Women in HVACR, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting women in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) trades, has collaborated with Carrier Global Corporation to award scholarships to 11 promising female students embarking on careers in the skilled trades.
Presented at the 2025 Women in HVACR Conference in Las Vegas, these scholarships highlight the achievements of young women progressing in a field traditionally dominated by men. Each honoree was awarded $5,000 in recognition of her academic achievements, leadership potential, and dedication to fostering diversity and innovation within the trades.
Collaboration Expands Opportunities
The scholarships were funded via an alliance between Women in HVACR and Carrier, with six recipients
The scholarships were funded through a partnership between Women in HVACR and Carrier, with six recipients selected by the nonprofit and five additional awards provided by Carrier. This joint initiative resulted in a total of $55,000 in scholarships.
"These scholarships represent more than financial assistance; they are an investment in the future of our industry," stated Women in HVACR President, Kristin Gallup, adding "Each recipient has shown the drive, talent and vision to lead the future of HVACR, and their contributions will help shape the next generation of innovators in the field."
Profiles of Scholarship Recipients
- Kristine Berg, currently attending Hennepin Technical College in Minnesota, transitioned to HVAC after a career in maintenance and facilities work. With hands-on experience in residential and commercial settings, she aims to mentor young women in the trades. Hannah Dearman-So, who graduated from Harvey Mudd College in California with a degree in general engineering, is launching her career as a mechanical engineer specializing in HVACR and plumbing design.
- Ashley Haynes, a non-traditional student and Phi Theta Kappa member at Coastal Alabama Community College, is pursuing a career in HVACR while inspiring others to pursue their dreams. Sarah Kitchen, an HVACR student driven by problem-solving passion, aims to earn HVACR and electrical licenses to teach future female technicians.
- Beyonca Mack, inspired by her family's HVAC legacy, is committed to promoting energy efficiency and creating job opportunities. Her goal is to establish her own HVAC company. Alerry McCarthy, studying construction management at North Carolina A&T State University, aims to use HVACR systems to create affordable housing for underserved communities.
- Aya Morgan has combined her passion for sustainability and problem-solving in project engineering, with experience interning at Legrand North America and Pacific Rim Mechanical. Samantha Murphy, having transitioned into the HVAC field after 12 years as a commercial driver, now attends Lincoln Tech in New Jersey.
- Mahek Parvez, a computer engineering student at Purdue University, invented "SunHarvested CoolRooms," an electricity-free cooling system. Lila Tychsen, inspired by her uncle's HVAC company, plans a career in sheet metal fabrication. Sophia Valenzuela, an EPA-certified HVAC student and president of Riverside City College’s HVACR Student Union, aspires to become a commercial service technician.
Impact on Infrastructure and Sustainability
Gallup emphasized the role these scholarships play in advancing women's careers in technical fields crucial to the nation's infrastructure and sustainability goals.
"By empowering women to lead and innovate within the HVACR industry, we strengthen its foundation and ensure it continues to evolve, adapt and thrive," she noted.
Women in HVACR, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration trades, has teamed up with Carrier Global Corporation, a pioneer in the HVACR industry, to award 11 scholarships to outstanding female students blazing paths in the skilled trades.
The scholarships, presented during the 2025 Women in HVACR Conference in Las Vegas, celebrate the next generation of women advancing in an industry historically underrepresented by female professionals. Each recipient received $5,000 in recognition of her academic excellence, leadership potential and commitment to fostering diversity and innovation in the skilled trades.
Five additional scholarship awards
Six students received scholarships directly from Women in HVACR, while five additional scholarship awards were presented by Carrier in partnership with the nonprofit organization for a total of $55,000.
“These scholarships represent more than financial assistance; they are an investment in the future of our industry,” said Women in HVACR President, Kristin Gallup, adding “Each recipient has shown the drive, talent and vision to lead the future of HVACR, and their contributions will help shape the next generation of innovators in the field.”
The 11 recipients are:
- Kristine Berg: Berg transitioned into HVAC after a career in maintenance and facilities work. In addition to attending Hennepin Technical College in Minnesota, she’s gained hands-on experience in both residential and commercial settings with a goal to give back by mentoring young women in the trades.
- Hannah Dearman-So: A recent graduate of Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California, with a degree in general engineering, Dearman-So has launched her career as a mechanical engineer specializing in HVACR and plumbing design.
- Ashley Haynes: A non-traditional student, Phi Theta Kappa member at Coastal Alabama Community College and mother of five, Haynes is pursuing a career in HVACR to empower women and inspire others that it’s never too late to follow their dreams.
- Sarah Kitchen: Kitchen is an HVACR student driven by a passion for problem-solving and breaking barriers in the skilled trades. Inspired by her daughters, her goal is to earn her HVACR and electrical licenses and one day teach the next generation of female technicians.
- Beyonca Mack: Inspired by her family’s legacy in HVAC, Mack is determined to break barriers and promote energy-efficient practices while creating job opportunities for others. Her ultimate goal is to own her own HVAC company and inspire more women to enter the skilled trades.
- Alerry McCarthy: Raised in Broward County, Florida, McCarthy is studying construction management at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, and is passionate about using HVACR systems to help create affordable, energy-efficient housing for underserved communities.
- Aya Morgan: From Science Olympiad to HVAC project engineering, Morgan has combined her love for problem-solving with her passion for sustainability. She’s interned with Legrand North America and Pacific Rim Mechanical and aspires to lead projects focused on equitable design and sustainable housing.
- Samantha Murphy: After 12 years as a commercial driver, Murphy transitioned into the HVAC industry, drawn by the field’s technical and sustainable focus. She is enrolled at Lincoln Tech in Mahwah, New Jersey, and plans to pursue an associate degree.
- Mahek Parvez: A computer engineering student at Purdue University, Parvez invented “SunHarvested CoolRooms,” an electricity-free cooling system that preserves farm produce. Her work has been recognized globally, and she continues to merge sustainability with technology to empower women and improve communities.
- Lila Tychsen: Inspired by her uncle who runs an HVAC company, Tychsen plans to become a sheet metal fabricator. A hands-on learner, she discovered her passion for fabrication through technical training and home renovation projects with her family.
- Sophia Valenzuela: An EPA-certified HVAC student and president of Riverside (California) City College’s HVACR Student Union, Valenzuela is a first-generation college student passionate about breaking industry norms. She’s working toward becoming a commercial service technician and eventually starting her own business.
Nation’s infrastructure and sustainability goals
“By investing in education and mentorship, Women in HVACR and Carrier are helping create pathways for women to excel in technical careers that are essential to the nation’s infrastructure and sustainability goals,” Gallup said.
“By empowering women to lead and innovate within the HVACR industry, we strengthen its foundation and ensure it continues to evolve, adapt and thrive.”
