Vanessa Fusco Named 2026 North American Female Roofing Professional of the Year
QXO, Inc. has announced that Vanessa Fusco, Chief Executive Officer of Rejoice and Restore LLC, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 North American Female Roofing Professional of the Year award. The recognition is part of QXO’s annual industry program that celebrates women who are making significant contributions to the roofing sector through leadership, innovation, mentorship, safety advocacy, and professional excellence.
Based in Naugatuck, Connecticut, Fusco emerged as this year’s winner following a nationwide public voting process that featured five accomplished finalists from across the United States. As the recipient of the prestigious industry honor, she will receive a $10,000 cash award as well as tickets to attend the 2027 National Women in Roofing Days event and the International Roofing Expo, two of the industry’s most prominent professional gatherings.
Now in its sixth year, the North American Female Roofing Professional of the Year program has become an important platform for highlighting the achievements of women working throughout the roofing industry. The initiative seeks to recognize professionals who are helping shape the future of roofing while encouraging greater diversity and inclusion across the sector.
Each year, the program honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and contribute to advancing industry standards through their work. By showcasing successful women in roofing, the initiative aims to inspire future generations of professionals while acknowledging the growing role women play in construction, roofing, and building materials industries.
Fusco’s selection reflects both her entrepreneurial accomplishments and her commitment to creating positive social impact through business. She founded Rejoice and Restore LLC and successfully built the company from the ground up, transforming it into a rapidly growing roofing and restoration business.
Since completing its first project in 2024, the company has experienced significant growth, expanding quickly to generate multi-million-dollar revenue. Industry observers have pointed to the company’s rapid development as evidence of strong leadership, operational discipline, and a clear strategic vision.
What distinguishes Fusco’s leadership approach is the company’s mission-driven business model. Beyond delivering roofing and restoration services, Rejoice and Restore focuses on creating opportunities for individuals in recovery, helping them develop skills, gain employment, and rebuild their lives through meaningful work.
This commitment to social responsibility has become a defining characteristic of the company and has contributed to its reputation within the local community. By combining commercial success with workforce development and community support initiatives, Fusco has demonstrated how businesses can generate positive social outcomes while maintaining strong financial performance.
Her leadership style emphasizes both operational excellence and human-centered values. Employees, customers, and industry peers have recognized her ability to balance business growth with a commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and community engagement.
QXO executives noted that these qualities played a significant role in her selection as the 2026 award recipient.
Josephine Berisha, Chief Human Resources Officer at QXO, highlighted the importance of recognizing women who are helping shape the future of the roofing industry. According to Berisha, leaders such as Fusco are redefining expectations and setting new standards for excellence across the profession.
She noted that not only Fusco but all five finalists demonstrated remarkable achievements and leadership qualities that reflect the evolving nature of the roofing industry. Their accomplishments serve as examples of how innovation, determination, and strong leadership can drive success in a traditionally male-dominated field.
The competition attracted significant interest throughout North America. More than 2,000 nominations were submitted from across the United States and Canada, illustrating the growing number of talented women making meaningful contributions to the roofing sector.
Following the nomination process, a selection committee evaluated submissions to identify the finalists. The review panel included QXO executives, previous Female Roofing Professional of the Year recipients, and respected female leaders from across the industry.
The committee considered a variety of factors during the evaluation process, including leadership achievements, business performance, industry involvement, mentorship efforts, commitment to safety, and contributions to community development.
In addition to Fusco, four other finalists were recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to the roofing profession. Each finalist will receive funding dedicated to supporting professional development opportunities, helping them continue advancing their careers and leadership capabilities within the industry.
The 2026 finalists included Jennifer George, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Arizona Roof Services in Flagstaff, Arizona; Lauren Marsh, President of Ridgeline Construction HSV, Inc. in Athens, Alabama; Kathleen Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer of Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee; and Stacey Oakley, Chief of Staff at ProFormance Builder Solutions in Winter Garden, Florida.
Together, the finalists represent a diverse range of professional experiences and leadership roles within the roofing industry. Their achievements highlight the increasing influence of women across all aspects of roofing, from entrepreneurship and executive leadership to operations, workforce development, and organizational management.
Upon receiving the award, Fusco expressed gratitude for the recognition and acknowledged the many individuals who contributed to her success. She emphasized that the honor reflects not only her own efforts but also the support and guidance she has received throughout her career.
Fusco credited the women who mentored her, the employees who help drive the company forward each day, and the customers who place their trust in her business. She also expressed hope that the recognition would encourage more women to consider careers in roofing and related building materials industries.
Her message aligns with broader industry efforts to attract new talent and expand opportunities for women within construction-related professions. As labor shortages continue to affect many sectors of the construction industry, organizations are increasingly focused on developing inclusive work environments and promoting career pathways for diverse talent.
The continued success of programs such as QXO’s North American Female Roofing Professional of the Year initiative reflects this evolving industry landscape. By celebrating exceptional achievements and providing visibility to female leaders, the program helps strengthen the roofing workforce while fostering greater representation across the profession.
As the 2026 award recipient, Vanessa Fusco joins a growing group of influential women whose leadership is helping shape the future of roofing. Her entrepreneurial success, commitment to community impact, and dedication to creating opportunities for others exemplify the qualities the award was created to recognize and celebrate.
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