More Than a Roof: A CEO's Mission to Reshape Construction and Community

GREENWICH, CT – June 03, 2026

In the sprawling, fragmented $800 billion building products industry, disruption often comes from billion-dollar acquisitions and tech-fueled logistics platforms. But this week, the most significant disruption came in the form of a single leader. QXO, Inc., the sector's fastest-growing consolidator, has named Vanessa Fusco the 2026 North American Female Roofing Professional of the Year. The award, while a milestone for Fusco, is more than a personal accolade; it’s a spotlight on the powerful undercurrents of social innovation and demographic change reshaping one of our economy's most traditional sectors.

Fusco is the CEO of Rejoice and Restore LLC, a Naugatuck, Connecticut-based roofing and remodeling company she founded. In a field where longevity is often the primary measure of success, her company’s trajectory is nothing short of meteoric. Since completing its first project just two years ago in 2024, Rejoice and Restore has scaled to multi-million-dollar revenues. But the numbers, however impressive, tell only half the story. Fusco has engineered a business model that treats social impact not as a corporate afterthought, but as its operational core, creating career paths for individuals in recovery from addiction.

For her win, selected from over 2,000 nominations via a nationwide public vote, Fusco receives a $10,000 prize and tickets to the industry's premier networking events. It's a recognition of what QXO's Chief Human Resources Officer, Josephine Berisha, calls a new standard for leadership. “The roofing industry is stronger because of women like Vanessa leading it,” Berisha stated. This award, now in its sixth year, has become a bellwether for change, pointing toward a future where leadership is defined as much by community impact as by profit margins.

A Business Built on Purpose

At the heart of Vanessa Fusco’s story is the quintessential entrepreneurial drive, but with a critical twist. While many startups focus exclusively on product-market fit and scaling, Fusco built Rejoice and Restore on a dual mandate: delivering operational excellence while building a scaffold of opportunity for those society often leaves behind. This mission-driven approach provides a compelling answer to the question I often explore: what is the “why behind the buy?” In this case, customers aren't just getting a new roof; they are investing in a cycle of restoration that extends from their home to their community.

This model is not charity; it is strategic. By tapping into a motivated, yet often overlooked, talent pool, Fusco is building a loyal, dedicated workforce—a significant competitive advantage in an industry plagued by persistent labor shortages. It’s a powerful demonstration of how social responsibility can directly fuel business resilience and growth. The company’s rapid expansion validates the thesis: purpose-driven business, when executed with operational rigor, is simply good business.

“It’s an honor to accept this award on behalf of the incredible women who are changing the roofing industry,” Fusco said upon receiving the award. “I’m proud to share this recognition with the women who mentored me, the team that shows up every day and the customers who trust me with their most important investment.” Her words highlight a key element of modern leadership—an understanding that success is a collective effort, built on mentorship, teamwork, and trust.

An Industry at a Crossroads

Fusco’s win serves as a powerful symbol in an industry grappling with a profound identity shift. Construction, and roofing in particular, has long been one of the most male-dominated fields in the American economy. As of this year, women comprise only about 5% of the roofing workforce. Yet, the broader construction sector tells a story of steady, undeniable change. The share of women in construction reached a record 14.4% at the end of 2025, the culmination of a decade-long trend that saw their numbers swell by 45%.

This influx is not just a matter of equity; it’s a strategic imperative. With an aging workforce and a chronic shortage of skilled labor, one industry analyst noted that companies “can’t afford to not tap into 50 percent of the population.” Women are increasingly filling critical roles not only in administrative and management positions but also in skilled trades, bringing new perspectives and problem-solving skills to the job site. Organizations like National Women in Roofing (NWIR), a partner in the QXO award, have been instrumental in creating networks for mentorship and support, helping to dismantle the cultural and practical barriers that remain.

These barriers are significant, ranging from a lack of properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) to persistent gender bias and a deficit of role models. Yet, for women who persevere, the rewards are tangible. The gender pay gap in construction is notably narrower than the national average across all industries, with women earning approximately 94 cents for every dollar a man earns. Leaders like Fusco, and the four other finalists for this year’s award, are not just succeeding within the system; they are actively remaking it.

The Power of Recognition and the QXO Playbook

It is no coincidence that a company like QXO is championing this change. Under the leadership of serial entrepreneur Brad Jacobs, QXO has embarked on one of the most aggressive acquisition campaigns the building products sector has ever seen. With the recent blockbuster acquisitions of Beacon Roofing Supply, Kodiak Building Partners, and the pending $17 billion deal for TopBuild, QXO is on a trajectory to consolidate a fragmented market and achieve its target of $50 billion in annual revenue.

Jacobs's playbook is clear: acquire traditional distributors and supercharge them with a unified, AI-powered technology platform to drive efficiency and expand margins. In this high-stakes economic environment, human capital is a critical variable. By publicly and financially celebrating leaders who innovate—not just with technology, but with people—QXO is sending a clear message. The future of the industry depends on attracting and retaining the best talent, regardless of gender or background.

Programs like the Female Roofing Professional of the Year are a sophisticated form of strategic innovation. They build brand equity, foster goodwill, and, most importantly, help cultivate the diverse, resilient workforce required to execute an ambitious growth strategy. It’s a long-term investment in the health of the entire ecosystem. As Fusco herself noted, “I hope our work inspires more women to pursue careers in roofing and other areas of building materials.” That inspiration is precisely what will build the foundation for the next generation of industry growth.