Barbara Res

Engineer, Attorney, Mediator, Author, Construction Manager, Former Trump EVP, Expert on Sexual Harassment

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In-Person Fee Range:

$7,501 - $10,000

Fee Details

Virtual Fee Range:

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Traveling from:

New Jersey

MeToo

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Topics

Women's Issues Political Speakers Women in Politics Virtual Keynote Speakers Women Motivational Diversity and Inclusion Real Estate Speakers Business Growth Storytelling Women Empowerment Women In Leadership Speakers

Barbara Res

Engineer, Attorney, Mediator, Author, Construction Manager, Former Trump EVP, Expert on Sexual Harassment

Add To My Favorites Check Fee/Availability

In-Person Fee Range:

$7,501 - $10,000

Fee Details

Virtual Fee Range:

Inquire for Fee

Traveling from:

New Jersey

Why Book

Pioneering Leadership in Construction and Real Estate: As the woman who led construction on Trump Tower and broke barriers in a male-dominated industry, Barbara Res offers unique insights into leadership, resilience, and navigating complex projects under high-stakes pressure.
Advocate for Women in the Workplace: A trailblazer for gender equality, Res shares powerful stories and strategies on how organizations can create inclusive environments, promote equity, and support women in leadership roles.
Inside Perspective on Power and Ethics: With her firsthand experience working closely with high-profile figures, Res delivers eye-opening commentary on ethical leadership, workplace culture, and the personal costs of power—making her talks both timely and thought-provoking.

Biography

Barbara Anne Res is known to the world as “The Woman Who Built Trump Tower” because Donald Trump used her to demonstrate how he hires powerful women. She is a 40-year veteran of the Construction and Real Estate Development industries.

One of only a handful of women engineers, Res encountered and endured intimidation, sexual harassment and discrimination during her early years on job sites. She overcame these obstacles and rose in the industry, ultimately to become an Executive in Construction and Real Estate Development for several Developers and a legend in the Construction Industry. She served as Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization for many years and is the one person willing and legally able to talk about him, who knows him best.

Res is the author of Tower of Lies – What My 18 Years of Working with Donald Trump Reveals About Him. This book is the only first-hand account available that illustrates and analyzes Trump behavior and experience during the formative years that brought him from obscurity to international fame.

Res has also written a memoir about all her experiences as a pioneer in the engineering and construction fields, All Alone on the 68th Floor: How One Woman Changed the Face of Construction. She has penned many op ed pieces about women in construction, her philosophy on feminism and her experiences working with Trump. She speaks extensively to women’s groups and industry groups about construction and women’s role in it, as well as sexual discrimination and harassment. Her talks are often met with tears, hugs and selfies. Women relate to her and are inspired by both her strength and stamina and her willingness to discuss the very personal impacts of the experiences she encountered. Res has spoken to women’s and industry groups in cities across the United States and in England.

A graduate of CCNY Engineering and Rutgers Law School, Res is the mother of two children and lives in Tenafly, NJ.

Programs

Women in Construction - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Discussion of the status of women in the construction industry and the progress and lack of progress made since she started working in 1972. Res provides solutions on how to increase the participation of women in construction and add to the bottom line. Res illustrates this information with statistics and personal accounts of women in the
industry today.

The Big Three - Discrimination, Intimidation and Sexual Harassment

These illegal but virulent behaviors still exist today. Res illustrates how to identify and evaluate incidents. For victims she opines on when to report, how to avoid being a victim, how to cope, hold on to her job and self esteem at the same time. For the industry, how to prevent these occurrences through encouragement, education and
discipline, and provides ways to improve morale and do damage control.

All Alone on the 68th Floor: How One Woman Changed the Face of Construction

This is the title of Res’s memoir which tells the story of a female pioneer in the male bastions of construction and engineering. Her personal experiences elucidate the problems women continue to experience in doing “men’s work”, and how she was able to overcome the obstacles she endured, the tribulations and the damage that occurred and remains. Res speaks on a very personal level on the enduring effects of this and by offering the details of her experiences she helps today’s woman navigate these still
dangerous waters. Women in other industries as well can relate to Res’s experiences and benefit from her advice.

Working one on one with the President of the United States

Res served as an Executive at the Trump Organization from 1978 – 1998 Res has done hundreds of interviews on television, in documentaries and with national and international magazines. She is repeatedly asked these questions”: What was Trump like back then? How does that compare to the man he is today? What can we predict about his behavior based on your 18 years with him? How do you relate his behavior now and during his first term to your knowledge of him.
Res shares very personal experiences as a learning tool for everyone to better understand and accept Donald Trump. Reading Tower of Lies, or listening to her speak, is essential to really understanding Trump as she is the only one with personal contact during Trump’s formative years.

