Second Chances and the South Lawn of the White House
Ironworker Heather Kurtenbach joins Natasha Ozybko to discuss her path from incarceration to the White House, union leadership, and maternity leave in the trades.
In this twenty-fifth episode of Conversations with MOXY, host Natasha Ozybko sits down with Heather Kurtenbach, Business Agent and Political Director at Ironworkers Local 86 in Seattle, Washington. This powerful conversation tracks Heather's journey from a non-traditional background—including two periods of incarceration—to introducing President Joe Biden at the White House. The discussion highlights the trades as a viable path for second chances and the importance of systemic support for women and formerly incarcerated individuals.
A Second Chance Through the Trades
Heather provides a candid account of her transition from prison to professional success.
The Reset Button Released in 2005 with only "$40 in gate money," Heather initially struggled to find employment until her brother-in-law introduced her to the ironworkers.
Building a Foundation Heather’s work ethic was forged during three years on a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) crew while incarcerated, where she fought wildland fires and learned to operate heavy machinery.
The Evaluation Despite the cold and the physical demand, Heather excelled at the ironworkers' evaluation day, where she was recognized not by name, but by a number, and ultimately accepted into the apprenticeship.
Breaking the "Good Old Boys" Club
Heather’s career is marked by numerous "firsts" and a commitment to opening doors for others.
The First Female Business Agent After 14 years in the field—serving as a foreman, general foreman, and superintendent—Heather was tapped to become the first female business agent for Local 86.
Political Advocacy As Political Director, Heather lobbies in Olympia for labor-friendly laws and testifies before the Seattle City Council on transportation levies.
Sponsorship and Visibilit She emphasizes the impact of Lee Nugent, the coordinator who explicitly told her the union wanted women "just like her," providing the confidence she needed to succeed in a male-populated sector.
Systemic Support for Women and Families
The episode highlights Washington state as a leader in industrial equity.
Historic Maternity Leave The Ironworkers International was the first construction labor union to offer paid maternity leave (starting in the second trimester) to ensure both mother and baby stay safe from dangerous job sites.
Sanitary Protections Heather helped pass legislation in Washington requiring contractors to provide menstrual products and private, clean spaces for breastfeeding mothers to pump—complete with water and refrigeration.
Childcare Innovation The episode discusses a "mega project" (Portage Bay) that allocated $1 million to help apprentices offset childcare costs, addressing a major barrier to workforce retention.
Conclusion: "Keep Doing the Next Right Thing"
Heather concludes by urging employers to "ban the box" and look past preconceived notions about formerly incarcerated individuals. She reminds the community that 90% of those given a second chance will be stellar, grateful employees. Her final mantra—"keep doing the next right thing"—serves as a reminder that every person is more capable than they realize and that a diverse workforce is the primary solution to the nation's infrastructure labor shortage.