With workforce in focus, Women of Asphalt appoints first executive director

This content appears in the Summer 2025 print edition of NAPA Quarterly. Subscribe here.

BY KATIE NAVARRA, CONTRIBUTOR

Aimed at empowering women across the asphalt pavement industry, Women of Asphalt (WofA) has celebrated explosive growth in the seven years since its founding.

Since 2018, the WofA has provided education, mentoring, and networking opportunities; supported the launch of multiple branches across North America; and established Women of Asphalt Day in 2024, a day-long event held in conjunction with the World of Asphalt.

“The event [Women of Asphalt Day] sold out. All 220 spaces,” said Sheila Barkevich, Immediate Past President, Women of Asphalt. “We asked the women in the room, ‘How many of you had the opportunity to come to World of Asphalt because of Women of Asphalt Day and would not have been here otherwise?’ Almost all the hands were raised.”

Rapid growth occurred under the stewardship of an all-volunteer board and leadership team with minimal contracted administrative support. In just seven years, 27 branches launched across North America, with several more in development. The overwhelming demand for training opportunities and networking marked the time to hire an executive director. In January, Brittyn Heisler became the organization’s first executive director.

“Our recent appointment of Brittyn as the first Executive Director of Women of Asphalt was a significant step forward,” said Ashley Batson, JD, WofA President and founding member. “Her extensive experience, including her work with the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, positions her well to lead the organization into an exciting new chapter. With her leadership, Women of Asphalt can continue empowering women in the industry through mentoring, education, and networking opportunities.”

READY TO LEAD

Heisler joined WofA prepared to step into the leadership role, bringing a passion for association leadership first discovered through an internship with her local Chamber of Commerce. As she neared college graduation, the local Chamber offered an internship to assist in achieving lagging grant milestones. The experience went so well she was offered a fulltime position and grew her love for associations.

“I’m passionate about getting to know people—what lights them up, what they’re great at, and how I can support them in overcoming challenges and connecting any missing dots.”

– Brittyn Heisler, Women of Asphalt Executive Director

When a position opened at the Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA), Heisler knew she could leverage her association background and expertise to run committees, promote programs and initiatives, and work with industry to support the Alliance.

“I feel incredibly blessed to have walked into such a supportive environment,” Heisler said. “NAPA and APA took a chance on me, guided me through the asphalt industry and teaching me how it all comes together. I’m so grateful to mentors like Amy Miller, Richard Willis, and Ester Magorka. Their support has helped me grow tremendously, and I’m excited to bring everything I’ve learned to Women of Asphalt.”

Three years into her role at the APA, the WofA executive director position popped up. Heisler said it was a hard decision to leave an organization to which she felt deeply connected, but the opportunity to lead Women of Asphalt was one she couldn’t resist.

“As we’ve grown, especially with branches expanding across the country, we’re not able to provide the same level of support as a board of volunteers at the national level,” Barkevich said. “Brittyn knows a lot of people, understands the industry, and is passionate about the mission of the organization.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Despite being a young organization, WofA has grown rapidly, striving to establish branches in all 50 states and expand into Canada by continuing to build a network that strengthens the presence and impact of women in the asphalt industry.

“The reason Women of Asphalt has grown significantly is the support of the founding members and specifically the industry,” Heisler said. “We would not be here today without the industry proudly supporting us and being willing to step in.”

Thanks to industry support through sponsorships and scholarships, all membership, education, and networking events are available at no cost. Two examples include the Caterpillar training scholarship, which drew more than 120 applications, and the Astec-sponsored Women of Asphalt Executive Seminar, which sold out in record time.

The organization’s mission and growth have captured international attention. The European Asphalt Pavement Association invited WofA leaders to travel to Europe to discuss the alliance.

“It is a big thing to see that internationally, people are watching what we’re doing,”

Barkevich said. “We have wonderful companies that have been our partners since we started. Through these partnerships, we were able to hire Brittyn and run all the educational offerings and networking events we’ve done so far.”

Looking to expand on its success, WofA leaders are focused on increasing awareness about the opportunities for women in the asphalt industry through outreach, marketing, and new initiatives.

“We are in the process of establishing a 501(c)(3) foundation to raise money for scholarship programs,” said Batson. “Through this new foundation, we will be able to support more women as they begin or continue their journeys in their asphalt industry careers.”

Heisler emphasized that while WofA is focused on female empowerment, male allies and industry partners play a crucial role in supporting women’s success in asphalt.

“We are trying to raise the profile of women and increase their awareness of all the great opportunities in the industry,” Heisler said. “But we need male allyship and want to empower men as well. There are men who have been proudly championing us since day one.”

---