Page 6 - Texas811 Magazine 2021 Issue 2

By Ketha Molina
Texas811 Damage Prevention Manager
Who are the Leading Women of Damage Prevention? We are!
Our newly formed organization, in association with the DPC of Texas, is a social enterprise designed for the advancement and discovery of leadership for all women who have an interest in the protection of underground infrastructure. We come from all aspects of the industry; oil and gas, one-call, construction, utilities, pipeline, municipal and county, engineering, line locating, and many other related fields, all with some tie to utility and pipeline damage prevention.
Much of my career has been in construction, an industry where
women comprise a mere 10% of the workforce. My many years as Safety Director serving a male dominated workforce provided my vision for creating the Leading Women of Damage Prevention (LWDP). As I pivoted from building infrastructure to protecting infrastructure, my life experience has taught me many things. My top three would be these:
1) You must learn the business in which you are working.
2) Don’t self-reject. (Yes, apply for the
job. Yes, write the article and submit it. Yes, speak up with your ideas at the meeting.)
3) Invest in You. The more you invest in your education, your support system, your learning, your hands-on experience, the better equipped you will be to take on a formal or informal leadership role.
We, Ladies, are working in a male dominated industry and need the tools, networking, and mentorship to help
us excel. The LWDP invites you to join us as we work towards our mission “to influence and encourage all women
in the damage prevention industry
to be bold, confident and brilliant through collaboration, empowerment and networking.” Let’s - Be Brave. Be Confident. Be Brilliant. - Together.
Our Purpose:
To provide educational and development opportunities for those who seek to advance as leaders.
To optimize engagement with leading innovators and subject matter leaders in this industry.
To facilitate discussions of leader competencies and best practices, led by experts in the field.
To create a supportive environment.
Join me and the LWDP Board of Directors for our official launch webinar on April 29, 2021 at 10:00 am to learn more about who we are and what we strive to become. Register to Attend Meeting at www.dpcoftexas.org
When asked, “What tip would you give to our Leading Women?”, Shakheana Fields, LWDP Vice President said; “I recently heard in a webinar, after a woman gets past the glass ceiling she’s standing on glass”. We all know the feeling within that analogy. Let’s make it a point to lay the cement for the future ladies in damage prevention.”
For questions regarding the launch webinar, organizational membership, sponsorship and/or comments, go to www.dpcoftexas.org or reach out directly to KethaMolina@Texas811.org
4 • Texas811 2021, Issue 2
LWDP Launch Webinar Thursday, April 29 10:00 am – 11:00 am www.dpcoftexas.org