Welcome to another installment of the Hazard Girls Podcast! Today on the show we get together with Nora Casanova, the Logistics Manager at Karsten Interior Services, a commercial construction subcontractor in Houston, Texas. Nora has three degrees to her name, including International Business, Supply Chain Management, and Entrepreneurship from the University of Texas, and is currently enrolled in the University of Texas, at Arlington Construction Management Master’s program. She is also on the board of directors for the National Association of Women in Construction and led this year’s Women in Construction Week Committee in Houston. While Nora is clearly a logistical genius, she also thrives on the chaos that comes from working in the construction industry. In our conversation, we discuss how Nora got into construction, what she loves about it, and how her education in logistics has helped her in the industry. Tuning in you’ll hear about the fashion show at this year’s Women in Construction Week, and what Nora has planned for next year. We also discuss the value of finding women in construction to support your career journey and what it means to collect a board of directors for your career. Finally, Nora elaborates on the importance of representation for women in construction on social media, and some of the steps being taken to enhance their presence online. Tune in for key insights into this exciting industry and how women are thriving!
Sn. 4, #10 Nora Casanova: Mentorship, Representation, and Construction
Emily Soloby
Emily received her BA in Women’s Studies and JD from Temple University. Early on, she worked as a legal advocate for women in domestic violence cases. After practicing law, Emily began working on the business side of things. She is the co-owner of AAA School of Trucking, a truck and heavy equipment safety training firm, which she has spent the last 10 years growing into a thriving national business through government and military contracting and corporate partnerships.
As an executive in the transportation industry, darting from client meeting to trucking range required safety boots that met her style standards, and when she couldn’t find them anywhere, she created Juno Jones Shoes. Emily trained in shoemaking in Cuernavaca, Mexico and at the Brooklyn Shoe Space, and assembled a powerhouse team of designers, consultants, and industry experts to bring Juno Jones to life. Through Juno Jones Shoes, Emily is fulfilling her dream of not only providing women with safe, stylish footwear options for their jobs but of helping to normalize and empower women in traditionally male-dominated fields.
For more information go to junojonesshoes.com.
Nora Casanova
Nora graduated with three degrees in International business, Supply Chain Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Texas at El Paso, she completed the Harvard Business School online Management Essentials certificate program and is currently enrolled in the University of Texas at Arlington Construction Management Master Program. Nora started her construction career with Karsten Interior Services six years ago. Her position involves resolving inefficient existing operational performances, and developing business strategies that improve productivity in daily logistics operations. She works directly with project managers and vendors to procure material for work to be performed on commercial construction projects.
Nora serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association for Women in Construction and leads this year’s Women in Construction Week Committee. She is also in charge of the Houston NAWIC Mentoring Program. Additionally, Nora is the co-chair for the Associated Builders & Contractors of Greater Houston Ladies Operating for Growth in Construction Committee. Because of her skills, leadership qualities and community involvement she was recently recognized as a Rising Star leading Houston’s Commercial Real Estate by Bisnow.
Nora’s passion is to promote and celebrate women in the construction industry, which led her to create Women in Construction on the Go, a social platform to inspire, inform and connect women working in the construction industry.
