When Jodi Wiemerslage joined the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), she had no intention of becoming president. In fact, she had only been a member for about three months when her chapter faced an unexpected challenge. There was no candidate willing to serve as chapter president, and without one, the chapter's future was uncertain. 

A charter member sitting beside her solved the problem in a matter of seconds. "She grabbed my hand, raised my arm, and said, 'Jodi will do it,'" she recalls with a chuckle. "I remember thinking, 'I don't even know what a bylaw is.' But she believed in me before I believed in myself." 

That moment changed everything. Today, Jodi is serving as the 2026–2027 National President of NAWIC, bringing more than 30 years of construction industry experience and 15 years of service to the association. A sales professional with APi Supply Lifts and a member of Southeast Minnesota Chapter #346, she has served in every elected chapter office before advancing through the national leadership ranks as Midwest Region Director, National Vice President, and President-Elect. 

But ask her when she first realized she was a leader, and she still hesitates. "Have I realized that I'm a leader yet?" she laughs. "It just comes naturally to me. I've never really thought of leadership as an attribute. If there's an opportunity, I usually take it." 

While her career has included project management, sales, and leadership positions, Jodi believes her greatest strength isn't found on an organizational chart. "I think it's the connection with people," she notes. "If I walk into a room and notice someone isn't participating, that's who I'm drawn to. I want to connect with them and find out who they are." That ability to bring others into the conversation has become the hallmark of her leadership style. 

She credits NAWIC with helping develop those instincts. "NAWIC gave me the platform to realize that I could do more," Jodi points out "Because people saw something in me, I wanted to see that in others."

Those who have worked alongside her describe her as a leader who listens first, values every perspective, and works to build consensus while still making difficult decisions when necessary. 

Jodi's presidential theme, Strong Foundations. Strong Future., reflects both respect for NAWIC's history and optimism about its future. "We're at a point where we need to stand tall on where we've come from and honor the people who helped build this organization," she explains. "Then we have to continue moving it forward." 

Jodi has watched the construction industry evolve dramatically. Women have earned greater opportunities throughout the profession, from the trades to executive leadership, but she believes there is still important work ahead. "It took generations of women standing up, supporting one another, and refusing to accept 'no' for an answer," she says. "We've come a long way, but we still have work to do." Part of that work, she believes, is refusing to settle. "We've got to stop accepting what's plateaued," she emphasizes. "Good enough isn't enough. We need to continue elevating what we do and giving it greater meaning." 

Jodi's determination showed up long before she entered the construction industry. In middle school, she was deeply involved in band, played saxophone, and spent plenty of time around marching band practices, where her father helped instruct. One day, she announced that she wanted to become the drum major.

The response was immediate: "Girls don't do that." For Jodi, that was all the motivation she needed. She practiced the precise 22.5-inch marching steps forward and backward, learned how to lead the band, and eventually became the school's drum majorette. She even had the opportunity to direct the homecoming show. 

"At the time, I didn't think of it as leadership," she says. "It was just something I wanted to do. But looking back, it was a leadership opportunity, and I went after it, in part, because someone told me no." 

That early experience reflects the approach she continues to bring to her career and to NAWIC: challenge assumptions, step forward, and create opportunities where others may not yet see them. 

As incoming president, Jodi wants members to notice something almost immediately: enhanced organization stronger communication, and greater consistency across the association. She envisions a national calendar that allows chapters to plan well in advance, educational programming that provides practical value, and resources that chapters can easily implement rather than creating everything on their own. 

"If members don't know what's available to them, that's on us," she insists. "We have to communicate better and make sure they know all the ways NAWIC can support them." She also believes that while NAWIC is a national organization, its heart beats at the chapter level. "The NAWIC experience happens in the chapter," she explains. "If someone isn't renewing their membership, it's usually because of the experience they're having there. We need to give our chapters the tools, education, and support to make every member's experience meaningful." 

Jodi also sees an opportunity to strengthen relationships throughout the construction industry. While NAWIC remains committed to advancing women in construction, she believes progress comes through collaboration as well as advocacy. "We need to communicate with our allies, build bridges, and make sure we're listening as well as speaking," she asserts "The more we work together, the stronger our industry becomes." 

When asked about the biggest challenge facing women in construction today, Jodi offers an answer that surprises many people. “Sometimes it’s ourselves,” she says. “We know we can do something, but we hold ourselves back.” She believes women often hesitate to raise their hands, speak up in meetings, or pursue leadership opportunities, not because they lack ability, but because they question whether they belong. That’s one reason mentoring means so much to her.

One of her favorite memories isn’t an award or election. It’s a phone call from a fellow member asking for advice about choosing between two job opportunities. “We talked through it, and today she’s thriving, buying a house, and doing well,” Jodi says. “Those are the moments that matter.”

Her goal is simple: help more women discover strengths they may not yet see in themselves. “I love connecting people,” she says. “I love helping them make their lives bigger.” Looking back, she realizes someone once did exactly that for her by raising her hand in a chapter meeting years ago. Now, as NAWIC President, she’s hoping to spend the next year raising up many more.