The Natural Refrigeration

In 1916, when Margaret Ingels walked out of the University of Kentucky, mechanical engineering degree in hand, no one could have predicted that this woman, only the second in the United States to receive that degree would go on to help shape HVACR and blaze a trail for other women in engineering.

By the midcentury, she had worked to perfect the sling psychrometer for Carrier and was advocating for women in the profession alongside other female engineers.

Now, UK-based organization World Refrigeration Day, is continuing Ingels’ work – spotlighting other women in HVACR to raise their visibility for younger women contemplating entering the field – with Global HVACR Women Week.

“Not only does everybody have a responsibility to do this, it makes practical sense; to grow our industry we need to involve everyone,” said International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration President Gary Schrift. “[Ingels] knew that and was able to open the door for other women’s contributions to our industry.”

Shrift said IIAR is invested in following that example by participating in the HVACR Women Week event this year – a global community initiative connecting women and their colleagues across heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pumps.

Each organization participating in the event chooses a way to highlight women, and this year, IIAR has chosen to spotlight its almost fifty percent female staff with interviews and profiles published by the Global HVACR Women Week and the Natural Refrigeration Review, IIAR’s magazine.

“The Week is intended to make women’s contributions across HVACR more visible, strengthen professional relationships and help local industry communities connect,” said Stephen Gill, Head of Secretariat for World Refrigeration Day®. “IIAR’s community [brings] an especially valuable perspective.”

IIAR’s current Chair, Jeanna Emmons, is the organization’s first woman to lead IIAR. Emmons said her position feels like an important moment for the organization.

“I think what this role represents to me is that after twenty-five years of the door being cracked open [to women], me being in this position and Lesley Schafer [IIAR’s incoming Board Chair] being next in line means the door has been kicked open,” said Emmons.

“Everyone is welcome at IIAR. It’s important that [leadership] mirrors the membership. And we’ve finally done that in my opinion.”

Meanwhile, having shared goals as a volunteer organization can help women unlock their contributions to an industry, said IIAR’s Chair-Elect, Lesley Schafer. “This environment lifts us all up, from my experience the reasons we’re there are very equalizing.”  

Schafer said that relationships with other women are another big reason she’s felt a sense of accomplishment within IIAR and natural refrigeration.

“It’s because of Jeanna that I got involved. She said ‘you shouldn’t be scared, come to these meetings!’ So I got involved in the compliance and standards committee meetings. The chance to respond to these needs that our industry has makes you feel like you have a say, not just in helping shape the industry, but also in your own future.”

That environment of empowerment can go a long way in making women feel comfortable enough to make contributions in the first place, said Schafer. “I appreciate that we are involved directly in the conversation [at IIAR]. I feel like I’m in a room with equals, at this point it feels like family.”

Stephanie Smith, IIAR’s Marketing Committee Chair and Board member underscored the importance of the encouragement she received from other women in the field.

“A lot of people have things they bring to the table – or contributions to the industry that they don’t realize they can make,” said Smith. “When I came here, I didn’t know anyone, but then Beth Fox [IIAR’s past Marketing Committee Chair] asked me to be the committee Vice Chair and then I became the Chair. It’s that open acceptance of ‘sure let’s do it’ and the willingness to incorporate new perspectives and opinions” that helps women make contributions to natural refrigerants.

Smith said that the industry’s ability to incorporate women’s voices has changed dramatically in the last decade, spurred on in part by the efforts industry organizations have made to include them. “I noticed when I started out in mechanical engineering it was a 20 to one ratio [of men to women]. That’s changed a lot. Our industry has taken big strides in the grassroots and community.”

For Fox, serving as the first female Marketing Committee Chair was an exciting opportunity to help lead the organization. “Knowing that I had support from multiple folks in the industry gave me the courage and strength to do it,” she said. “In general, IIAR has always welcomed and supported women in those roles. It’s so inspiring and gives me hope for the future – knowing that there are women who are up and coming trailblazers. Our industry is in a good spot.”

Yesenia Rector, MPH, CARO, Vice President – Education, Outreach and Events, IIAR, said that the industry’s culture has evolved in a way that encourages women to get more involved.

