BUILD WITH US! 2025 Blue-Collar Celebration & Awards
Thank You for Building With Us!
What an amazing time was had by all this past Friday at Build With Us! To everyone who participated, whether as a guest, award nominator or nominee, auction donor, raffle ticket holder, auction bidder, and beyond, you truly made a difference for Oregon Tradeswomen. In these uncertain times, community is more important than ever and you showed us that the Oregon Tradeswomen community is standing strong in solidarity! With you beside us, we are looking ahead at the future with renewed excitement, ready for whatever comes next. For that, we share our deepest gratitude. Thank you!
If you won an incredible prize from the Raffle or the Auction, you should receive an email this week notifying you of your win and detailing follow-up instructions for receiving your prizes. Please feel free to reach out to Nami Bigos at nami@oregontradeswomen.org for any questions regarding the event.
Poison Waters - Our Build With Us! EmCee
Poison Waters is not just a personality. Poison is an experience!! Whether dressed as Poison Waters or her alter ego Kevin Cook, they are both captivating and one of a kind!
For over three decades Poison has been having tons of FUN entertaining from countless stages throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond, coordinating, participating in and hosting an endless docket of benefits, revues and shows for various local, regional and national charities. When she is not enjoying her time hosting events and fundraisers or traveling the globe, she is the co-hostess at the legendary Darcelle XV Showplace where she has been wildly popular for 35 years. Featured in the best selling book, Legends of Drag, Poison was also listed in the Oregonian newspapers as one of the 25 most inspiring people of 2023. Whatever the title, event, cause or venue, one thing remains the same: the important bond between Poison Waters and her audience. She remains, “the smile on the face of Portland.”
Alix Zimmermann - Our Build With Us! Auctioneer
Alix loves bringing bold energy and cheer to all occasions with her special knack for making new connections feel like old cherished friends. Originally from New York, Alix has called the Pacific Northwest home since 2008 and loves it more with each passing day. She works passionately for organizations focusing on empowerment and uplift through support and inclusion, with a deeply-rooted commitment to repair the world. In her downtime Alix loves spending time with her friends and dogs, gardening, and traveling. She hopes you catch a dose of her infectious enthusiasm and lust for life while in her midst, as Alix believes joy should be contagious!
Maker's Silent Auction
The Maker's Auction!
Thank you to everyone who made and/or donated an item to the Maker's Auction! We are so grateful for your generosity and absolutely impressed with your skill.
If won an item in the auction, keep an eye on your email for follow-up about your purchase and how to receive your prize! Be sure to check your spam/junk folder just in case.
2025 Industry Awards
Thank you to everyone who made a nomination for Oregon Tradeswomen's Industry Awards! Each and every tradesworker nominated is deserving of recognition for their hard work, leadership, and care for their trades siblings. While each nominee left an impression on us for their contributions, we could only give out so many awards. Please join us in recognizing the nominees and celebrating our award winners!
Wanda Hall Legacy Award
This award honors the memory of Wanda hall, whose steadfast commitment to mentorship and support at the Portland Water Bureau helped many women find rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
Your 2025 Wanda Hall Legacy Award Winner
RaNon Chaussee, Journeylevel Electrician, IBEW Local 48
Nominated by Stevie Gilbert, Apprentice Electrician, IBEW Local 48
A dedicated tradeswoman and community leader, RaNon Chaussee embodies sisterhood in action. Through her work with the American Rosie the Riveter Association, she has preserved the legacy of women who paved the way for today’s tradeswomen—organizing parades, memorial events, and even a trip to Pearl Harbor to honor their contributions. Within IBEW Local 48, RaNon has served as a union steward, foreman, and advocate, ensuring members understand their rights and have access to support. Her compassion and leadership shine in the way she uplifts others: helping apprentices in need, mentoring single parents, and fostering solidarity among tradeswomen. RaNon’s impact extends far beyond her trade; she strengthens the entire community of women in the trades.
The 2025 Wanda Hall Nominees
Ana Rigsby - Sprinkler Fitter
Dolores Doyle - Electrician
Jaymie Van Orden - Construction Manager
Lisa Hummel - Carpenter
Liz Orejel - Project Manager
RaNon Chaussee - Electrician
Woman on the Rise
Celebrating tradeswomen with an exceptional work ethic, who demonstrate leadership, and are contributing to our industry.
Oregon Tradeswomen's Woman on the Rise award recognizes women in the skilled trades who are rising as leaders in their career, industry, or community.
