C-Level Awards 2026: Emily Pritzkow, Executive Director, Wisconsin Building Trades Council

Emily Pritzkow has served as executive director of the Wisconsin Building Trades Council since April 2022, leading the unified voice for nearly 50,000 skilled construction workers across the state.

Founded in 2018, the WBTC represents 15 trade organizations including the Carpenters, Electrical Workers, Ironworkers, Laborers and Teamsters, among others.

Before joining the council, Pritzkow spent more than a decade at the Wisconsin State Assembly, rising to chief of staff to the Democratic leader. She also served as a legislative assistant in the office of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold.

Under her leadership, the WBTC launched Trade Talk Wisconsin, a podcast platforming craft leaders for audiences ranging from students to policymakers. The council also formalized a statewide workforce development partnership with WRTP | BIG STEP and expanded engagement in energy and utility policy.

Pritzkow describes her approach as direct and relationship-driven, focused on positioning the trades as indispensable partners in Wisconsin’s economic growth.

“She’s turned the Wisconsin Building Trades Council into an organization that people come to, not one that has to chase a seat at the table,” said Corey Gall, president of the Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association.

Pritzkow also serves on the boards of empowHER and the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools.