Inspiring Inclusion in HVAC: Johnson Controls Celebrates Bold Female Leaders This International Women’s Day
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The number of women in the workforce reached a record high in 2023[i]. Yet, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics[ii] reported that only 10% of mechanical engineers and only 2.3% of HVAC mechanics and installers are women. As the HVAC industry continues to evolve, ACCA Premium Corporate Partner Johnson Controls believes a diverse workforce that empowers women is crucial for continued growth.
“As a woman business leader and engineer, it is extremely exciting to see the increasing numbers of women STEM graduates,” said Lei Schlitz, vice president and president of global products at Johnson Controls. “The industry has made significant advancements in recent years, but as we look to the future, we need to continue to tap into the greater pool of talented women professionals who are our next-generation business and functional domain leaders.”
To support the advancement of women in HVAC, Johnson Controls has launched several initiatives, including the Women’s Global Network and the Rise Up: Women in Leadership Program, which explores the unique issues women face in the workplace and aims to enhance women’s leadership skills through sessions focused on personal development. These sessions cover topics including “Rocking Your Confidence,” “Owning Your Career,” and “Networking.” The company’s Women in Engineering and Women in Controls programs also target opportunities to bring women into the field and provide resources for long-term career growth. Additionally, Johnson Controls believes peer-to-peer support plays a powerful role in carving a path for women’s success. In honor of International Women’s Day, Johnson Controls is celebrating a few of the incredible women who are inspiring inclusion within the HVAC industry.
Christyn Mueller is passionate about advancing the HVAC workforce. As an associate director of partner enablement at Johnson Controls, she leads a team of facilitators who are responsible for designing and instructing technical and sales training programs. She also oversees a robust internship program, an initiative she spearheaded, that nurtures college students who are interested in a career in HVAC.
Christyn believes mentorship is paramount to career development – especially for women. It’s a resource she credits in advancing her own career. Christyn notes, “As a mother of three, I did not believe I could have a fulfilling career. It was my long-term mentor who showed me that being a mom did not make me less of an employee, but rather it provided me with experiences I could use within my work situations.”
Paying this advice forward, Christyn became a member of the Johnson Controls Ducted Systems Mentorship Program Committee and joined both Women in HVACR and the Johnson Controls Women’s Global Network. She also leads the North American cohort of the Women in Leadership program. She is passionate about connecting with other like-minded women who are working to make a difference within the industry. Outside of work, Christyn is thoroughly enjoying her current season of parenthood, especially when it leads to a great vacation.
When Rebecca Robbennolt was a high school student, STEM programs for girls were scarce. Today, as a global strategic account manager at Johnson Controls, Rebecca uses her professional experience to inspire middle and high school girls to pursue a future in science and math. Whether she is volunteering with Girls Empowered by Math and Science (GEMS) or her local Girl Scout chapter or is speaking at local high schools, Rebecca believes simply introducing girls to the possibility of STEM careers is a powerful step in breaking gender bias.
Rebecca is often described as curious, engaging and supportive. She uses these qualities in her role serving the world’s leading data centers and to build connections with her colleagues and peers. Rebecca is a member of the 7×24 Exchange community, the Women in Leadership Program, Women’s Global Network, and serves as a mentor for the Alpha Delta Pi chapter of her alma mater, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.
As a mom of two, Rebecca is equally engaged in her role as a parent. She is active within her children’s school, where she serves as the volleyball coordinator and treasurer of the athletic association, coaches three youth volleyball teams, and helps manage a youth club soccer team.
Tracey McCoy is a dynamic leader within the Building Solutions North America (BSNA) Applied Equipment leadership team at Johnson Controls, working as an area general manager. She started her career at Johnson Controls 22 years ago leading the Central United States Service organization. Today, she leads the YORK Agent network throughout the Western United States, extending out to Hawaii and Guam and as far north as Alaska. Along with a team of sales and operations professionals, she provides business leadership and technical guidance throughout a network of 13 Agents in 30+ unique markets.
Moving into her fourth decade, Tracey has witnessed many changes in the representation of women at Johnson Controls and in the HVAC industry as a whole. “Johnson Controls has always been intentional and progressive in their commitment to diversity and inclusion for all employees. I noticed it immediately when I came to work here. While we still have work ahead of us, I’m equally proud of the opportunities and recognition that women specifically have at Johnson Controls.”
Tracey lives on a ranch in Montana along with her husband and family of animals, including 2 cats, 3 golden retrievers, horses, and a miniature donkey named George Strait. When she’s not tending to the animals, she can be found hiking, biking, skiing, camping, kayaking, riding horses, and enjoying all of the outdoor activities that come with living in the mountains.
[i] U.S. White House, “Readout of Meeting with NABTU Tradeswomen on Opportunities for Women to Secure Good Jobs in Construction Trades” (December 6, 2023). https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/12/06/readout-of-meeting-with-nabtu-tradeswomen-on-opportunities-for-women-to-secure-good-jobs-in-construction-trades/
[ii] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Current Population Survey” (2023). https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat11.htm
Johnson Controls/York is an ACCA Premium Corporate Partner. To learn more about our Corporate Partner program, visit here or contact Kenzi Vizzari, strategic partners manager, at 703-824-8862 or kenzi.vizzari@acca.org.
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