“I think IIAR’s staff at this point works more efficiently and more creatively because we’re adding different types of minds, different perspectives and experiences. We have more of a variety of that within IIAR now and that’s a recipe for success. You cannot move forward without embracing diversity,” said Rector.

She added that her own experience has shaped what she would like to give back to the next generation of professionals in refrigeration.

“There’s a lot that you have to do as a woman and a leader, sometimes it’s easy to feel defeated. I had to prove my education, my preparation [to participate], but now I can encourage other women that they don’t have to show that they deserve to be here [before they can contribute].”

Rector said that often, having a more senior leader willing to lift the people they work with up is key for an organization.

“When women see other women in an industry, they tend to go towards it. The women on IIAR’s Board have grown in such leadership roles and have set up a great example of new talent in our industry.”

Dayna Martínez, PhD, IIAR Education Programs Manager said she appreciates the role she has at IIAR because it allows her to make a contribution to developing the workforce on behalf of the industry.

“It’s really exciting for me to see these powerhouse women in leadership,” said Martínez. “For me, the major contribution I’ve made so far is helping make this technical knowledge available to the professionals who are advancing the industry. That’s very rewarding.”

Martinez said IIAR’s environment of collaboration has supported her as well. “It’s things that are as simple as walking around the conference Expo with Mike Chapman [IIAR Vice President of Operations] and he’s really taking the time to explain all the components of a system to me. IIAR has provided the education and time needed to get me up to speed.”

Natalie Clay, IIAR’s Membership Coordinator echoed Martínez’s comments, saying that although she had no background in natural refrigeration, she still felt supported by the organization.

“When I first started, I had no familiarity with what IIAR does and no connection to the industry. But everyone was super helpful in bridging that gap for me, I never felt silly for asking a question,” said Clay.

Clay said one big signal of support that the organization gave to her was to double the allowed maternity leave as a permanent change to employee policy when she was starting a family.

“Definitely my colleagues are invested in helping. This experience has felt very collaborative and very equal, Gary cares just as much as Yesenia and they put the same amount of effort into building these opportunities.”

Rym Omniewski, IIAR’s Meetings and Expo Administrator agreed with Clay that a supportive environment can help people who want to work with IIAR or natural refrigerants get into the field.

“I had ten years as a teacher before I was hired by IIAR. They really helped me bridge that knowledge gap,” said Omniewski. “Gary has made sure that all of us, not just the tech people, understand what the industry is about.”

Now she says she can focus on lifting the organization up in turn. “I enjoy looking for the business opportunities through the conference and events and support the people who are moving the industry forward.”

Lisa Berryman, IIAR’s Senior Operations Services Manager, agreed with Omniewski that IIAR is invested in helping employees succeed.

“Inclusion is built into the work we do,” said Berryman. “Recently, IIAR for the first time has had officers on the board who are women. Seeing board members in positions of leadership is empowering for me and other women at this organization.”

“There’s a level of support here – it is them having an open mind and listening to everybody and having a voice.”

Berryman said that foundation of inclusion helps her pass the same on to IIAR membership. “I’m in a unique position to lift everyone up, I can be a partner to members in helping them navigate our administrative environment.”

While IIAR can be supportive internally, it’s the foundation of the organization that helps everyone succeed in the broader industry, said Catalina Aragón, IIAR Central America & Caribbean Chapter Chair and IIAR’s first female Chapter Chair in Central America.

IIAR’s support meant that “I didn’t need to prove anything, I just got to work with [IIAR] and it was very easy,” said Aragón. “I am not an expert in refrigeration, but I’ve learned a lot. I never thought I was going to be involved in this industry, but I have certainly been learning from them, they gave me this job and I’m going to work at whatever is needed.”

Aragón added that it is important to her for other young engineers in Costa Rica to see that so many of IIAR’s leaders are female. “In every field, if you see someone that is different – in an important position, you think ‘I can do that.”

“It’s always that way, when something is not common and there’s a change in point of view, it always inspires confidence in someone else.”