Canada Post Agreement Number: 40609661 BUILDING CANADA Fall 2025 | Issue #4 Canada Post Agreement Number: 40609661 Celebrating CAWIC’s WOMENThe official publication of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction 5 47 Meet the Graduating Class of 2025, from the CAWIC-Schulich Upskilling Certificate Program for Women in Construction 49 Mark Your Calendar for CAWIC’s 2026 Bursary Program! 51 Celebrating CAWIC’s Corporate Members 52 Looking Back at CAWIC Event s 55 Build Community. Lead Change. Join CAWIC. 58 Index to Advertisers FEATURES 09 Celebrating 20 Years of Progress, Possibility, and Community with CAWIC’s President 11 Warm Goodbyes from CAWIC’s Outgoing Executive Director 11 Excitement for the Future from CAWIC’s Incoming Executive Director 13 Meet CAWIC’s Board of Directors and Staff CAWIC NEWS & VIEWS GET TO KNOW 14 LAYING THE FOUNDATION: CAWIC’S 20-YEAR JOURNEY OF EMPOWERING WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION What started as a grassroots support system has become a national force for change in Canada’s construction industry. From mentorship and advocacy to career-shaping programs and bold leadership, the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) is proving that when women are supported, they don’t just succeed – they transform the industry. Meet the trailblazers, hear their stories, and discover what’s next as CAWIC celebrates two decades of lifting women up and tearing down outdated walls. 22 FROM BYSTANDER TO BUILDER: MALE ALLYSHIP IN ACTION What does real support for women in construction look like? In one of Canada’s most male-dominated sectors, true allyship goes beyond slogans – it’s about accountability, action, and everyday presence. From job sites to boardrooms, explore how authentic partnerships are reshaping culture, boosting inclusion, and building a better industry for everyone. 36 SAFETY, NOT STYLE: THE REAL REASON WOMEN’S PPE MATTERS Ill-fitting PPE isn’t just uncomfortable – it’s unsafe. For decades, tradeswomen have had to modify, purchase, or settle for gear designed for men. But the industry is waking up. In this article leading voices share how inclusive, properly fitting equipment is reshaping safety culture on job sites across Canada. From gloves to high-vis to fall protection, learn why it’s time to stop treating women’s safety like an afterthought – and how companies are stepping up to build a better standard.6 Fall 2025 | Issue #4 If you have photos of your tradespeople at work, Women Building Canada would like to share the snapshots with readers across Canada. This is a great way to recognize team members and their contribution to your companies and the entire industry. Images must be high resolution. If chosen, we’ll include a 1-2 sentence caption that can include names, project details, company details, and photographer details. Fall 2025, Issue #4 Published For: Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) c/o Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) 180 Attwell Drive, Suite 280 Toronto, ON M9W 6A9 info@cawic.ca www.cawic.ca Published By: Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Return all undeliverable addresses to: 309 Youville Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2S9 Toll-Free: (866) 999-1299 Toll-Free Fax: (866) 244-2544 sales@matrixgroupinc.net www.matrixgroupinc.net President & CEO Jack Andress Operations Manager Shoshana Weinberg sweinberg@matrixgroupinc.net Senior Publisher Jessica Potter jpotter@matrixgroupinc.net Publishers Julie Welsh, Christine Scarisbrick Editor-in-Chief Shannon Savory ssavory@matrixgroupinc.net Editor / Social Media Manager Jenna Collignon Finance / Administration Lloyd Weinberg, Nathan Redekop accounting@matrixgroupinc.net Director of Circulation & Distribution Lloyd Weinberg distribution@matrixgroupinc.net Sales Manager Jeff Cash jcash@matrixgroupinc.net Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Account Executives Colleen Bell, Jackie Casburn, Chandler Cousins, Rich Cowan, Rob Gibson, Jim Hamilton, Frank Kenyeres, Sandra Kirby, Andrew Lee, Brian MacIntyre, Chad Morris, Lynn Murphy, Wilma Gray-Rose, Monique Simons Layout & Design Kayti McDonald Advertising Design James Robinson © 2025 Matrix Group Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. BOOK YOUR AD IN NEXT ISSUE! To advertise in the next edition of Women Building Canada , please e-mail sales@matrixgroupinc.net or call (866) 999-1299 . Your Photos In Print! All across the country women are contributing to Canada’s construction environment, lending their skills and expertise to projects big and small. Sharing images of women at work in the construction industry is a fantastic way to show potential and new tradespeople that women DO belong and are DOING amazing work. SEND YOUR SNAPSHOTS TO INFO@CAWIC.CA.The official publication of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction 9 T his year marks a bold and inspiring new chapter for the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC). As we celebrate 20 years of championing women in the construction industry, we are proud to say that our momentum and progress is stronger than ever. Membership across the country is rising as more women and allies join us in building a more equitable, innovative, and inclusive construction industry. We’re delivering more value than ever through expanded programming, accessible resources, dynamic events, and powerful partnerships that reflect the needs of our members and the demands of today’s industry. From the development of our new mentorship program and professional development workshops to our growing presence in advocacy at the local and national levels, CAWIC is taking bold new action to help deliver on our mission to enhance the success of women in our industry. We’re breaking down barriers, amplifying voices, and creating spaces where women in construction can participate, lead, and thrive in. This issue of Women Building Canada magazine captures the energy and evolution of that journey and the important work still underway. Inside this edition, you will find: •Laying the Foundation: CAWIC’s 20-Year Journey of Empowering Women in Construction: Take a look at how far we’ve come. From the early days of CAWIC to the national movement that is being accelerated today, hear from some of the trailblazing women who helped build CAWIC’s legacy and learn how our current momentum is shaping the years ahead. •From Bystander to Builder: Male Allyship in Action: True allyship in our industry isn’t performative. This article explores what authentic support looks like from our male colleagues and champions. From job sites to boardrooms, real partnership is changing workplace culture and driving progress for all. •Safety, Not Style: The Real Reason Women’s PPE Matters: Safety shouldn’t be one-size-fits- men. For years, women have had to adapt or compromise with ill-fitting PPE. That’s changing. Discover how inclusive safety gear is more than a comfort issue. It is a game-changer for productivity, morale, and wellbeing across Canadian job sites. BUILDING A CONSTRUCTION COMMUNITY TOGETHER CAWIC is proud to lead the charge, but our success is built by all of you: our members, partners, allies, and volunteers who continue to push for progress. Thank you for believing in this mission and thank you for building an exciting future together. Here’s to the next 20 years. AWIC on of Women in Construction CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PROGRESS, POSSIBILITY, AND COMMUNITY Kristen Bauer President, CAWIC GET TO KNOW CAWIC would like to thank each of its corporate members for supporting the organization’s mission and goals! For a full list of corporate members visit the link below. Be sure to click on the logos to visit their pages. https://cawic.ca/corporatemembers/Next >