Sasha Demyan: bridged industry gaps and injected new life into the MBCEA

Sasha Demyan is not merely a leader; she is a catalyst for change.

Sasha Demyan is not merely a leader; she is a catalyst for change, a tireless advocate, and a visionary who has revitalized the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA). From her early days assisting her father in his metal building assembly company, she was instilled with a deep understanding of the industry’s intricacies, laying the foundation for her remarkable career.

In 2012, Demyan assumed leadership of the MBCEA, inheriting an organization grappling with severe challenges. Membership had dwindled, finances were in disarray, and the annual conference had lost relevance. Undeterred, she embarked on a mission to restore the association’s vitality, demonstrating a remarkable blend of strategic acumen and unwavering dedication.

“Since my start in December 2012, our membership saw a remarkable increase, growing over 250 percent from just over 200 members to over 700 today. This reflects a sustained effort to engage and expand the community over a 12-year period. Over the same period, we’ve seen an increase of 189 percent in exhibitor participation and 142 percent in attendance [at the annual conference],” Demyan says. “Post-event surveys consistently showed that 90 percent of attendees found the conference to be a valuable platform for networking and learning.”

More importantly, she prioritized delivering meaningful programs focused on safety, training, and quality, addressing the core needs of the association’s members.

Her focus on customer service and building strong connections has fostered invaluable networking opportunities and driven the creation of innovative programs. Whether tackling workforce development, enhancing training, or advancing quality initiatives, Demyan possesses a unique talent for uniting diverse groups and achieving tangible results, serving as a vital liaison between contractors, erectors, and key industry organizations.

During the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Demyan’s leadership proved invaluable. Her steady hand and positive outlook guided the MBCEA through immense uncertainty. She facilitated the adoption of new technologies and provided a constant stream of crucial information, ensuring the association emerged stronger than ever, with minimal membership or revenue loss.

Demyan has become the definitive voice of metal building contractors and erectors, ensuring their perspectives are heard and respected at all levels of the industry—something that may not have always been so.

“Contractors and erectors can have real-world conversations with manufacturers about the challenges faced in the field. Rather than working in silos, the platform now exists to influence the entire process, from design to manufacture to delivery to assembly. This improved power dynamic will continue to enhance productivity and quality initiatives for the industry,” Demyan says.

Her instrumental role in co-locating the MBMA spring meeting with the annual MBCEA conference is a testament to her ability to bridge divides and foster collaboration between manufacturers and erectors. This strategic move has strengthened relationships, improved communication, and driven enhanced productivity and quality initiatives.

Speaking on her induction, Demyan says it is an honor to be enshrined with many people who helped her in her professional journey.

“So many of the inductees have served as mentors to me throughout my career, so to be listed alongside them is truly an honor and a testament to the confidence they have in me and our efforts to make the MBCEA not only the premier association for contractors and erectors but to influence process improvements across the industry,” she remarks.

As originally posted in Metal Construction News April 2025.