Anna Stern has spent her career at Tri-North Builders doing two things simultaneously: solving problems before they become problems, and making space for the people who come after her. As Vice President and General Counsel, she oversees legal matters and leads the company's risk management team, though the role has grown well beyond its original scope. Operational leadership now takes up the majority of her day-to-day, a shift that reflects both the company's growth and her own.
We sat down with Anna to talk about what it takes to lead in one of Wisconsin's most dynamic industries, and what's next for Tri-North.
Building with Purpose
Construction moves fast. Anna's approach to keeping up is straightforward: embrace the mania. Some days are about putting out fires. But Tri-North's strength, she says, is its people — a solutions-focused team that tends to anticipate challenges before they escalate.
That's not accidental. Tri-North invests in ongoing training built around the topics that matter most to the business, and regular check-ins keep projects on track across the country. It's a framework designed to stay one step ahead in an industry that rarely slows down.
Beyond job sites, Tri-North is equally committed to the communities they build in. Kids Building Wisconsin, an annual event Tri-North founded to introduce young people to careers in construction, has since grown into its own nonprofit, with Tri-North remaining a core part of its continued success. Tri-North also supports AGC of Wisconsin's She Builds camp, which brings middle school students into the world of construction and helps build a more inclusive future for the industry.
The company's giving doesn't stop there. Tequila for Ta-Tas, an annual fundraiser supporting metastatic breast cancer research, has been running for 10 years and has grown enough that Tri-North is now establishing it as its own nonprofit. Annual school supply drives and volunteer days across all Tri-North offices round out a community commitment that runs deep. For Tri-North, building strong communities isn't separate from the work. It's part of it.
A Leader Making an Impact
When asked about her leadership style, Anna is the first to say it's always evolving. Circumstances change. Challenges change. The people around you change. At its core, she leads with honesty and transparency, and works to be a genuine resource for her team, meeting people where they are rather than where she expects them to be.
That approach earned Anna recognition as In Business Executive of the Year for 2025. For her, the meaning of that recognition came from who gave it: a panel of peers who understood the work behind it.
"As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I'm a big believer in the theory that you walk the path of those who have come before you, and you take the time to make the path a little easier for those who come after you. That's what I've tried to do throughout my career, which includes working to make Tri-North an employer of choice for all people. And that's a testament to the whole team we have who contribute every day to help make Tri-North Builders exactly that."
One of her favorite moments from the evening was celebrating alongside family and close friends, a reminder that the milestones we work toward mean more when shared with the people who show up for us outside of work, too.
For women pursuing leadership in traditionally male-dominated fields, Anna's advice is grounded and practical: be authentic, put in the work, and step forward when leadership moments arise. Find trusted advisors. Advocate for yourself. Set healthy boundaries, and learn how to address bias with professionalism. There's no shortcut, but there is a path.
What's Next
Looking ahead, Anna hopes Tri-North continues on its path of intentional, controlled growth, guided by thoughtful pre-planning, post-project debriefs, and a shared commitment to learning from both the wins and the setbacks.
For those just starting out, her advice is simple: find a mentor. Having people to turn to for guidance and honest feedback makes the hard stretches more manageable. It's something she's experienced firsthand, and something she actively pays forward through internships, apprenticeships, and other opportunities for emerging professionals.
When asked what kind of impact she hopes to leave behind, Anna doesn't hesitate. She wants to leave the people and places she's touched just a little better than she found them.
By that measure, she's well on her way.
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