Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, sponsored the Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley Women’s Leadership Build on Friday, May 18. Simpson Strong-Tie CEO Karen Colonias participated in the build and spoke as part of a panel of women executives in the Bay Area. 

The Women’s Leadership Build empowers women leaders from local business and civic communities to make a concrete difference in the housing crisis by building affordable housing. The build took place in Central Commons, Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley’s 30-home development in Fremont. Simpson Strong-Tie donated $10,000, and other women leaders in the company including its VP of Human Resources and its director of Global Quality Systems joined Karen Colonias at the build.

“The Women’s Leadership Build is an incredible way to bring our community together to show what women can do to create profound and lasting change,” said Janice Jensen, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley. “Housing is a key issue, and it’s one that affects women and children especially. Simpson Strong-Tie has shown incredible commitment to this issue by supporting Habitat for years, and it’s wonderful to have them at the Women’s Leadership Build and lending a hand up to others.”

Simpson Strong-Tie has supported Habitat for Humanity for more than two decades and has been a national sponsor since 2007, donating more than $5 million in cash and products, including the structural framing hardware (connectors and fasteners) and reinforced shear walls used in new home construction. The company also supports Habitat for Humanity’s annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project and Habitat Strong, a program for building more resilient homes.