Books

Tower of Lies: What My Eighteen Years of Working With Donald Trump Reveals About Him

All Alone on the 68th Floor

Topics

Women's Issues, Political Speakers, Women in Politics, Virtual Keynote Speakers, Women Motivational, Diversity and Inclusion, Real Estate Speakers, Business Growth, Storytelling, Women Empowerment, Women In Leadership Speakers,

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Barbara Res and what is she known for?

Barbara Res is a pioneering construction executive, attorney, author, and keynote speaker, represented by Eagles Talent Speakers Bureau. She is best known as the first woman ever to oversee a major New York City construction site — serving as Vice President in charge of construction for the Trump Organization when she was hired at age 31 to build Trump Tower between 1980 and 1984. She went on to become Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization over an 18-year career.

2. What topics does Barbara Res speak about?

Barbara Res speaks on women breaking barriers in male-dominated industries, leadership in challenging and hostile organizational environments, gender discrimination and workplace harassment, navigating power and authority as a woman in business, lessons from managing billion-dollar construction projects, and what the Trump Organization experience reveals about leadership, loyalty, and organizational culture. Her keynotes are candid, experience-grounded, and particularly resonant for professional women’s groups and organizations committed to equity and inclusion.

3. What makes Barbara Res different from other women's leadership speakers?

Barbara Res did not study barriers to women’s leadership — she broke through them. In 1980, at age 31, she was put in charge of building Trump Tower, one of the most high-profile construction projects in New York City history, becoming the first woman to oversee a major NYC construction project. She earned an Electrical Engineering degree from the City College of New York in 1971 and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School in 2007 while simultaneously building her legal and construction career. Her 18-year insider experience at the Trump Organization, and the book she wrote about it, give her a platform and credibility that is entirely unique.

What types of events does Barbara Res speak to?

Barbara Res speaks to women’s professional associations and leadership conferences, construction and engineering industry events, corporate diversity and inclusion forums, law school and university audiences, media and journalism organizations, and political and civic organizations. Her client base includes professional women’s groups, industry associations, and organizations seeking a first-hand account of navigating power, gender, and leadership at the highest levels of business.

5. Is Barbara Res available for virtual keynotes?

Yes. Barbara Res is available for both in-person and virtual keynote presentations. Her extensive media experience — including appearances on CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, and The Beat with Ari Melber — has made her a confident and polished on-camera communicator. Contact Eagles Talent Speakers Bureau to confirm availability and format options.

6. What is Barbara Res's speaking fee?

Barbara Res’s speaking fee varies depending on the event format, location, and specific requirements. To get an exact quote, contact Eagles Talent Speakers Bureau by calling 973-313-9800 or emailing info@eaglestalent.com.

What has Barbara Res written and what is Tower of Lies?

Barbara Res is the author of Tower of Lies: What My Eighteen Years of Working With Donald Trump Reveals About Him, published in October 2020. The memoir draws on her nearly two decades working directly with Trump — including building Trump Tower — to provide an unprecedented insider account of his leadership style, treatment of women, and organizational culture. The book became a widely-cited reference for journalists, political commentators, and leadership scholars examining Trump’s character and conduct. It reflects Res’s consistent willingness to speak truth to power, regardless of personal cost.

8. How do I book Barbara Res for my event?

Barbara Res is represented by Eagles Talent Speakers Bureau. To check her availability or request a quote, call 973-313-9800, email info@eaglestalent.com or visit EaglesTalent.com.

Does Barbara Res customize her keynote for each audience?

Yes. Barbara Res tailors her presentations to the specific focus and audience of each event. For professional women’s groups, she emphasizes the strategies she used to earn authority and credibility in male-dominated rooms. For construction and engineering audiences, she focuses on project leadership and technical credibility. For corporate diversity forums, she speaks directly to what systemic barriers look like from the inside — and what it actually takes to dismantle them. Her candor and specificity make every engagement feel like a conversation, not a lecture.

10. What do past clients say about Barbara Res as a keynote speaker?

Audiences consistently describe Barbara Res as one of the most honest and compelling speakers they have ever heard — noting that her willingness to share what she actually experienced, rather than a sanitized version, is both rare and deeply valuable. Women in construction, law, and engineering describe her story as a permission structure for their own ambitions. Corporate diversity audiences credit her with providing the most concrete, first-hand account of what barriers to women’s leadership actually look and feel like from the inside.