President's Message - March 2026

Celebrating Women in Construction & Why Belonging to an Association Matters
A Letter to Our NARI MN Members

Dear NARI MN Members,

There is a difference between carrying a membership card and truly belonging.

As President of NARI of Minnesota, I think about that often. Strong associations do not happen by accident. They are built intentionally, member by member, conversation by conversation.

March gives us a meaningful opportunity to do two things at once: celebrate Women in Construction and reaffirm why engagement in an association like ours truly matters.

The data tells a compelling story:

• 63% of consumers say membership in a professional association increases their trust in a company.
• Companies active in trade associations report stronger revenue growth and greater industry awareness.
• Women represent roughly 11% of the U.S. construction workforce and about 13.5 % here in Minnesota.
• In skilled trades, that number drops to just 4–5%.
• Minnesota is projected to need more than 35,000 additional construction workers in the coming years.

That last number should get our attention.

We face labor shortages, an aging workforce and increasingly complex projects. At the same time, women influence the majority of home renovation decisions. The opportunity gap is real. So is the upside.

Engagement Is the Strategy

Retention does not happen because we send invoices. It happens because membership produces value.

This year, we are focused on:

• Expanding Roundtables where real numbers are discussed and real accountability happens
• Education that strengthens growth, leadership and operational performance
• Events that generate relationships, not just name tags
• Recognition through RotY, Pillars and leadership pathways
• Partnerships that create tangible business advantages

I had a chance to speak with a few leaders last week and here were portions of their thoughts:

Angela, an eight-year NARI member and contractor in our space, shared how transformative these relationships have been. Early in her career, she was told she might not fit in. Instead, she leaned in. Through NARI events and peer conversations, she found an informal network where “how are you handling this?” became a catalyst for referrals, sharper product decisions and stronger confidence.

Deanne, with years of leadership in distribution, has witnessed the boardroom evolve. There was a time when women waited to speak. Today, they are shaping strategy, influencing supply chains and driving operational decisions.

Amanda, who works in marketing and networking within our industry, reinforced something we all see. Many women entering construction do not initially view association involvement as critical. Yet once engaged, they quickly recognize the power of business development, lunch-and-learns, awards recognition and leadership exposure. And in a market where many renovation decision-makers are women, trust and connection are not optional. They are competitive advantages.

Women often bring collaborative problem solving, strong listening skills and attention to detail. In remodeling, details matter. In leadership, they matter even more.

Belonging Changes Outcomes

Research consistently shows diverse leadership teams are more likely to outperform financially. Access to professional networks increases retention and advancement, particularly in underrepresented groups.

Belonging builds confidence.
Confidence builds leadership.
Leadership builds stronger companies.

And stronger companies build stronger associations.

If you engage, you grow. If you grow, the association grows. It is that simple.

Member Action

Join or visit a Roundtable this month.
Invite a colleague. Bring a female leader from your company. Encourage participation beyond traditional roles and into operations, ownership and strategy.

The door is open. The opportunity is real.

Thank you for being a member of NARI MN. We genuinely appreciate everything you do to give back to this industry and to each other. Together, we are building an industry that exceeds expectations.

With appreciation,

Reid Sellgren
President, NARI MN 2026