Tiffany Tillema

My Journey into the trades industry started early with my relationship with my grandfather, a contractor. He helped me realize that my skills and interests were not what society expected of me but rather aligned with the gratification of working with my hands. As I grew into owning my own Masonry business, It was often a struggle to be dignified when speaking to men who were often disrespectful and condescending, and there were no female mentors or role models. Only 9% of the construction workforce are women; once they get into the trades, we have trouble keeping them there. From my experience, I believe that personal resilience and perseverance are keys to our challenges as women. Developing a growth mindset and stepping out of our comfort zone is essential to position ourselves as indispensable assets to the trades. Let us empower and encourage more women to break through the barriers in male-dominated trades and become the leaders we were meant to be

It’s not easy to be a woman in a leadership role, whether you have been in construction your entire life like me or landed a management role straight out of trade school. Gender bias is a real thing, and it knocks a lot of potential leaders out before they can break through the “Brick Ceiling” and meet their true potential. As women in leadership roles, we must learn to deal with these gender biases in a way that dignifies us as women and as leaders. We tend to want to blame it on the machoism and attitudes of the men in the industry, and although that accounts for some of the problems, there are things we can do that can make it worse or make it much better. The way we react to certain situations, handle ourselves and do our jobs all factor into the equation. A leader should direct their team toward goals and ensure they have what they need to succeed. They should be able to motivate and inspire everyone on the team, including those in the field. But How?

Paws and Reflect: The Joys and Heartbreak in Animal Rescue is a captivating presentation that delves into the emotional rollercoaster involved in animal rescue. This heartfelt presentation showcases the incredible joys and heart-wrenching moments that come with rescuing and caring for animals in need. The audience is taken on a journey filled with heartwarming anecdotes and bittersweet stories highlighting rescue efforts' transformative power. Three adorable kittens named Twig, Mr. Kitty, and Tater Tot take center stage as examples of the resilience and love that can be found in even the most challenging situations. The presenter shares heartwarming success stories of these precious felines finding through vivid storytelling and captivating visuals. The audience is bound to be moved by the tales of Twig, Mr. Kitty, and Tater Tot. However, the presentation also dives deep into animal rescuers' heartbreak and challenges.