2011 Building Advantage Woman of the Year
(In image, left to right): The 2011 Building Advantage Woman of the Year runner up, Danielle Hernandez a Laborer with Locals 113 and 76, poses with Ken Kraemer, Executive Director of Building Advantage, and the 2011 Woman of the Year award winner, Kilah Engelke, a Cement Mason and Apprentice Coordinator with Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons, Local 599. (Not pictured): Runner up, Jennifer Schirack, an Ironworker with Local 8 who was at training for her deployment to Afghanistan in January 2012.
In an industry dominated by men, Building Advantage saw a need to recognize women who exemplify what it means to work and succeed in construction. With that in mind, Building Advantage partnered with Women in Trades, an organization dedicated to supporting trades women, to honor Kilah Engelke, the first-ever Building Advantage Woman of the Year. We also recognized two runners-up, Danielle Hernandez and Jennifer Schirack.
Engelke has been a Cement Finisher with the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons, Local 599 for the past 11 years, and worked as a laborer for three years prior to joining Local 599. In October of this year, Engelke became the first officially recognized Apprentice Coordinator at Local 599, Milwaukee area 558. She has worked hard to gain the respect of her fellow trades people and continues to impress her employer, J.A. Pohl, as well as Terry Ullsperger, Business Manager for Local 599.
"Kilah's passion for the Apprenticeship program is a needed catalyst for the future success of our growing and respected program," said Ullsperger. "As a young woman in a predominately male profession, her past successes are impressive, and we fully expect many future successes in her position as the Apprentice Coordinator."
Not only was Engelke deserving of the first-time award, but the two runner-ups also have impressive and worthy backgrounds. Hernandez, a 20-year veteran who devotes her spare time to mentoring other young woman who enter the trades, splits her time between Laborers Local 113 and 76.
Hernandez grew up with the union. Both her father and uncle were in the trades, and her uncle was proud to be a Laborer. This pride is what motivated her to take a break from college to see what else was out there, which led her to become a Laborer.
"Her can-do attitude and willingness to help fellow women provides mentoring for all of those that surround her," said Susan Jaske, Vice President and COO of Fairway Transit.
Runner-up Schirack became an Ironworker apprentice in October 2010. She takes her trade very seriously and has proven to be a reliable worker. Not only is she proud of her career as a union Ironworker, she is also a proud member of the Army National Guard. Schirack is being deployed to Afghanistan in January 2012 and is currently training for the deployment.
"Ms. Schirack deserves to be recommended for this award because of her union ideals," said Rich Hanson, Coordinator of Apprenticeship and Training for Ironworkers Local 8. "She has taken full advantage of her opportunity with our union apprenticeship program."
The Women in Trades committee hopes the nominees' efforts provide encouragement to other women looking for a great career opportunity in a non-traditional field. Congratulations to these inspiring women from all of us at Building Advantage.
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