Bec Wilder

BREAKING BOUNDARIES. Bec Wilder’s scrappy, determined spirit has always pushed boundaries. Growing up as a female-presenting non-binary individual with a passion for building, Bec has consistently defied expectations. Their resilience and drive has shaped their entrepreneurial journey, leading to the creation of Green Canopy NODE, a construction technology firm dedicated to solving the housing crisis sustainably.

Bec’s interest in construction grew as they gravitated towards the technical side of theater and joined a high school construction group. In tackling projects like roof repairs, handicap ramps, and building houses, Bec came to understand the essential role of shelter in human health and wellbeing.

Bec initially considered a career in construction law but quickly realized it wasn’t their calling. Instead, they found themselves working hands-on in construction and ventured into the private yacht industry after college, where they routinely faced gender-based barriers. One day while working in an engine room in the Atlantic Ocean, Bec had an epiphany: “I want to build green buildings. I didn’t know exactly what that meant at the time, but I knew that I wanted to build the buildings that our world needed and that people needed.” This realization prompted a move across the country to Seattle, a hub for sustainable building innovation.

At Green Canopy NODE, the team is dedicated to delivering sustainable housing solutions by leveraging cutting-edge construction technology. The vertically integrated company provides development services from start to finish, including pre-development consulting, feasibility studies, architectural design, prefabrication, general contracting, and sales support. Their approach emphasizes creating carbon-negative, prefabricated building components, turning traditional construction into a streamlined assembly process.

Bec’s journey with Green Canopy NODE began with a focus on modular housing. Recognizing the critical need to address the construction industry’s labor shortage and rising costs, they developed a component-based prefabrication system designed to make housing more affordable and sustainable. “We’re controlling the cost of things. We know how many screws are in the house and we can optimize that,” Bec explains.

The modular company evolved when it merged with a general contractor and architecture firm to help mitigate the inherent risks of new construction technologies. Supported by grants from the Department of Energy and the US Forest Service, Green Canopy NODE is now at the forefront of sustainable housing, with ambitious plans to build hundreds of prefabricated, carbon-negative homes in the coming years.

Bec’s success is also a testament to the mentors who have guided them along the way. Kicked out of their house at 16, Bec relied on the support and wisdom of various mentors, including a Taekwondo instructor who taught them the importance of perseverance. “It’s the last five push-ups that matter the most,” he would say, a lesson that has stayed with Bec throughout their career.

BUILDING A RESILIENT FUTURE. Bec is driven by a vision of significantly changing the way housing is built to ensure a robust future. They are realistic about the challenges but remain optimistic that impactful change will happen over time. “My biggest version of success is changing how we build so that in 20 years, everyone is building like it’s 2040, not 1940, which is how we build today.”

Their personal journey as a non-binary individual has also influenced their entrepreneurial approach. “I have to play my own game and be prepared to make strategic choices, even if the system doesn’t support me,” Bec says. This mindset has created a culture of innovation and resilience within Green Canopy NODE, ensuring the company can thrive even in a challenging industry.