Jolene Tate Joins NAWIC, Furthering Her Mission to Empower Women in Construction
For more than 20 years, Jolene Tate has been a force in the construction world. As the franchise owner of HireQuest Direct, she has grown her presence from a single staffing office in Nashville to 14 locations spanning Tennessee, Arizona and Indiana.
Along the way, she picked up notable honors—like the Iris Award, which recognizes leadership and community impact in a traditionally male-dominated industry, and the Staffing Provider of the Year award from the Associated General Contractors of Tennessee (AGT). Now, she’s adding a new accolade to her portfolio, though this one comes in the form of membership with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).
What Is NAWIC?
Founded to amplify the voices of women builders, tradeswomen and construction professionals, NAWIC is a vibrant organization featuring more than 6,000 members and 120 chapters nationwide. It provides networking opportunities, career development resources and leadership training for women across every corner of the construction sector.
Whether it’s a seasoned contractor or someone just starting out in the field, NAWIC strives to cultivate an environment where women can thrive, learn and innovate.
Why NAWIC Matters
So, why is Tate joining NAWIC such a big deal? If you ask her, it’s a natural evolution of the work she’s been doing all along—breaking down barriers and promoting inclusion.
“Becoming a NAWIC member is about staying true to my passion for seeing women excel in construction,” said Tate. “It’s also a chance to connect with like-minded professionals who want to see every job site become more diverse, dynamic and collaborative.”
Tate’s staffing offices, operating under the HireQuest Direct umbrella, are renown for connecting qualified workers with construction firms across the region. From carpenters to electricians and everyone in between, her team helps businesses find the right people to bring projects to life.
Last year, the company launched its TradeCorp division, which specializes in mechanical, electrical and plumbing staffing—areas where skill shortages can sometimes slow a project’s progress.
Tates emphasis on “giving all qualified workers a fair shake at success” resonates strongly with NAWIC’s goal of lifting up underrepresented talent.
Driving Positive Change
The NAWIC membership also underscores Tate’s belief that collaboration is key. She’s advocated for equality by founding Women in Networking Construction—a group dedicated to mentorship and support—and by sponsoring local initiatives that encourage women to explore careers in the trades.
When bestowing her with the Iris Award, the AGT recognized this drive and praised her for not only leading a thriving staffing enterprise but also spearheading community-focused programs and outreach efforts.
Becoming part of NAWIC serves as another stepping stone in Tate’s journey toward industry-wide inclusion. It reflects her philosophy that growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum—and that real advancement comes from thoughtful collaboration. She sees her new membership as an avenue for encouraging more women to step onto job sites and feel confident contributing to crucial builds across the country.
“I’ve seen firsthand how inclusive work environments spark innovation,” said Tate. “When women feel welcome and supported, we all benefit—projects flow more smoothly and teams become stronger.”
Looking Ahead
By joining NAWIC, Tate is positioned to share her perspective as a seasoned business owner who has navigated economic challenges, expanded her business footprint and championed women’s leadership.
