In this interview for SAFE Project’s SAFE Workplaces portfolio, we spotlight a passionate advocate who is leading the charge to eliminate stigma, as well as support those struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health challenges in the workplace. Drawing from personal experiences, this advocate has dedicated their career to promoting mental well-being and creating stigma-free environments within their organization. Through innovative programs, comprehensive training, and a commitment to holistic wellness, they are paving the way for workplaces to become supportive spaces where employees feel empowered to seek help and thrive.
Heather Strong Gutierrez is a dedicated advocate in the construction industry, combining her professional role as Safety Manager at JHL with a personal mission to support others. Growing up in her father’s shop, she was drawn to the industry despite challenges, and now serves as a resource and guide for her team. After the tragic loss of her son Tai to a fentanyl overdose, Heather became a passionate advocate for addiction recovery and mental health, using her platform to raise awareness and create change. As co-chair of the AGC of Colorado’s Mental Health Committee and an active voice in the SAFE Project, Heather is committed to honoring her son’s memory by driving progress in both her workplace and community.
What inspired you to choose a career in construction?
I was born into the world of construction, with sawdust in my veins. At just five years old, I was sweeping the floors of my dad’s shop, a small but significant first step in a journey that would shape my life. One vivid memory stands out: watching one of my dad’s employees, the husband of my daycare provider, sever his finger in a table saw accident. In that moment, I realized he wasn’t there out of passion but out of necessity—a harsh truth about the sacrifices people make to survive.
Ironically, despite growing up in the trade, my father was adamant that I avoid both construction and the military. Yet, perhaps driven by the same grit that filled our shop, I defied his wishes. After graduating high school, I enlisted in the Air Force, seeking a path of my own. But life has a way of bringing us full circle, and eventually, I found myself drawn back to the construction world, where my roots had always been.
Can you describe your role and what you do in your company?
By title, I am a Safety Manager, but by trade, I am a supportive problem solver. One of JHL’s VPs once captured the essence of my role perfectly in an interview: I am a resource — a resource that stands behind every person in our organization, ready to support, guide, and uplift. Whether it’s finding a solution or finding the right person to fix the problem, I am there, every step of the way. My commitment runs deep—I pour my heart into this work and care fiercely for everyone in my sphere. To me, this isn’t just a job; it’s a calling to serve and protect those I lead and love.
What are your favorite aspects of working in the construction industry?
It feels like home. My earliest memories are of construction—it’s the rhythm of my life. Though I’ve ventured into other industries, nothing compares to the camaraderie we share in construction. Here, we love fiercely and stand by each other through every challenge. JHL is more than just a workplace; it’s a family. The sense of belonging and the thrill of being with my people fills me with a profound excitement. This is where I’m meant to be, surrounded by those who share my passion and purpose.
How does your company demonstrate its commitment to taking care of people like you?
JHL is more than just a company; it’s a family in the truest sense. Like any family, we sometimes face contention, but the support we offer one another is unwavering. When I lost my son Tai at 17 to a fentanyl overdose, that bond became profoundly real. In the midst of my grief, our Director of Culture, Sarah Stellor, reminded me of the strength within our community. She said, “You’ve taken care of us and guided us through COVID. Now, let us take care of you.”
JHL was a recovery-friendly workplace long before that concept became widely recognized. Here, the commitment to each other’s well-being goes beyond words—it’s lived every day, in every moment of challenge and triumph.
Why do you carry naloxone, and how has it impacted your life and those around you?
Because if it saves even one life, it’s worth it. PERIOD. No one should ever have to stare into the face of a loved one, colleague, or fellow human after a fatal overdose, especially when there’s a chance—any chance—to save that life. This isn’t just about policy or procedure; it’s about the sanctity of life itself. We have a responsibility to act, to intervene, and to do whatever it takes to prevent such a tragic loss. No life is expendable, and every effort to save one is not just necessary—it’s imperative.
How did it feel to be invited to be the original female construction Super Hero model?
I am deeply honored. I made a solemn promise that the pain and struggle of losing my child to a fentanyl overdose would not be in vain. All the heartache, all the passion—it will serve a purpose. I will be authentic and vulnerable, embracing the rawness of my grief, and channeling it into something meaningful. I will be a force for change, dedicating myself to creating the world I want to see, where no other parent has to endure this unimaginable loss. This is my mission, and I will see it through with every fiber of my being.
