Meet Allie Perez: Breaking Barriers in Construction and Energy
Allie Perez’s journey is anything but conventional, from the stages of Shakespearean theater to the construction sites of Texas. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Allie’s early years were enriched by frequent visits to New York City, where family connections gave her a taste of big city life. After graduating from New York University and spending an additional year in the Big Apple, she felt the pull of her Texas roots and returned home.
For 15 years, Allie Perez carved out her place in the male-dominated construction industry, managing plumbing and HVAC companies
. Recognizing her unique position as often the only woman in the room, she took action. She founded Texas Women in Trades / Texas Women Work, an organization dedicated to increasing diversity in the skilled construction trades by creating opportunities for women, people of color, and young professionals.
Today, she has evolved into a new role: a fellow through ORISE and the Department of Energy’s RAMP initiative in Texas. Her mission? Ensuring Texas energy projects have access to a highly skilled, quality workforce. This transition represents a career move and a continuation of her commitment to workforce development and industry advancement.
The path hasn’t been easy. Allie faced significant challenges, including gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and a lack of mentorship in non-traditional occupations. Rather than letting these obstacles defeat her, she transformed them into fuel for her ambitions. Her persistence has paid off, earning her recognition as one of the San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 under 40 in 2024, among other industry accolades.
What sets Allie apart is her unwavering commitment to persistence and consistency—wisdom she gleaned early in her career from an experienced salesman. She brings positive energy to every interaction, using humor and warmth to create comfortable environments where people can showcase their best work.
Perhaps most surprising is Allie’s background in Shakespearean acting, a passion she continues to pursue through local productions and commercials. This theatrical foundation may explain her natural ability to connect with others and command attention professionally.
Allie’s vision extends beyond personal success. “When I leave this world, I want it to be better because of my work and efforts,” she says. This mission drives her daily actions and long-term goals. She remains open to collaboration and community support and welcomes connections through LinkedIn.
Her parting advice is simple and powerful: “Listen to your gut and keep going. Stay busy and kind.” These words encapsulate her approach to life and work, which combines intuition with persistence and productivity with compassion.
Allie Perez’s story demonstrates how determination, resilience, and a commitment to positive change can transform not just a personal career trajectory but entire industries. Through her construction, workforce development, and energy work, she continues to break barriers and create opportunities for others to follow in her footsteps.
