Women of FABTECH

Vanessa Heim is President & CEO of Brenco Industries, one of British Columbia's most respected fabrication and processing companies. Having grown up in the business and learned it from the floor up, she now leads the company through its next chapter, balancing a proud legacy with the realities of modern manufacturing.

Stepping into the top role as a young woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry was no small task, and Vanessa doesn't pretend otherwise. What earns authority, she'll tell you, has little to do with age or gender. It comes from competence, character, consistency, and a deep respect for the trades. She leads the men on her floor by honoring the skill and expertise their work demands; listening before she decides, holding high standards, and earning trust through action rather than title.

A passionate advocate for women in manufacturing, Vanessa believes businesses perform best when they embrace different ways of thinking. While the industry has long prized focused, linear problem-solving, she has seen the value of a broader perspective- one that connects competing priorities, navigates complexity, and sees the bigger picture. Together, those strengths create better decisions, stronger teams, and more resilient businesses.

Beyond Brenco, Vanessa serves on the Executive Committee of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA) and is slated to become Chair in 2027. She is committed to helping shape the future of manufacturing through workforce development, industry diversification, and advocacy for independent fabricators and job shops across North America.

Her story resonates because it is real- earned on the shop floor and shaped by responsibility, resilience, and an ever-evolving blueprint she never could have predicted. Whether speaking about leadership, succession, motherhood, or overcoming self-doubt, Vanessa brings an honest and relatable perspective on defining success on your own terms, and building a life that doesn't always follow the blueprint.