Professional Women in Building

Melissa Coburn is the CEO and President of Squeegee Squad Kansas Central.  Her career started at the largest utility in Kansas where she spent 14 years in the IT Department.  She is a Washburn graduate and was most recently an IT Manager for an Application Development team that supported their Power Marketing team.  She is known for her role leading the first centralized Production Support team and as a champion for the transition to the adoption of the Agile methodology. 

She and her husband jumped into Entrepreneurship in 2019 when they purchased "the best Car Wash in Topeka".  They are members of the Topeka Facility Management Association, Topeka Area Builders Association, Professional Women in Building, and have served on many other local Boards and Community Volunteer groups. Both left the utility Company to start up and manage the day-to-day activities for their Woman Owned window cleaning and pressure washing business that services Manhattan, Topeka, and Lawrence and KC Metro.

Amber Rendell is a Business Services Associate at Azura Credit Union. At Azura, Amber is committed to providing reliable service to business members. She goes “above and beyond” supporting Azura’s business lending team, members, and vendors. Amber administers business loan documentation and provides account services. She is passionate about the credit union movement’s motto “people helping people”. She actively supports different organizations throughout the community. Amber enjoys making new connections. Amber has been with Azura Credit Union for 2 years. Prior to that, she was employed at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas for 8 years. She started in the small business department and ended up in the senior sales department as a senior rep. Amber has served in sales and customer service since she started working at the age of 15. She currently resides in Scranton, Kansas, with her husband and son. In her free time, she enjoys playing softball all over the states and watching her nieces and nephews play too. She is active in her small community. She helps organize Scranton’s Trunk or Treat and Angel Tree softball tournament each year. Amber is passionate about helping people and seeing them succeed.

First, I am a Mother to 9 children with 5 spouses, 15 Grandchildren with 3 spouses & 5 Great Grandchildren.  I grew up in Topeka for 6 years & then, in Valley Falls.  I graduated from Valley Falls High School in 1978.  Then, I attended Kansas State University.  Go EMAWs!!  I worked in the Dental Field for 32 years.  Then, I worked at Legends Assisted Living for 3 ½ years.   My Father worked in the Construction Field & was Heavy Equipment Operator, also.  So, I grew up in the Construction Field.  We tore down houses, did lateral lines & built forms for our new home’s basement & other construction work.  My Husband, Joe and I ran a Janitorial Business called Express Cleaning & Services from 1987 to 2021.  This business was a part-time business to Joe working at FedEx, my work, our children & their activities.  In November 2015, I started working for Garner Remodeling & Home Improvement, Inc. as an Administrative Assistant and was promoted to Office Manager in January 2016.  I am a member of Professional Women in Building.  I volunteer for Professional Women in Building, Topeka Area Building Association, Circle of Excellence and Special Olympics (especially Topeka Jr. Blues).

My name is Haven Byrne.  I am the Home Loans Manager at Azura Credit Union.  I have been working with home loans for over 20 years and my team has over 50 years of experience combined.  We take pride in what we do and love serving our members. Volunteering in the community is a gift that I get to experience through Azura Trails, Toys for Tots, TARC, Harvesters and the United Way.  PWB has several volunteer opportunities throughout the year as well.   I found out about this great PWB group through the Topeka Area Builders Association. 

I’m Elizabeth Littrell and I am the Business Manager for Tall Grass Windows Inc.  I thrive with helping others achieve their goals and solving problems.  That’s why I came home to Kansas in 2017 to help my brother and his partner open their window and door distributorship.  On any given day you may find me driving a forklift or making sure “all the t’s are crossed and the I’s dotted” on a contract.  In the last 30 years, I’ve managed various companies in Kansas, Missouri and California.  Travel and 7 grandchildren encompass the majority of my free time.

Katy Nelson President/CEO of the Topeka Area Building Association.  I am a Wife, Mother of 4, Grandma to 5. I like to be with my family and friends when not at work. You can find me on a river with friends or traveling to a ballpark with my husband when not at work most of the time.

I am all about Community and making Topeka the best it can be. I like to help other non-profits succeed in making Topeka a better place for everyone.  Workforce development is a big part of what I strive for through my work and finding jobs for locals within the trades is a top priority for me.  The building industry is another option A for everyone.

Bayley is the Office Manager at Electrical Specialists, a residential electrical contractor based in Topeka. She oversees the day-to-day operations that keep the company running smoothly, handling everything behind the scenes so the team can focus on providing quality electrical work. Electrical Specialists is proud to serve the Topeka community, valuing long-term relationships with clients and a commitment to exceptional service.
Born and raised in Topeka, Bayley is now raising her son in the community she calls home. Outside of work, she enjoys cheering on her son and nephew at their sports and activities, getting lost in a good book, or spending time on the water in her kayak.

My name is Jennifer Snarr.  I grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota, left home for North Carolina after high school, and came to Kansas after I met and married my husband, and welcomed our first child. I attended school for interior design in Charlotte, North Carolina and was eager to use some of my schooling for a related field when we arrived here. I met the founder of Custom Wood Products through my hobby of photography and started with the company within a year of moving to Kansas. I've been with Custom Wood Products ever since and have moved from showroom consultant to custom cabinet designer in that time. I had my second child in 2015 and enjoy spending time with them and my family, photography, thrifting/reselling, concerts/music, and playing tennis. We also have quite the menagerie with a dog, a hamster, a rabbit, and some fish in our home. Life is never dull! I'm happy to be a part of this wonderful group of women!

With over five years at PDQ Construction and more than 20 years in the construction industry, Marsha brings extensive experience and a passion for design to every project. Her background in new construction and custom homes, combined with her expertise as a lead painter and former paint contractor, has made her a go-to professional for many homeowners in Topeka, Lawrence, and Junction City. Marsha specializes in helping clients transform their interiors, particularly kitchens and bathrooms, with her keen eye for color, design, and functionality. She also provides estimates for exterior projects, including decks and windows. Whether it’s giving a space a fresh new look or finding creative solutions to enhance both form and function, Marsha thrives on bringing new life to every project. A graduate of Emporia State University, Marsha also holds a master’s degree from the University of Kansas. She and her husband, Casey, have two children and have made Topeka their home. When she’s not busy with school activities and sports games, Marsha enjoys cheering on the Kansas City Royals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and all things KU Athletics.