Today, she aims to raise the value of blue-collar work by raising the leadership standards within it.

"The road wasn’t easy, but I kept showing up — working, learning, and growing,” Howard said.

As founder of The KP Performance Group, Howard partners with business owners to build high-performance teams by developing leadership systems, streamlining operations, and cultivating a culture where accountability, purpose, and profitability align.

“I believe the fastest way to grow any HVAC or plumbing business is to develop the people who lead the people, creating a pathway to prosperity for anyone willing to show up and work hard, regardless of your gender, race, the country you were born in, or even your criminal history … My ultimate goal is to help create career pathways in the trades that change lives — especially for those who never thought they’d get a chance,” Howard said.

Howard’s influence in the industry is grounded in hands-on experience. She’s held nearly every role in a contracting business — CSR, service tech, call center manager, service manager—and has used that knowledge to develop systems that serve employees as much as they serve the company. She also built the company’s global operations during a global crisis.

“During the pandemic, I relocated to Armenia to launch an offshore support center for Lee’s Air, creating stability for our CSRs, HR, accounting, and payroll operations. It not only allowed us to scale through uncertainty — it gave me a global perspective on leadership and a deep appreciation for immigrant talent,” Howard said.

The result? Higher team performance, stronger margins, and life-changing wage increases for all the people who believed in Howard.

“The trades gave me a chance, and I’ve built my life around paying that forward,” Howard said.