Kaili Smith's people-first approach to AI offers valuable lessons for roofing contractors

By The Coffee Shops®.

Meet the Women Tech Awards Rising Star recipient. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming businesses across nearly every industry, and roofing is no exception. From automating administrative tasks to improving customer communication and lead management, AI-powered tools are becoming increasingly common. But according to Kaili Smith, SVP of marketing innovation at JobNimbus, successful AI adoption is not about replacing people or chasing the latest technology trends. It is about creating systems that help people do their best work. 

Kaili has built her career around a simple philosophy: automate what’s repeatable, protect what’s relatable. Throughout her leadership journey, she has helped scale companies through smarter systems, operational efficiency and a deeper understanding of customer needs. Her focus has never been on doing more for the sake of growth. Instead, it has been about building processes that allow teams to spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time on the work that truly matters. 

For roofing contractors, that message hits close to home. Running a successful roofing business requires balancing sales, project management, customer service, scheduling and countless administrative responsibilities. Technology can help streamline many of these activities, but the relationships that drive trust, referrals and repeat business still depend on people. Kaili believes the best use of AI is to free employees from routine work so they can focus on serving customers, solving problems and making better decisions. 

Her practical approach to innovation has earned widespread recognition, including a place on Utah Valley BusinessQ’s 40 Under 40 list. Most recently, she was named a 2026 Women Tech Awards Rising Star, an honor that recognizes emerging leaders who are making a significant impact through technology and innovation. 

The award is presented by the Women Tech Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the technology industry through leadership development, mentorship, innovation and community building. For years, the council has worked to elevate technology professionals, support career growth and create opportunities for future leaders. Through initiatives like the Women Tech Awards, the organization highlights individuals who are advancing their industries while helping others succeed along the way. 

Kaili’s recognition reflects more than her accomplishments with technology. It also highlights her belief that the most effective tools are the ones people trust and embrace. In her view, businesses often focus on implementing new software or technologies without considering whether employees and customers feel comfortable using them. Even the most advanced solution can fall short if users do not understand its value or trust the process behind it. 

That lesson is particularly relevant as roofing contractors evaluate new technologies. Whether implementing customer relationship management systems, leveraging automation tools or exploring AI-driven solutions, success depends on more than features and functionality. Adoption, training and trust play a critical role in determining whether a new tool becomes a business asset or an unused investment. 

The Women Tech Council’s mission of building, innovating and mentoring aligns closely with Kaili’s leadership philosophy. Both emphasize that technology should empower people, create opportunities and support meaningful growth. As roofing businesses navigate workforce challenges, evolving customer expectations and increased competition, those principles can provide a valuable framework for evaluating new approaches and technologies. 

On September 17, industry professionals will have the opportunity to celebrate Kaili’s achievement as a Women Tech Awards Rising Star and hear more about her thoughts on AI, business growth and innovation. Her perspective offers an important reminder that technology is most effective when it enhances human strengths rather than attempting to replace them. 

For roofing contractors looking to improve efficiency while maintaining strong customer relationships, Kaili’s approach provides a practical roadmap. Automating repetitive work can create more time for the conversations, decisions and relationships that drive long-term success. In a rapidly changing business environment, that balance between technology and the human touch may be one of the most valuable competitive advantages a company can have. 

Register for the Women in Tech Awards!