127 | The Future of Women in HVACR | Jane Sidebottom on Leadership, Growth & Opportunity

Show InformationEpisode Number: 127Date: January 12, 2026Duration: 35:37Host Contact InformationHost: Justin DeeseWebsite: JustinDeese.comContact: [email protected] Contact InformationGuest: Jane SidebottomCompany: Women in HVACRGuest Website: https://www.womeninhvacr.orgSummaryIn this episode of the Freedom Blueprint Podcast, host Justin Deese sits down with Jane Sidebottom, incoming President of Women in HVACR, to discuss her journey through the trades, her leadership path, and the future of women in the HVACR industry.Jane shares how early exposure to facilities management shaped her career, her experience working with industry giants like Trane and Carrier, and how she and her husband built a successful consulting firm impacting nearly $1 billion in industry revenue.The conversation dives deep into the mission and growth of Women in HVACR, including mentorship, leadership development, scholarships, and how the organization is helping contractors and companies attract, develop, and retain women across all roles — from technicians to executives.Jane also outlines the organization’s five-year vision, leadership strategy, and why creating clear career pathways is essential for the future of the skilled trades.Key TakeawaysWhy Women in HVACR has seen explosive growth over the last five yearsThe real challenges companies face when recruiting and retaining women in the tradesHow mentorship is accelerating confidence, leadership, and career growthWhy leadership vision matters more than ever in industry associationsHow contractors can better support women technicians and leadersThe massive opportunity for women entering HVACR todayChapters00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Jane Sidebottom01:10 – Jane’s Early Exposure to the Trades03:50 – Building a Consulting Business in HVACR06:00 – What Is Women in HVACR?09:00 – Why the Organization Has Grown So Rapidly12:20 – Jane’s Path to Becoming President13:45 – Leadership Vision & Five-Year Strategy16:30 – Retaining Women in the Trades19:00 – The Power of Mentorship22:15 – Real Stories from Scholarship Recipients26:30 – Opportunities for Women in HVACR Careers28:10 – How to Get Involved with Women in HVACR30:00 – Events, Conferences & What’s NextKeywords#FreedomBlueprintPodcast #JaneSidebottom #WomenInHVACR #HVACLeadership #WomenInTheTrades #HVACIndustry #TradeCareers #HVACMentorship #SkilledTrades #ContractorLeadership #HVACR #IndustryLeadership #TradesEducation #WomenInBusinessMentioned in this episode:Homeservicehoorah.com