In this special episode, Diana Rodriguez-Zaba, president of ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba serving Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, shares her story and insights. She is the winner of R&R’s seventh annual Women in Restoration Award and rose to the top of an impressive list of 46 nominees. All nominations were reviewed by a panel of judges based on journey and experience in the industry, job growth and future reach, industry and community involvement, and awards and certifications.

In part two of our commercial drying series, Howard Wolf shares why successful commercial and large-loss projects require strong communication, risk evaluations, disciplined operational processes, and a systems thinking approach.

ServiceForge’s Jane Blanchard shares how after-hours response and customer communication can help restoration companies improve their reviews, increase lead conversion, and build trust.

Jeff Cross joins host Kayla McGowan to discuss AI in industry media, the value that deadlines bring, collaboration, and why coffee is part of their workflow.

PuroClean’s Margaret Chebat and Melissa Wittig discuss women in restoration, operational leadership, franchise growth, and the evolution of the restoration industry.

Nate Cisney of Restoration Made Simple shares TPA vs non-TPA work, how it affects your operations, profitability, diversifying your work, and long-term growth for restorers.

In the final Women in Restoration episode, Staci Sargent shares how leadership, training, and real-world experience are shaping the industry. She highlights the importance of structure, accountability, and continuous learning in building confident restoration professionals.