Women in HVACR celebrates industry leaders, professional growth at 2026 annual conference

Built for Speed event in Indianapolis delivers three days of education, mentorship, networking and recognition

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Women in HVACR (WHVACR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration trades, wrapped up its 2026 annual conference Sept. 27-29 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, bringing industry professionals together for three days of education, networking and recognition.

The racing-inspired conference featured keynote speakers Christine Cashen and Rebecca Heiss, interactive workshops, Momentum Moments and networking events focused on leadership, career development, communication, technology and business growth.

"Every year, this conference shows what can happen when women across HVACR come together to share their knowledge and invest in one another," Women in HVACR President Jane Sidebottom said. "Attendees came ready to learn, exchange ideas and build relationships that will continue long after the conference ends."

Women in HVACR recognizes 2026 Pillar Award winners
Women in HVACR recognized three industry professionals with its Pillar Awards, which honor women who exemplify the organization's core pillars of mentorship, education and networking.

• Lori Tschohl, owner of Eagle Pipe Heating & Air, received the Mentor Pillar Award. With more than 35 years of business leadership experience, Tschohl has built multiple successful businesses and grown Eagle Pipe from a small gas piping operation into a full-service HVAC and plumbing company. A past president of Women in HVACR, she also serves in industry coaching, mentoring and advisory roles.
• Crystal Naegle, HVAC assistant coordinator for United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) Local 525, received the Education Pillar Award. Naegle spent more than a decade teaching high school and college students at the College of Southern Nevada and has served as an HVAC lead, program director and department chair overseeing 13 programs.
• Becky Hoelscher, senior account manager at Arkema, received the Network Pillar Award. Hoelscher has nearly 20 years of industry experience in procurement, sales and marketing. She has been active with ACCA, NATE, HARDI, PHCC and PAHRA and has served vocational schools in an advisory role.

Leadership Awards recognize excellence across the industry
Women in HVACR also presented its 2026 Leadership Awards, recognizing leaders making an impact across the HVACR and home services industries.

The 2026 Leadership Award recipients are:

• Sonya Fryer, client success manager for CertainPath, Advocate Leadership Award
• Rosa Leal, senior manager of global product strategy and customer experience at Rheem Manufacturing, Manufacturer Leadership Award
• Treasure Boston, owner of Cline's Heating & Air, Office and Operations Leadership Award
• Teri Rogers, chief marketing technology officer at Alps Controls, Vendor and Distribution Leadership Award

"These award recipients reflect the many ways leadership can make an impact in HVACR," Sidebottom said. "Through mentorship, education, networking and innovation, they are opening doors and helping more women build successful careers in our industry."

Other conference highlights included the Starting Line Reception at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, a mentorship mixer, Vendor Expo Tailgate Party, Green Means Go Gala and a "Grease" themed party. Workshops and Momentum Moments covered AI, personal branding, workforce retention, communication and leading through change.

For more information, visit womeninhvacr.org.

About Women in HVACR
Since 2002, Women in HVACR has worked to increase the number of women in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigerant (HVACR) industry and empower women to succeed by providing members with a variety of opportunities to network and develop a professional environment through education and mentorship. The 1,200-member nonprofit organization holds a variety of regional and national events each year and provides scholarship opportunities for women who pursue careers within the HVACR industry, including those who seek engineering and business degrees or a trade school education. For more information about Women in HVACR, visit womeninhvacr.org.

SOURCE Women in HVACR