What does this role mean to you personally and professionally?
I’m doing the good work, alongside extraordinary people—people who are passionate, authentic, and deeply committed. In every step I take, I’m honoring Tai and my family, channeling my love and loss into something that matters. I’m dedicated to bringing energy and life to the fight against this devastating epidemic, helping to build a foundation for real change. Together, we are opening up the conversation, breaking the silence, and paving the way for a future where this tragedy is not repeated. This work is my tribute, my mission, and my promise to those I love.
Can you share a bit about your family’s journey with addiction?
I was born into a world shaped by addiction. My parents both struggled with substance use disorder, and after my mother left my father, she became involved with another person battling the same demons. My biological father—unlike the one who guided me in construction—ultimately succumbed to a purposeful overdose in a halfway house. The helplessness that comes with watching a loved one suffer from substance abuse is profound. But when it’s your child, that helplessness is amplified beyond measure.
Our mental health and treatment systems are deeply flawed, and this painful truth became all too real for me. I am determined to be part of the solution. I want to fight for better care, better options, and a world where families don’t have to endure this kind of heartbreak. I carry the weight of my past, but I also carry the resolve to help change a broken system.
How has the loss of your son to an overdose affected you and your advocacy work?
Tai was, and always will be, beautiful—a soul of immense depth and brilliance. He was broken and lost, yet far too intelligent for a system that failed to support him. From the moment of his conception, Tai was a force to be reckoned with, a presence that could never be ignored. Losing him was a heartbreak that will never heal, but I refuse to let his passing be in vain.
I am committed to doing everything in my power to raise awareness, drive change, and provide resources to anyone in need. This epidemic isn’t going away, and I know Tai would expect nothing less from me. His legacy demands action, and I will honor him by fighting relentlessly for a world where others can find the help and hope that eluded him.
Could you explain why you chose to wear the salmon/peach shirt for the photo shoot and what it signifies for you?
I was on one of my school project sites when I received the devastating call that Tai had passed. Just hours earlier, I had received compliments on the color of the shirt I was wearing. That shirt, once a simple piece of clothing, became a painful reminder of the worst day of my life. For nearly two years, I couldn’t bring myself to wear it.
But now, I wear it as a badge of honor for Tai. That shirt symbolizes my resolve, my commitment to doing great things in his memory. It’s no longer just a shirt—it’s a symbol of my mission to make a difference, to carry Tai’s legacy forward with every step I take, including this campaign.
How are you committed to helping others in your workplace and community?
I am a sanctuary of warmth and understanding, a soft and safe place to land when the world feels overwhelming. Without judgment, I am here to offer support and guidance, committed to helping others find the assistance they need. I am a steadfast resource, dedicated to being a beacon of hope and a source of comfort for those who need it most.
Can you elaborate on your work with AGC of CO as the co-chair of the mental health committee and what initiatives you are most passionate about?
I am profoundly grateful to Nick Williams and Maddy Smith of the AGC Mental Health Working Group. When Nick reached out early in 2024, I saw an opportunity to honor my commitment to Tai. I stepped up as a co-chair, driven by the promise to make a difference in his name. Dave Ruddy, also with the AGC MHWG, has been instrumental in helping me fully embrace this responsibility and delve deeply into our initiatives. Together, we are doing meaningful, transformative work—carrying forward the legacy of dedication and compassion that Tai inspired.
What connects you to SAFE Project?
I am a parent who has endured the unimaginable loss of a child to an overdose, sharing a profound connection with the founders’ own journey. I grapple with the struggles inherent in construction and with veterans, having faced heartache and loss on both fronts. Beyond my personal grief, I am one among thousands of parents, family members, and friends who have been touched by this epidemic. The sheer scale of lives lost to overdoses is nothing short of devastating and absurd. It is a crisis that demands urgent attention and unwavering commitment to change.
If your organization is doing progressive work to eliminate stigma and support employees with substance use disorder (SUD) or mental health challenges, and you would like to be featured, please email communications@safeproject.us.
