Central Indiana’s Women in Construction

by Allie Moffett

While the phrase “it’s a man’s world” is challenged more today than ever before, the world of construction is still largely a male-dominated industry. In the modern professional world, there are more women in managerial and c-suite roles each year, yet the trades are still a few steps behind the rest. Lucky for Central Indiana, we have a number of leading ladies bringing client dreams to life.

Hilari Goris, owner and designer of Hilari Goris Designs, has regularly teamed up with Joe Garcia of G&G Custom Homes over the past ten years. The pair recently joined forces to build a dream home in Zionsville’s Holliday Farms.

Goris has found that clients appreciate hearing a woman’s point of view on projects, and they’re open to asking her any and all questions they may have thanks to the relationship they build through this process.

“I become their person on the job site because I’ve been with these clients since the beginning as they made all of their selections.” says Goris, who has been asked about everything from roof pitches and windows, to framing and plumbing.

Hilari Goris Designs partners with the talented team at G&G Custom Homes to guide you through the process of creating your vision and building it from the ground up.

The GreenImage team is proud to showcase a number of women with green thumbs. Jen Siebold joined the team last year as a Personal Gardener. She’s in charge of planting and caring for flowers and home landscapes, which includes the weeding and fertilizing of the annuals.

“I like to nurture a relationship with the homeowner, which helps me better understand their needs and focus on maintaining their property,” says Seibold. “We’re urged to genuinely care about the impact we have for our customers.”

Sarah Romine has been the Office Manager at GreenImage for five years. She acts as a customer liaison, manages maintenance services, communicates with customers, and handles all things administration. “GreenImage provides a fun family culture, which makes it enjoyable to come to work every day, ” said Romine.

“I love being a part of this team,” says Shelby Shelley, Greenimage Project Coordinator. “It’s given me the opportunity to grow professionally and as a person. There is much more than just landscaping that happens here. I’m really looking forward to what the future holds.”

When it comes to a true team player and community supporter, Mont Surfaces is the real deal. Their team has supported numerous local causes over the years, adding more women-centric efforts each year. A few the team is supporting this year include:

 Participating in the 10th Annual Indy Women Build for Habitat for Humanity. The team will be building not one, but two homes for these deserving, hardworking families.

 Co-sponsoring the inaugural Woman Build It conference on August 30th. This event is dedicated to empowering and connecting women in all aspects of the construction industry.

While Mont’s stone offerings and customer service are bar-none, knowing that you’re choosing a company who supports the greater community is sure to make Mont your chosen stone provider.

In 2013, Millie Hindes started her own company called Watergate Roofing, offering professional roofing, siding and gutter installation. Hindes has found that being a woman-owned business works to her advantage as she estimates that 30-40% of her clients choose to hire her because she’s kind, tenacious, and knowledgeable. Her team is made up of both men and women, including a female sales coach and office manager. Hindes feels that being a woman business owner gives her a different insight in the industry – one that’s appreciated by clients. Given that women are often the ones who manage the households, make the decisions, and talk to the contractors, Hindes easily connects with her clients.

Hindes feels that the roofline is the perfect place for females. “Honestly, women get mad respect if they can drive a truck, put a ladder up, and get on a freaking roof,” she said.

Whether it’s assistance in choosing the perfect materials for your space, creating a vibrant garden or installing the roof over your head, trust the women making waves in this male-dominated industry. Their determination to work in the industry is a sign of just how dedicated and passionate they are to their craft.

THE WOMEN BUILD IT CONFERENCE, HOSTED BY HAVEN MEDIA AND THE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF GREATER INDIANAPOLIS (BAGI), IS A ONE - DAY EVENT THAT AIMS TO EMPOWER AND CONNECT WOMEN IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

WATERGATE ROOFING: