• Posted: March 31, 2025
• Chicago women electricians, electrical construction diversity, electrical contracting, electrical industry, Female COO construction, female electrical contractor, female leadership, fourth-generation electrical contractor, Gurtz Electric, IBEW Local 134 women, Mallory Gurtz, powering chicago, women electrical leadership, Women in Electrical Construction, Women In Trades Chicago, Women Leaders, women's history month

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Powering Chicago highlights Mallory Gurtz, Chief Operating Officer at Gurtz Electric, who is reshaping the electrical construction landscape in Chicago through innovation, leadership, and a commitment to excellence.

Fourth-Generation Leadership with a Fresh Perspective

For Mallory Gurtz, the electrical industry runs in her blood. As a fourth-generation leader at Gurtz Electric, she has carved her own path in a traditionally male-dominated field, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the family business.

“Gurtz Electric is a family business, and I’m fourth generation with the company,” Gurtz explains.

Her great-grandfather founded the company. Her grandfather followed in his father’s footsteps, and currently, her father leads the company as President and CEO. Despite the family legacy, Gurtz emphasizes that joining the family business was entirely her choice.

Originally interested in electrical engineering, Gurtz ultimately pursued a business degree at Tulane University. Her journey into the electrical industry began with an internship at an engineering firm, providing her with valuable insights into various facets of the industry before joining Gurtz Electric full-time after graduation.

Her first project on the job was working on the Marriott Marquis and Wintrust Arena at McCormick Place. Gurtz remembers it as a transformative experience that cemented her passion for the industry.

“I was assistant project manager on those projects and was on site full time for those first two years, and it was a great way to get immersed,” Gurtz recalls. “I was locked in, so I didn’t look back after that.”

Rising to COO: Breaking Barriers and Driving Change

Now serving as COO, Gurtz oversees administrative roles, working alongside the company’s CFO and managing departments such as purchasing, safety, IT, and marketing. Her path to this leadership position wasn’t without its challenges, particularly as a young woman implementing organizational changes in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

“Just evolving from my project management role into an operations role had its challenges. A lot of what I did was process improvement, revamping our internal structures,” she explains. “I think as a young female coming into the industry with a lot of males who have been ingrained in doing things a specific way, coupled with the family aspect, definitely proved to be challenging.”

Gurtz acknowledges that change can be difficult, especially in an established company with longstanding practices.

“Change is really hard,” she says. “Sometimes, it is more painful before it gets better. So part of the challenge was trying to keep people motivated to see the big picture. I wanted to help them see that some of the changes they’re helping to implement are to benefit them, and they will see the return later.”

Despite these challenges, her achievements speak volumes. In 2021, Gurtz successfully obtained her supervising electrician’s license, allowing her to pull permits in the city of Chicago — a notable accomplishment for someone without a background as an electrician.

“That’s something that I’m pretty proud of,” she shares, “and even a lot of electricians who go and take the test don’t pass.”

A Woman’s Perspective in Electrical Construction

Gurtz brings valuable qualities to the table that enhance Gurtz Electric’s operations and culture.

“It’s important to stay innovative as the industry continues to evolve. You want to stay ahead of the curve,” she notes.

She emphasizes the importance of information sharing and collaboration — values she’s worked to instill at Gurtz Electric.

“It’s important to just have that team-focused mentality. We all have the same goal in mind, and let’s work together and use each other’s strengths to make us better as a team,” Gurtz observes.

Over her ten-year career, Gurtz has witnessed positive changes regarding gender diversity in the industry.

“I think even ten years ago, there was starting to become more of a focus on females in the industry,” she reflects. “Each year, each project we’re on, we’re seeing more and more women join the trades.”

She also notes practical improvements that make the industry more welcoming for women.

“Even women who are already in the trades, you see more PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) that’s focused around women — boots that fit better, or high-vis vests that are women-fit versus that male, boxy cut.”

Advice for Women Entering the Industry

For young women considering a career in electrical construction, Gurtz offers empowering advice. 

“Stay confident. Don’t be afraid to have a voice and speak up. Ask questions, learn, and don’t feel like an outsider. There’s no reason why your gender should hold you back from being able to be in the construction industry. You have just as much right to be there as anyone else,” she says.

She recalls working on a Willis Tower project featuring strong female leadership throughout the team. 

“The owner’s representative was a female. The owner’s rep company had a female project manager. The design team had female leadership,” Gurtz remembers. “It was really cool to see that I wasn’t the only female in the room. There really are a lot of other women out there who have built up a career in the industry, and it’s achievable for me. It’s achievable for anyone.”

As Mallory Gurtz continues to lead Gurtz Electric into the future, her story serves as an inspiration for the next generation of women in electrical construction — demonstrating that with determination, skill, and vision, they too can power their way to the top of the industry.
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