Construction Mental Health & Wellbeing Conference

“There were nights I’d sit in the office and cry, but I couldn’t tell you because I knew it would stir up fear, concern, and set your anxiety into a tailspin based on your past experiences.”

That’s what Scott Satory, Dr. Colleen Saringer’s husband, told her 16.5 years into running his industrial roofing company. And in that moment, she felt two things at once: heartbreak that he had carried it silently for so long, and gratitude that he finally felt safe enough to say it out loud.

Dr. Colleen has lived this story twice. First, as a child, she watched her father nearly lose his life to the emotional toll of her family’s sheet metal business. And again, as a wife, walking beside her partner as he carries the same business ownership weight she knows can kill you. It’s why they’re on stage together.

In this story-driven keynote, Dr. Colleen and Scott speak from both sides of the construction business experience: the field and the family. They’ll explore how the stress of running a business doesn’t stay at the shop; it follows you home, seeps into your relationships, and affects your health.

With a tone that’s candid, grounded, and emotionally resonant, this keynote aligns directly with the conference’s goal of helping construction communities move from surviving to thriving. Dr. Colleen and Scott offer a real-world look at how business ownership, especially its impact on mental and physical health, is a family affair. They’ll share the everyday practices that have helped protect their marriage, safeguard their health, and sustain their business, from no cell phones at dinner to asking, “Are you sleeping because you’re tired or depressed?” to emotional contract clauses that include taking vacations.

Learning objectives:

1. To identify common risk factors in construction (e.g., job overload, lack of role clarity, isolation) and understand their links to anxiety, depression, and suicide.

2. To recognize how business ownership quietly affects the mental and physical health of the owner and their family.

3. To implement practical, real-world mental health strategies—such as emotional “contract clauses,” communication habits, and non-negotiables—that safeguard both business success and family connections.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Dr. Colleen Saringer and Scott Satory are a husband-and-wife duo who bring both lived experience and professional insight to the conversation around mental health in the construction industry.

Dr. Colleen a blue-collar woman wrapped in a PhD package. She has 25 years of experience helping organizations improve culture, communication and wellbeing. Raised in a family-run sheet metal business and now supporting her husband’s roofing company, she’s both construction-bred and industry-wed. Her story began at age 13, when she first witnessed how work could quietly unravel a life. That defining moment still drives her mission: to speak candidly about how work impacts mental health, and to offer real-world strategies rooted in kindness, boundaries, and accountability.

And then we have Scott Satory, the successful college dropout and owner of Service First Roofing, an industrial roofing company based in Atlanta, Georgia. He understands the mental, physical, and emotional toll of business ownership. He believes real leadership starts with the courage to set ego aside, on the job and at home.

Together, Dr. Colleen and Scott offer a rare, real-world perspective on what it takes to build a business, protect a relationship, and carry the weight without losing connection along the way.

Allan Abney is a multifaceted leader and businessman who draws on a diverse background and broad industry experience to craft winning business strategies. With more than 25 years of expertise in manufacturing and management, he has built a proven track record of driving successful turnarounds and sustainable growth across the steel fabrication, commercial lighting, and utility lighting sectors.

Known for his hands-on style of leadership, Allan is equally effective in the boardroom and on the project site. He excels in guiding initiatives from conception to completion, bringing customers’ needs to life with vision, innovation, and finesse. A firm believer in developing the next generation of leaders, he prioritizes mentorship and fosters collaborative, interactive environments that empower teams to succeed.

Currently serving as Senior Project Manager for Brazos Urethane, a national commercial roofing company, Allan has led some of the largest and most complex projects in the industry. His leadership and team-building expertise were instrumental in the successful delivery of more than three million square feet of roofing at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin, Texas (2024), and over two million square feet of roofing at Samsung’s semiconductor facility in Taylor, Texas.

Allan’s career reflects a consistent commitment to excellence, innovation, and legacy-building leadership that leaves a lasting impact on organizations, teams, and industries. Beyond his professional achievements, Allan is devoted to his family. He is married to Odila Abney, and together they have seven children and six grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys salsa dancing and embraces the outdoors as an avid outdoorsman.

Josh graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2002. He served as a Captain, leading troops in Iraq in 2005-06 and is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal. Josh co-founded and served as Executive Director for PTSD United (a non-profit mental health community). During that time, Josh also held North American responsibilities at WernerCo, where he received two Under 40 awards from the construction industry (ENR & CSE). 

Josh spends his time learning, leading talks, workshops, and retreats internationally. His mission is to help people connect with themselves and those they serve at a deeper level.

Allan Kehler is a leading voice in mental health, resilience, and workplace wellness. Known for his powerful storytelling, Allan draws on his personal journey through mental illness, addiction, and suicide to deliver keynotes that are as impactful as they are relatable. Having spent years as a college instructor, addictions counselor, and clinical case manager, Allan offers not only heartfelt authenticity but deep professional insight, making his message resonate across every level of an organization.

With over 1,000 keynotes delivered across the globe, Allan has become a trusted resource for organizations seeking to create mentally healthy and high-performing workplaces. His TEDx talk on men and mental health has gained global traction, and his five best-selling books have further positioned him as a thought leader in the field.

Allan’s presentations offer more than inspiration, they provide tangible tools to reduce stigma, strengthen emotional intelligence, and promote connection. He uses humor and vulnerability to create safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported™.

Allan currently resides in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He shares his life with Tanya, four boys, three dogs, and a tank of fish.