Since 2017, Shandon Harbour has served as CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors of San Diego (known as ABC), a trade association that provides training and other services for primarily small and mid-sized contractors. Although a leader in the industry, Harbour is not a skilled construction work er. She is a former elementary school teacher. The construction industry has historically been male-dominated. But, breaking glass ceilings has not been the focus of Harbour’s leadership, despite being ABC’s first female CEO. “It’s been about delivering results,” she said. “And it’s worked out great. I’m still here at ABC and love it.” Born in 1969 and raised in Point Loma, Harbour’s father instilled a “can do” attitude that has stuck with her. “He always pushed me to do more and be confident,” she said, recalling an example when she was 8 competing in a sailboat race with older boys and faster boats. “I struggled, and the boys teased me. I sailed to the dock, tears streaming down my face while telling my dad that I quit. He promptly turned my boat around, pushed me off the dock and yelled, ‘Go get them!’ I floundered and cried, but it was a valuable lesson. I don’t give up easily.” Beginning at 14, she worked after school and during summers in the family-owned alarm business, which she continued doing through high school. After graduating college in 1991, Harbour felt a calling to teach, earned credentials and taught second grade, third grade and middle school for San Diego Unified. In 2002 she left teaching to help her father in the business. Five years later, at 37, she became president. “The business had 110 employees, mostly men,” she recalled. “This was clearly nepotism, and there were many skeptics. A lot of gossip and nasty comments about the bosses’ daughter inferring, ‘We don’t need to listen to you.’ Some people were really rude. “I had to earn respect.” Harbour said she worked hard to learn the business from the ground up, went on ride-alongs, learned to install an alarm, got to know employees and solved problems. “I earned respect by delivering consistent results,” she said, noting efficiencies improved and profits increased during her seven years as president. We created a great company culture.” In addition to industry recognitions, she was named a “Most Admired CEO” finalist by San Diego Business Journal and one of SD Metro’s “40 Under 40” outstanding leaders. In 2014, she negotiated a lucrative sale of the family business and, shortly thereafter, was solicited to join ABC’s executive staff. Three years later she became CEO. Again, she had to earn respect in a male-dominated environment, particularly since she wanted to make changes. “I wanted to change from a command-and-control narrative to people-centered,” she explained. “From directive and authoritative to coaching, conversations, learning, understanding.” “Gen Z [teens to 29] know that AI will eliminate many careers, but not the trades. To attract GenZ, we need to understand they are looking for a people-centered narrative.” Drawing on her teaching experience, Harbour took a special interest in a people-centered approach. She enhanced communication and began a newsletter. She expanded member, employee and apprentice training programs and even included a training subject previously off-limits. “The construction industry has the second highest rate of suicide,” she said. “Yet, historically, little has been done. Men in construction have not typically shared their feelings with supervisors.” She earned a certification for suicide training in 2024 and incorporated the subject in ABC’s training programs. “Some students talked to me about their suicidal thoughts,” she said. “Many thanked me for covering the topic.” There was initial resistance to her focus on a people-centered approach and incorporating suicide prevention in training programs. That eased with positive feedback from students and multiple awards as a high-performing chapter from ABC’s national organization. Harbour is proud that during her tenure San Diego’s ABC has experienced consistent growth in membership, popularity of training programs, technology advances and industry leadership. Explaining her path to success, Harbour said, “It’s always been about leaving that boat dock.” About this series Goldsmith is a Union-Tribune contributing columnist. We welcome reader suggestions of people who have done something extraordinary or otherwise educational, inspiring or interesting and who have not received much previous media. Please send suggestions to Jan Goldsmith at [email protected] ...read more read less