Knapp will discuss how targeted career development initiatives can help HVACR businesses strengthen their workforces by attracting more women to the trades and supporting their trades careers. Women currently make up only about 3% of HVAC technicians and installers nationwide, despite ongoing workforce shortages and strong demand for skilled professionals, a WHACVR press release said.

“We can’t grow the industry without showing women they belong here,” Knapp said. “That means helping women see the opportunities available in our industry and giving them the tools, guidance, and support to build successful careers. When companies connect with students early, they can open doors for the next generation of HVACR professionals while strengthening their own teams.”

Knapp will share examples of successful outreach efforts, including partnerships with schools, technical colleges, and workforce development organizations that connect young women with career prospects. Attendees will learn how these collaborations can provide access to financial assistance, training, and mentoring programs and other resources that can help close the industry's skills gap.

Joining Knapp as co-presenters will be Network of Women in Cooling leaders Sonya Pouncy and Ina Colombo. They will discuss strategies for attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. WHVACR was instrumental in the formation of the group in 2022 and is represented on its board by WHVACR President Jane Sidebottom.

"Lisa's extensive experience in leadership development and workforce strategy makes her uniquely qualified to address one of the industry's most pressing challenges," Sidebottom said. "Her work with Women in HVACR shows how organizations can strengthen their workforce by investing in recruitment, retention, and career development for women entering the trades."

In addition to her work with WHVACR, Knapp is president and founder of Sea the Possibility Leadership Consulting Inc., a firm specializing in executive coaching and development and organizational transformation. She has more than 30 years of corporate experience, including senior roles at Trane Technologies and Avaya, where she directed talent development, workforce strategy, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.

A passionate advocate for advancing women in the trades, Knapp also chairs WHVACR’s mentoring committee. Through initiatives such as the WHVACR Ambassador Program, the organization is expanding its efforts to introduce more young women to HVACR careers.

Click here for more information about the ASHRAE Annual Conference, and click here for more information about Women in HVACR.