Who We Are
Tough Leaf is a construction technology company that helps construction businesses thrive by uniting clients with top-tier certified diverse, local, and small firms.
Our mission is to help companies succeed by eliminating the barriers to meaningful diversity and inclusion in construction.
HUNDREDS OF CERTIFICATIONS, INCLUDING:
The Existing Process is Broken
The competition for construction projects is intense. Contractors must deliver the lowest bid to stay in the running, but it doesn’t end there. Clients are now placing greater importance on diversity participation — and failing to meet project requirements may lead to firms losing projects, being barred from agencies, incurring fines and sanctions, as well as having payments withheld. Yet, last year, U.S. Contractors failed to award over 40% of the estimated $112B budget earmarked for Diverse Firms.
Project Diversity, Simplified
Tough Leaf is powered by AI and backed by a team of seasoned construction experts. We streamline the way partners find vetted small and diverse subcontractors that satisfy compliance requirements and provide cost-effective bids on time.
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Small & Diverse Subcontractors Prefer to Work with Tough Leaf
Tough Leaf empowers small and diverse firms through our program, which is both free of charge and easy to join. The process is simple: companies claim their profile to showcase their capabilities and certifications. We then provide support through educational programs, access to capacity- building services, and the promise of being considered for relevant, targeted opportunities.
Claim Your ProfileCapacity Building Partners
We connect diverse companies with capacity building partners and offer exclusive rates for their services. Through these partnerships, members can enhance their skills and expertise, enabling them to better compete for project opportunities.
Explore Opportunities
Ready to streamline how you source certified small, local, and diverse subcontractors?
The Team That Makes it Happen
Wissam Akra
Founder & CEO
Wissam is a graduate of the Columbia MBA program and a professional engineer with 10+ years managing major projects. Wissam has managed procurement of $600M+ of XBE contracts. He was voted Top 100 leaders in Construction & Real Estate nationwide.
Neah Brooks
Head of Sales
Neah is a seasoned construction technology professional with extensive expertise in pre-construction, bid management, and pre-qualification. She has supported over 500 General Contractors and Developers to help them reach their goals and streamline their processes.
John Cui
Head of Engineering
Self-taught, academia-enhanced, and professionally milled, a software artisan with a passion for crafting ideas into purposeful and usable Products. Highly motivated to work with a team of professionals and experts. Well-versed in several programming languages with solid skills in development.
Scott Levine
Head of Product
Scott holds a Master′s from UVA′s McIntire School of Commerce and has a solid track record in construction and tech. He′s worked in strategy, preconstruction, and project management for a big general contractor, and also led the product management team at a previous construction tech company. Scott′s unique mix of experience bridges the gap between construction and technology.
Our Board
Tanya Pope
AVP Supplier Diversity, Columbia
Ascend Tristate & CU Grow
Tim McManus
Former VP, McKinsey
Former SVP, AECOM
Former Director, EY
Barbara Roberts
NY Campion of DEI
EIR Lang Center
Dr. Ibrahim Odeh
Founder, Global Leaders in Construction Management