, and community service liaison.

She is involved with the Roofing Technology Think Tank as well – a group of roofing professionals that seeks and promotes innovative technological solutions for the industry. In 2019, RC named her one of the roofing industry’s Young Guns.

“She has the confidence to introduce new ideas and technology for her company, team and colleagues to work smarter,” Mockenhaupt said.

Outside of the roofing industry, Boykin has worked with the Allstate Foundation’s domestic violence program, is an active member of her church where she leads life groups and participates in mission trips. She is also a mother of two boys, ages 7 and 14.

“Letting (my boys) see that a woman can be successful – and my husband is such a supporter, he is somebody that lets them see that it’s okay for Mom to do all these great things and seeing that sort of gender balance happening – it’s great,” Boykin said.

WORLD Rising Star

Along with the WORLD Award Veteran, NWiR named its 2022 Rising Star. The award recognizes the achievements of emerging talent in the roofing industry who represent the next generation of leaders. Women who receive this award anticipate customer needs, are team players, innovate and inspire those around them.

This year’s Rising Star recipient is Kristina Hill, co-owner of HomeShield Roofing & Exteriors LLC in Lincoln, Neb. and founder of the Harness & Heels – Women in Roofing online community.

Last year’s winner, Heather Estes, senior codes and regulatory compliance specialist with GAF, presented this year’s award via video. In it, she said Hill may be a newcomer to NWiR, but she is already making a huge impact.

“Not only does our 2022 Rising Star build roofs, she exemplifies our four pillars,” said Estes, referring to NWiR’s pillars of industry recruitment, networking, education and mentoring.

Harness & Heels consists of more than 900 women from across the U.S. and Canada and focuses on supporting, educating and empowering women in the roofing industry.

“She noticed other women in online working groups asking questions that were either unwelcomed by someone or met with ridicule by others, so she started her own online community,” said Estes. “Like a stone tossed into a pond, the ripple effect of her leadership on social media has and will continue to make waves from the U.S. to Canada.”

Along with her roofing business, she is the founder of Hope for the Voiceless, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing an end to child trafficking in the Lincoln community.

Hill was unable to be present for the ceremony, but in a Facebook post, expressed her gratitude to the Harness & Heels group as well as NWiR for building such supportive communities in the industry.

“I am honored to have been listed among some of the up and coming movers and shakers in this industry. You all are rockstars!” Hill wrote.

A total of 13 women were nominated for the Rising Star award this year.