Six Prominent Women Business and Community Leaders Offer Insights to Success; Plumbing Industry Executive Shares Experience
Kathryn “Kitty” Maloney-Langmade, president of W.J. Maloney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, along with five other prominent business and community leaders, recently shared their insight and experience with Xavier College Preparatory alumnae during a panel discussion, “Living and succeeding in a Man’s World – Women Who Thrive in Male Dominated Careers.” Langmade graduated from Xavier in 1982.
Joining Langmade on the panel were Betsey Bayless, former Arizona Secretary of State and current CEO at Maricopa Integrated Health System; Elena Flores-Breese, financial advisor and marketing director at Flores Wealth Management; Janel Glynn, an attorney with Gallagher & Kennedy, P.A.; Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Birmingham Scheel; and Sarah Calfee Shannon, a director for Copper State Nut & Bolt Company.
“What an honor to be on a panel with such distinguished women,” Langmade said. “And the fact that we are all Xavier alumnae confirms Xavier’s ability to create future leaders.”
Jenny Dwyer, a member of Xavier’s Alumna Association Steering Committee, said the panelists were inspirational and thought-provoking.
“We so appreciate when our alumnae come back to share their experiences with us,” said Dwyer. “And although these speakers represent such diverse career paths, their messages were relatable to all in attendance.”
The panelists were asked to speak about how they succeed in careers that are typically male-dominated.
Langmade, for example, whose employees are 90 percent male, did not plan early-on to go into the plumbing industry but her education, experience and outlook have helped her thrive in her industry and become a successful business owner.
“No matter what the make-up of the workforce is, the discipline to work hard, solve problems, keep at it and be a team leader are essential for success,” she said.
The other panelists echoed Langmade’s sentiments, sharing their paths to their current careers.
W.J. Maloney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has become a leading plumbing and HVAC contractor in the greater metropolitan Phoenix area. Working with many of the largest general contractors, the company has provided exemplary design build plumbing, from tenant improvement to complex multi-story projects that include many of the most prominent buildings in the Valley, including the new Chicago Cubs Spring Training Facility in Mesa, the Veteran’s Administration Southeast Healthcare Clinic in Gilbert, Phase IV of CityScape Phoenix, the Sky Train Project at Sky Harbor International Airport and the Mariposa Land Port of Entry expansion near Nogales.
W.J. Maloney Plumbing also provides extensive commercial and residential service, maintenance and repair, and is Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certified. For more information, call (602) 944-5516 or visit www.wjmaloney.com.
