To celebrate International Women?s Day, we?re excited to share a series of articles highlighting the incredible women leading the way at ATCO Structures. Our aim is to showcase their achievements and the important roles they play in our company. At ATCO, we champion diversity and inclusion, with women in leadership positions across all our locations. Through these stories, we hope to inspire and emphasize the value of gender diversity in the workplace. 

In this installment, we are proud to feature Rachel Smith, Branch Manager in Colorado, at ATCO Structures USA. 

From Pipeline to Pinnacle

Rachel Smith's career journey is a testament to her resilience and determination. She started her career in 2014 on the pipeline in Tioga, ND as an office manager, a week after graduating with her bachelor?s degree. At that time, she was uncertain about her career path, but a job in the construction industry soon became her calling. After being hired by Hess Construction, Rachel realized how much she enjoyed working on construction projects and in the construction industry.

Coming to ATCO was one of the largest leaps of faith Rachel has made in her career. She joined ATCO in the summer of 2022 as an outside sales representative and was promoted to branch manager, relocating to Denver in the summer of 2024. Her inspiration to take on a leadership role came as a logical next step in her journey to continue her growth and development both personally and professionally.

Empowering Leadership

Rachel's leadership style is centered around empowering her team members to succeed on their own while ensuring they have the support they need from her. She believes in helping her team grow and reach their goals and aspirations. However, her journey has not been without challenges. Rachel has always expected the best of herself, and when she has missed the mark, she has sometimes let those setbacks undermine her confidence.

Rachel believes that effective leadership requires excellent communication skills. The most effective leaders are not afraid to hear bad news and invite others to be direct and honest with them. Her leadership journey at ATCO has been marked by significant milestones. At her previous company, she was promoted as the first and only female to join the executive team in less than five years after starting as an office admin. Within ATCO, she was promoted as the first and only woman to become a Branch Manager.

Mentorship and Milestones

Rachel's journey has been influenced by several mentors. The first influential mentor for her was a VP at a former company who saw her potential and gave her the opportunity to step into a business relationship manager role. He supported her through her initial growth and continues to visit with her several times a year to catch up and offer advice. Her current VP has also been a significant mentor, understanding her challenges and supporting her growth.

Rachel's advice to young women who aspire to be leaders is to not shy away from taking risks or think there is no place for them in an organization, even if they don?t see many other women excelling in similar or higher roles. Her favorite quote by Ava DuVernay is, ?Ignore the glass ceiling and do your work. If you?re focusing on the glass ceiling, focusing on what you don?t have, focusing on the limitations, then you will be limited?.

One of Rachel's proudest achievements at ATCO is her work as a founding member of a group called LOGIC (Ladies Operating for Growth in Construction), founded in Houston. Since relocating to Denver, she has established this group there and currently serves as the Chair. This committee strives to promote and support women in the industry and demonstrate to younger women still in school that there is a path and place in construction for them.

Rachel's Vision for the Future

Rachel's goals at ATCO are to continue her professional growth, both in service to the company and for herself. She hopes to hold a leadership position in business development one day and help all future sales reps with their growth. She sees the role of women in leadership evolving as more female leaders in the industry strive to show other women that they have a place. Rachel hopes to continue seeing current female leaders stepping up to encourage, mentor, and promote those entering the industry.

Championing Diversity: ATCO's Inclusive Culture

ATCO?s diversity in its employee population has created an environment that makes people from diverse backgrounds feel like they belong. Rachel is confident in encouraging other women to join ATCO with the promise that there is a path forward if they work hard, seek opportunities to grow, and are willing to take risks.

Rachel Smith's journey at ATCO Structures is a powerful example of how determination, mentorship, and a supportive environment can pave the way for women in leadership. Her story is an inspiration to many and a testament to the value of gender diversity in the workplace.