NWIR Honors the Grand Rapids Council With the National “Emerging Excellence Award” 

If you’re in the roofing industry or manage people who are, you know something important: real progress doesn’t usually happen overnight. It’s built one relationship, one meeting, one hard-earned win at a time. 

That’s why the National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Emerging Excellence Award matters. And it’s why the recognition earned by the NWIR Grand Rapids Council is worth talking about. 

At Weather Shield Roofing Systems™, we’ve spent more than 45 years watching this industry evolve. We’ve seen good ideas stall out, and we’ve seen strong leadership create lasting change. What’s happening with the Grand Rapids Council falls squarely into the second category. 

A National Award for a Council Still in Its Early Days

The NWIR Grand Rapids Council was officially founded in June 2025 by Weather Shield’s Maria Escamilla, which makes this recognition especially meaningful. 

The Emerging Excellence Award is given to councils that show exceptional momentum, leadership, and impact—early on. In other words, it’s not about how long you’ve been around. It’s about how effectively you’re building something that lasts. 

Less than a year into its existence, the Grand Rapids Council has already demonstrated that it’s more than a good idea. It’s a working, growing community. 

Why Was the Grand Rapids Council Created in the First Place?

The mission was simple and long overdue. 

The council was created to build a strong, supportive local community for women in roofing across the West Michigan area. That includes: 

• Professional development 

• Mentorship opportunities 

• Industry engagement 

• A place to connect without pretense 

Roofing is hard work. It’s technical. It’s demanding. And for a long time, many women in the industry didn’t have a clear local platform to learn, grow, and support one another. 

The Grand Rapids Council was built to change that—not with slogans, but with action. 

What Has the Council Accomplished So Quickly?

In a short period of time, the council has seen real, measurable growth. 

Membership continues to increase. Event participation is strong. And its presence within the West Michigan roofing community is expanding in a meaningful way. 

This hasn’t happened by accident. 

Through intentional networking events, practical educational opportunities, and a commitment to inclusivity, the council has become a place where roofing professionals can: 

• Share real-world experience 

• Learn from peers and mentors 

• Build relationships that extend beyond a single meeting 

That kind of momentum is exactly what the Emerging Excellence Award is designed to recognize. 

What Is the NWIR Emerging Excellence Award?

The Emerging Excellence Award is presented by National Women in Roofing to local councils that demonstrate: 

• Strong leadership 

• Clear vision for the future 

• Consistent engagement and growth 

• Positive impact on their local roofing community 

It’s not about checking boxes. It’s about showing progress where it counts—people, participation, and purpose. 

Receiving this award less than a year after launching sends a clear message: the Grand Rapids Council is doing something right. 

Leadership That Turns Ideas Into Action

Awards like this don’t happen without committed leadership. 

Founder Maria Escamilla summed it up best: 

“We started with an idea and a shared belief that women in roofing deserved a strong local platform. Seeing how quickly this council has grown—and being recognized at a national level—is incredibly rewarding.” 

That statement reflects what many successful organizations have in common. A clear belief. A willingness to do the work. And the patience to build something the right way. 

Why NWIR Matters to the Industry

National Women in Roofing plays an important role in the long-term strength of the roofing industry. 

By focusing on mentorship, education, and career advancement, NWIR helps ensure that roofing remains a skilled, sustainable profession—one that attracts and retains talented people. 

Local councils like the one in Grand Rapids are where that mission becomes real. They take national goals and turn them into local action. 

The success of the Grand Rapids Council is a strong example of that mission working exactly as intended. 

Why This Recognition Matters Beyond the Award

It would be easy to look at this as just a plaque or a headline. But that would miss the point. 

This recognition signals: 

• A growing, engaged roofing community in West Michigan 

• Strong leadership committed to long-term impact 

• A model for how local councils can grow with purpose 

For anyone who cares about the future of the roofing industry—owners, managers, manufacturers, contractors—those things matter. 

A Milestone Worth Celebrating and Building On

Congratulations to the National Women in Roofing Grand Rapids Council for turning a vision into a thriving, engaged community. 

This Emerging Excellence Award marks an important milestone. More importantly, it sets the foundation for what comes next. 

From where we stand, this looks less like a finish line and more like the beginning of something that’s going to matter for a long time. 

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