Women of SMART Local 16
SMART Local 16 is proud and excited to highlight just a few of our amazing sisters during Women in Construction Week.
Paige Knight | SMART Local 16 Member
Paige Knight has been in sheet metal for 6.5 years and is almost finished with her apprenticeship.
“Paige loves to spend time with her two children, 3 and 1. She is a full-time single mother and is challenged by the everyday grind of motherhood, work, and friends. She is admired by many and sets a great example for other females in the trades. Paige is a very hard worker and enjoys hiking, gardening, and baking. She is currently building her own camping trailer too. She has been through some tough times lately and all while doing that she has continued to thrive in the apprenticeship and at work. Local 16 is lucky to have her in the trade.” – Charissa Schubert
Charissa Schubert | SMART Local 16 Member
Charissa Schubert has been in the trade for 11 years and currently works for Arctic Sheet Metal.
“Charissa’s journey from being a building trades apprentice to becoming the architectural shop foreman is a testament to her hard work and determination. She not only excels in her role but has also taken on additional responsibilities such as being the recording secretary for the union and a mentor to our members. Charissa also holds a current role as a CPR instructor at the Sheet Metal Institute. Her commitment to mentoring others, both formally and informally, shows her willingness to go above and beyond to support those around her. Her belief in helping anyone she can is truly admirable and serves as a great inspiration for those around her.” – Chelsey Bus
Madyson Ebert | SMART Local 16 Member
Madyson Ebert is a Field Lead at the OHSU IPA Project for Southland Industries
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Mady for most of her tenure in Local 16. Throughout that time, Mady has truly stood out as an outstanding union sheet metal worker. Her approach to every task is marked by meticulous attention to detail and a sense of ownership that consistently yields high-quality work. Mady’s work ethic and dedication have rightfully earned her recognition, leading to her recent promotion to the role of Field Leader. This promotion underscores her wealth of skills, professionalism, adaptability, and positive attitude. The team is truly fortunate to have Mady, and I look forward to watching her continued ascent in her career.” – Brian Kunze, Sheet Metal Field Leader – Southland Industries
Hannah Neff | SMART Local 16 Member
Hannah Neff – Apprentice working for Southland Industries
“For Women in Construction Week, I would like to highlight Hannah Neff. Hannah entered the Sheet Metal trade a little less than a year ago and has quickly become a valued member of the Southland team. She has shown immense growth in her attention to detail, communication, teamwork, safety, and her adaptability while representing Southland’s CORE values. Hannah is a role model and inspiration for women in construction and it has been my pleasure to mentor and work with her.” – Tyler Black, Southland Industries
Lori Kajkowski | SMART Local 16 Member
Lori Kajkowski has been in the trade for 21 years and is a Senior Estimator for JH Kelly.
“Lori’s journey in sheet metal is truly inspiring. She found the right mentors and resources to explore different facets of sheet metal, even in areas where women were traditionally underrepresented. It’s even more commendable that she used her experiences to give back as a mentorship program coordinator, helping others to learn and grow. Her dedication to lifting others up is truly admirable. And now, being sworn in to the Board of Mechanical Appeals, she continues to make a difference and be a trailblazer in her field. Lori’s story is a testament to the power of mentorship and the impact one person can have in shaping the careers of others.” – Chelsey Bus
Vanessa Steward | SMART Local 16 Member
“Vanessa Steward joined the union when she was 23 and has been in the trade for 28 years. She started as an apprentice where she helped at career fairs and trade shows, showing other women that women can get their hands dirty too. After completing the apprenticeship, she found herself running work as a foreman in the field while earning the respect of many workers with her leadership and showing her hands-on skills. Vanessa has been blazing the trail for sisters in the trade for years! She’s been pregnant in the field twice, raised 3 kids while working, was the first woman Organizer in local 16, and was the FIRST woman to serve as a building trades Business Representative for SMART in the United States. While serving the membership of Local 16, she sits on 7 committees, one of which is an international committee. Watching Vanessa lead the way has been such an inspiration to myself through the years, I’m so thankful we have her and proud to call her my sister.” – Korri Bus
Amber Montoya | SMART Local 16 Member
Amber Montoya (on right) is a 5th-year apprentice with Local 16, but before joining, she attended college, completing her bachelor’s degree in linguistics. She also has her associate degree in digital art. Finding that working with her hands and higher pay was important to her, she decided to join the union.
“Amber seems to put everyone at ease and make nearly everyone laugh. When we were first-year apprentices together, she was always grounded and practical about whatever tasks got tossed our way. She also cares about the future of our trade and works to bring it into the current day through technology. Another thing I admire about Amber is that she advocates for herself in her career. She’s known probably since our first year, that she was interested in CAD, and so pursued that while working in the field with many different crews. Just waiting for the opportunity to jump into the CAD department and really thrive there. When so many things are uncertain or have limited training, her problem solving, and sense of humor illuminate the path.” – Caroline Smith (pictured on left)
Victoria Burg | SMART Local 16 Member
Victoria Burg is a second-generation sheet metal worker who is an apprentice with Local 16 and has been in the trade for 6 years. She grew up surrounded by trades workers which inspired her to join the trades herself. She has always enjoyed working with her hands and keeping the family legacy of being an honest and hard-working person.
Being a part of the sheet metal union holds profound significance for me. It’s more than a professional affiliation; it’s a bond that resonates with commitment, solidarity, and shared expertise. In this union, I find not just colleagues, but a communal bond united by the common thread of craftsmanship and dedication to our trade. It embodies a collective strength that empowers each member, fostering growth and mutual support. The union represents a legacy of skill, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence, shaping not only my career but also instilling a profound sense of pride in contributing to a community that values skill, fairness, and the well-being of its members. There are many reasons why I enjoy working as a sheet metal worker. Beyond the tactile satisfaction of hands-on fabrication, the dynamic nature of this profession continually challenges me to innovate and problem-solve, it inspires a sense of intellectual engagement that transcends the physicality of the work.
“Victoria works in testing and balancing, which she finds very rewarding for herself because troubleshooting and fine-tuning a system requires innovation, collaboration and attention to detail that keeps her on her toes. We are proud to have Victoria as a sister in our local!” – Korri Bus
