Juanita Douglas is the Senior Manager of Construction and Labor Relations for Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, a nonprofit working at the intersection of economic equity and climate resilience in the California Bay Area and San Joaquin County. Juanita creates and develops pathways into state-approved construction apprenticeships for industry-certified apprenticeship readiness program participants from the underserved population. Previously, Juanita spent 30+ years in the field, first as a Commercial Carpenter and then as a Land Surveyor, with additional managerial experience in the Construction Trades. Juanita is an advocate for increasing the number of women in the trades.

Denise has been serving as a consultant in operations, administration, and human resources with various businesses for over 25 years, including apparel, wine, finance, and tax to name a few. Denise has successfully worked across the business at all levels, developing trust and building effective partnerships. Before consulting, Denise served in various roles for C-suite executives and marketing, where she showcased her knack for analyzing data and transforming it into actionable insights. Her proficiency in budget management and organizational skills bolstered her capabilities in crafting data-driven marketing campaigns. Denise has demonstrated her commitment to excellence with her interpersonal skills, and community development. She’s always curious, igniting the drive for innovation to question, explore, and discover new ideas and solutions. Her career journey has equipped her with a holistic skill set that bridges the gap between strategic planning and effective execution. Her passion is giving back and helping team members embrace their journey of skills development and career growth through fairness, trust, and respect. Denise received her BA in Business Administration from St. Mary’s College and PHR and Ethics certification through the Human Resources Standards Institute. When she isn’t working to solve people challenges or improving operational processes, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering in the community, reading great novels and suspense thrillers with her book club, exploring new places, fussing in the garden, satisfying her taste for good food, and music – all different genres. Denise is looking forward to contributing to the team and serving the women at Tradeswomen Inc.

Felicia Hall, a devoted professional deeply committed to community service and animal welfare, has over a decade of experience spearheading initiatives in her community. Her dedication shines through her work in child abuse prevention and advocacy, notably serving on the Children Services Coordinating Commission for San Joaquin County. Throughout her career, she has led multiple million-dollar initiatives, significantly impacting her community, stabilizing thousands of families in San Joaquin County through rental assistance, homeless prevention programs, and vital services such as CPS, Domestic Violence, and Foster Youth support, alongside facilitating pathways for parental self-sufficiency through job readiness seminars. Felicia's influence extends into fostering community collaboration through initiatives like a community closet, providing essential items like clothing, shoes, car seats, strollers, hygiene products, and school supplies. In her spare time, she gathers donations to feed homeless dogs in her neighborhood, finding happiness in life's simple joys she frequently escapes to the ocean to embrace the crisp sea breeze.

Debra Vasquez has devoted 39 years to a distinguished career in the construction industry, during which she established affiliations with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) and District Council 16 Local Union 12 (carpet, linoleum, and soft tile workers). As a Union Commercial Installer, she attained her Journeywoman's Card, and her outstanding abilities facilitated her first-place victory in the Local Apprenticeship Contest. This success enabled her to compete nationally, where she secured first place in the Carpet Division. Throughout her tenure with the Union, Debra held the position of Floor Covering Apprenticeship Training instructor and subsequently advanced to Lead Foreman, overseeing a variety of projects in the Bay Area. In the final five years of her career with District Council 16 Local Union 12 at Preston Homes Inc., she was elevated to the role of Superintendent. Notably, she is acknowledged as the first female retiree from Local Union 12 to receive a full pension. Debra continues to contribute to the Union and is dedicated to enhancing women's engagement in the industry and fostering opportunities for women interested in pursuing blue-collar careers within the Unions.

Mical Talamantes has worked twenty years in education and student recruitment for the private college sector. She has extensive experience in academic counseling and sales. Her professional experience includes case management and partnering with community-based organizations to provide supportive services to those in need. Born and raised in Stockton, California, Mical's success comes from overcoming her own adversity and challenges as a young mother. She is driven by her genuine desire to help and serve her community by promoting opportunities and change through education. Outside of her professional career, Mical enjoys physical fitness training, spending time with her loved ones and traveling as much as possible. She loves Spanish music and regularly attends concerts. Mical believes in a healthy lifestyle and living with positive intentions towards others. She is a new grandmother and looks forward to keeping up with her grandbabies in the future. Mical is very excited for the opportunity to join Tradeswomen, Inc. She looks forward to learning more about the trades industry and growing with the organization.

Almiesha "Miesha" Williams is a determined and compassionate woman with a strong interest in the construction trades. Throughout her life, Miesha has been inspired by family members' journeys in the trades. This lifelong exposure sparked her fascination with the field and drove her to pursue a career in the trades. Miesha received an AA in Liberal Arts and an AS in Criminal Justice. Her 8-10 years of experience performing manual labor in manufacturing plants and factories reinforced her grit and ability to succeed in male-dominated industries. Dedicated to uplifting her community, Miesha has been involved with several sports programs and community outreach initiatives focused on positive youth development and neighborhood revitalization. As a new team member at Tradeswomen Inc., Miesha is eager to encourage and empower other women to obtain sustainable careers in the skilled trades. By drawing on her perseverance and passion, she hopes to be an advocate for women facing similar workplace challenges. Outside of work, Miesha remains humble, curious and benevolent. She looks forward to the bright future ahead and is excited to make a difference for the next generation of women in the trades.