The Anthem of Change: Music, Engineering, and Using Your Voice
Engineer and singer-songwriter Kara Hermann joins Natasha Ozybko to discuss her viral anthem for women in construction and the power of breaking down silos in infrastructure.
In this twelfth episode of Conversations with MOXY, host Natasha Ozybko chats with Kara Hermann, an MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) specialist at Dome Construction in South San Francisco. Hermann, an engineer by trade, gained industry-wide recognition for writing and performing a powerful anthem for women in the field, titled "Hard-Hatted Woman".
The Engineer as a Songwriter
Kara Hermann’s journey into songwriting was a personal one that began as a gift for her mother’s 70th birthday. Despite only knowing a handful of chords on the ukulele, she found that songwriting became a vital therapeutic outlet during the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What began as a hobby soon integrated into her professional life. Hermann uses her musical talent to:
Humanize the Workplace She has written "jingles" for client interviews and songs to relieve tension for stressed superintendents on job sites.
Amplify Voices Her music serves as a medium for storytelling, capturing the specific experiences and frustrations of women in infrastructure.
"Hard-Hatted Woman": An Industry Anthem
Hermann originally wrote "Hard-Hatted Woman" for Women in Construction Week at Dome Construction. The song quickly went viral within the industry, leading to a live performance at the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) annual conference in Portland.
The song’s lyrics confront common stereotypes, such as women being perceived as "too aggressive" or only there to "make coffee". It highlights the "grit" and hard work required for women to earn respect in a "man’s world". Ozybko notes that the song captures the "visual aspect" and "profound reality" of women in trades, serving as an educational tool for men to understand their female colleagues' perspectives.
Overcoming the "Timid" Label
A central theme of the episode is the feedback Hermann received during a 360-degree peer review. Despite being a licensed professional engineer, she was frequently told by colleagues to "speak up more". Hermann admits that she often struggled with self-doubt, assuming she didn't "know enough" compared to others.
She wrote the title track of her album, "Speak Up Girl," to serve as a mental "earworm" to remind herself—and other women—that their voices are valued and necessary. She has seen this message resonate with women across generations, particularly older women who spent their careers being told to be quiet.
Culture as a Retention Tool
Hermann shares that she made the decision to leave a 14-year career to join Dome Construction specifically because she saw women in leadership positions there. This visibility signaled that the company was an environment where she could truly thrive.
Hermann emphasizes that Dome backs its inclusive rhetoric with budget and authority. Rather than just "checking a box," the company empowers leaders to actually look at business practices and make systemic changes. Ozybko adds that companies that fail to prioritize this face a significant "competitor risk"—losing their best female talent to firms that will value and promote them.
Conclusion: Judging Potential, Not Just Performance
Hermann concludes with a tribute to her manager, Ryan Young, for his role in her professional growth. She notes a pervasive industry bias where women are often judged solely on demonstrated performance, while men are judged on leadership potential. Hermann credits her success at Dome to a management style that sees "who she can be," not just "who she is," effectively breaking this cycle and allowing her to step into leadership roles with confidence.