As President and CEO of Benkari LLC., a plumbing, water conservation, and service/repair contractor, Adrienne merges technical mastery with a deep commitment to social impact. Her mission is rooted in creating employment opportunities and cultivating the next generation of skilled trades professionals through mentorship, training, education, and long-term career development. Adrienne Bennett has been setting the construction Industry’s bar higher by never settling, and she continues to do so! Here’s the conversation she recently had with NAWIC’s Industry Impact.

How do you actively advocate for the representation of women in plumbing and other traditionally male-dominated trades? I advocate for women by showing up every single day, on time, prepared, and unwilling to take shortcuts. My consistency, work ethic, and refusal to make excuses have been my loudest form of advocacy. When people see a woman and a Black woman excel in spaces where we were never expected to succeed, it challenges stereotypes and expands what others believe is possible.

My foundation comes from my mother, Mrs. Lucille C. Allen. In the 1950s, she worked the loading dock at Oscar Mayer and outperformed two of her male counterparts. They were fired, and she was given their wages earning her $17 an hour at a time when that was unheard of for a Black woman. She passed away at 100 years old in January 2025, and every day I try to reflect her strength and be an example. I am my mother’s daughter, her rock, and I carry her work ethic with me every day.

That’s why I’m in my office at 7:00 a.m. and why I continue to mentor, encourage, and support women entering the trades. By living the example, sharing my story, and holding the door open for others, I advocate not just with words, but with action.

What do you believe to be the critical elements necessary for cultivating an inclusive workplace culture that empowers individuals from all backgrounds within the industry? The critical elements are clear: courageous leadership, accountability, safety, and a commitment to dismantling harmful norms. When these elements are in place, individuals from all backgrounds can thrive, contribute, and lead.

Let’s start with eliminating the longstanding behaviors that have harmed women and people of color for generations: the “good old boy network,” the “boys will be boys” mentality, unchecked male ego, and the privilege that excuses harmful conduct. Real inclusion requires dismantling these cultures, not just talking about them.

Sam Clark, President of Clark Construction Michigan was the first to reveal true leadership when his opening remarks were a public apology to all the women who had been harassed, harmed, or dismissed in this industry. In 40 years, I had never heard a man, especially one in power, acknowledge our pain. That moment proved that change begins when leaders with influence choose courage over silence. Leaders like Mayor Coleman A. Young, who had the courage to enforce Executive Order 22, show how policy can create opportunity and equity. Further, harassment, intimidation, and violence on job sites must carry real consequences. The tragic murder of Amber Czech in 2025 is a reminder that safety is not optional; it is a right.

My own journey of 40-plus years included harassment, threats, and physical harm. I stayed because representation matters and because change requires people willing to stand firm until the culture shifts.

• Mentorship and apprenticeship programs through unions, trade schools, and community organizations.
• Professional associations like NAWIC, MCA, and local skilled trade networks that offer training, scholarships, and support.
• Women-owned companies and leaders in the trades who can provide real world guidance, opportunities, and examples of what’s possible.
• Educational exposure early in middle school and high school programs that introduce young women to tools, jobsite tours, and hands-on learning.
• Business and leadership training for those who want to own companies, manage teams, or shape policy.

From your personal journey what success stories might you share that exemplify the impact of a diverse approach in the workplace? A critical experience comes from one of the most difficult moments in my apprenticeship just two weeks before my State of Michigan journeyperson plumbing exam. I was suddenly reassigned to the lowest level job on an unfamiliar job site and then ordered to complete tasks that were both unsafe and unreasonable. My insistence on using the proper tools led to the foreman’s threats against my apprenticeship and future in the trades; I was alone, or so I thought. A young, white male coworker stepped forward and said, “Leave her alone. I’ll do it.” And he did, safely and completely, and walked away without asking for recognition. His courage interrupted a dangerous situation and reminded me that allies can come from anywhere. Later, when the same foreman tried to have me removed from the program, a business agent, Jim Jolly, intervened on my behalf. I was able to take the exam on time and went on to become the first woman to complete the UA Plumbing Apprenticeship in North America.

A diverse workplace is about people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and values stepping up to support fairness, safety, and respect. I survived that moment because someone chose integrity over silence. That is the impact of diversity: it creates environments where people protect one another, challenge injustice, and make room for everyone to succeed.

**This order was superseded by Executive Order No. 2007-1, September 10, 2007