About Us
Advancing the Industry by Investing in People
At First Forward Consulting, our mission is simple but ambitious: Advance the construction industry by inspiring its most valuable resource—its people—to achieve beyond limits.
We’re here to move individuals, teams, and entire organizations forward through customized training, strategic consulting, and leadership development grounded in lived experience and practical tools. Whether we’re building confidence in the field or strengthening communication in the office, we design every engagement with clarity, integrity, and results in mind.
Our Vision
To be recognized as a premier consultant in the mechanical contracting industry—providing education and services that drive real impact now and into the future.
Our Values
At First Forward, our work is rooted in real-world experience and guided by principles that build trust, deliver value, and leave every client better than we found them.
Integrity over everything.
We say what we mean, do what we say, and never compromise on doing what’s right.
Choose the right work with the right people.
We partner with and support organizations that value growth, not just check-the-box training.
Keep it practical, keep it personal.
No cookie-cutter content. Every solution is designed to meet the specific needs of each team and company.
Lead with confidence, not ego.
We bring deep expertise and a grounded, collaborative approach—never arrogance.
Build relationships that last.
We’re in it for the long haul, and proud to have earned repeat partnerships across the country.
Stay curious. Stay relevant.
We’re always learning—because the industry is always evolving.
Listen first. Teach second.
The best insights come from the people doing the work. We design with them in mind, not just for them.
What Makes First Forward Different
What sets us apart isn’t just what we teach—it’s how we see the industry.
First Forward brings a full-spectrum perspective that’s rare in this space. With experience spanning from CFO to field-level training, we understand how every layer of an organization connects—and how change really happens. We’ve worked with executives and entry-level apprentices alike, building programs that resonate in real-world environments because they’re built with real-world insight.
That lived experience shapes our training, informs our strategy, and allows us to connect the dots others miss. It’s also what makes our work stick.
Leah Gutmann
Owner, First Forward Consulting, LLC
Leah Gutmann, founder and principal of First Forward Consulting, LLC, is a nationally recognized leader in training, program development, and organizational consulting. With an extensive portfolio encompassing communications, leadership, emotional intelligence, instructor development, and financial acumen, Leah brings unparalleled expertise to each client engagement. She leverages over 14 years of experience designing, implementing, and facilitating high-impact educational programs and seminars tailored to the mechanical contracting industry.
Drawing from a robust 20-year tenure as Chief Financial Officer and Finance Manager, Leah offers clients not only strategic insight, but also practical, hands-on solutions forged from real-world experience. Her unique perspective allows her to bridge the gap between executive vision and field-level execution, delivering results that resonate at every level of an organization.
Her diverse client roster features numerous MCA affiliates, prominent mechanical contracting firms, and JATC programs nationwide. As an approved instructor for the MCAA NEI program, Leah delivers dynamic training at both national and local forums, consistently elevating industry standards.
Leah’s expertise extends to the development and delivery of comprehensive programs for executives, field leaders, and emerging professionals alike. She currently serves as an adjunct instructor at the Western States College of Construction, where she pioneers industry-relevant leadership curricula for individuals pursuing their associate degrees in collaboration with local unions and JATC partners.
A credentialed instructor in Fierce Conversations and Fierce Accountability & Feedback, Leah also holds advanced certifications in Executive Coaching, Change Management, Training Program Design, Strength Finders Coaching, DISC, Emotional Intelligence, Checkpoint 360, Profiles XT, Clifton Strengths Finders, Hogan Assessments, and Blanchard’s Situational Leadership II. Through these acclaimed methodologies, Leah equips participants with actionable tools and strategies, empowering them to achieve immediate, measurable impact both on the job and in the field.
With a reputation for excellence and a passion for transformational learning, Leah Gutmann is the trusted partner organizations turn to for innovative solutions, lasting results, and professional growth at every level.
Ready to move your mission forward?
Certified in: TTI Approved Partner | Clifton Strengthsfinders | Fierce, Inc | MCAA NEI