Your 2025 Woman on the Rise Winners
Rachel Smith, Apprentice Cement Mason, Cement Masons Local 555
Nominated by Anna Martin, U-PACT Oregon Coordinator, Instructor, Ironworkers Local 29 AND Ashley Lautenschlager, Ironworker Apprentice, Ironworkers Local 29
Rachel Smith’s journey from incarceration to leadership in the trades is a testament to her resilience, determination, and commitment to growth. As one of the first participants in the U-PACT Oregon program, Rachel quickly distinguished herself as a top student and a mentor to others. Since joining the Cement Masons Local 555, she has become a highly skilled apprentice, continuously sought out for her work ethic and professionalism. Beyond her craft, Rachel gives back by volunteering with her union, advocating for fair opportunities, mentoring women entering the trades, and speaking with legislators to expand access to apprenticeship. Rachel’s story embodies transformation through hard work and the power of second chances.
Diana Loveall, Journeylevel Sheet Metal Worker, Streimer
Nominated by Teresa Bergan, HR Manager at Streimer
A master of her craft, Diana Loveall stands out for her exceptional skill and leadership in the sheet metal trade. Known for her precision, adaptability, and dedication to safety, Diana consistently delivers top-quality work while supporting and inspiring those around her. She mentors apprentices with patience and purpose, helping them build confidence and pride in their craft. Diana’s steady leadership and professionalism have earned her respect from teammates, contractors, and clients alike. Beyond her own job sites, she’s helping strengthen the future of the trade, championing craftsmanship, collaboration, and the next generation of skilled workers.
Sanjuana “Ely” Cruz-Frausto, Foreman, R&H Construction
Nominated by Jennifer Bianchini, Director of People & Culture at R&H Construction
Ely Cruz-Frausto exemplifies what it means to be a “Woman on the Rise.” As a Foreman at R&H Construction and a student pursuing her degree in Construction Management, Ely demonstrates exceptional leadership, dedication, and drive. She leads by example, arriving first, leaving last, and always seeking ways to improve processes and support her crew. Ely’s bilingual skills make her an invaluable bridge between English and Spanish-speaking teams, fostering collaboration and safety on every project. Her initiative on complex scopes of work, willingness to mentor others, and contributions to R&H’s Safety and DEI Committees show her commitment to continuous learning and inclusive leadership. Ely’s work ethic, problem-solving, and positive influence have elevated not only her projects but everyone around her.
The 2025 Woman on the Rise Nominees
Aleana Sharp - Structural Fabricator
Amy James Neel - Carpenter
Anna Martin - Ironworker
Autumn Hughes - Painter
Brianna Ivy - Deconstructor
Corilynn Steinhauser - Cement Mason
Diana Loveall - Sheet Metal
Ely Cruz-Frausto - Carpenter
Emilie Camacho - Sprinkler Fitter
Jennifer Rodriguez - Roofer
Jolleen Summers - Laborer
Liz Orejel - Project Manager
McKaylee Casey -Electrician
Nydia Caballero - Electrician
Rachel Smith - Cement Mason
Sara Mendez - Carpenter
Oregon Tradeswomen's Equity Champion Award
This award is given to an outstanding advocate in our industry who is a champion for equity. This year we are excited to announce Connie Ashbrook as our Equity Champion. Connie Ashbrook is a tradeswoman-pioneer, nonprofit leader, and advocate whose work has transformed opportunities for women in the skilled trades in Oregon and beyond. She spent 17 years working hands-on in the trades as a dump-truck driver, carpenter apprentice, and elevator constructor. Confronted with the isolation of being often the only woman on job sites, she co-founded Oregon Tradeswomen with three other tradeswomen, and in 1996 became its first full-time Executive Director.
Under Connie's leadership, Oregon Tradeswomen evolved from informal gatherings into a robust organization offering pre-apprenticeship training, career fairs, job placement support, mentorship, and advocacy. She championed institutional change, pushing unions, contractors, and apprenticeship programs to adopt inclusive practices. She also co-chairs the National Taskforce on Tradeswomen’s Issues to influence policy and share best practices.
Even after retiring from her professional career at Oregon Tradeswomen in 2017, Connie continues to engage in national policy, consulting, and supportive work for tradeswomen. Her legacy is one of breaking barriers and building sustainable infrastructure for women in nontraditional fields, one we hope to honor by naming her as our Equity Champion.
Sponsorship
Show your commitment to ensuring opportunities for women in our construction industry. Sponsorship offers you visibility and recognition opportunities and is an investment in Oregon Tradeswomen's work to build a skilled workforce.
Questions about Sponsorship? Please contact:
Nami Bigos, Deputy Director
nami@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.449.3315
Event Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
