BUILDING CANADA Canada Post Agreement Number: 40609661 WOMEN Spring 2026 | Issue #5 Dr. Gretchen Gagel’s Pathway to Empowering Women Leaders Why Sponsorship is the Key to Unlocking Women’s Leadership in Construction CAWIC’s Push for Meaningful Change Celebrating Women and Organizations Shaping Canada’s Construction IndustryThe official publication of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction 5 FEATURES 09 Shaping a Bold Future, Together, with CAWIC’s President, Kristen Bauer 11 Step Inside the Latest Edition of Women Building Canada Magazine with CAWIC’s Executive Director, Kristina Fixter 13 Meet CAWIC’s Board of Directors and Staff 14 Celebrating CAWIC’s Corporate Members 17 Building on 2025: Events You Won’t Want to Miss in 2026 46 Index to Advertisers GET TO KNOW 18 BLUEPRINT FOR CHANGE: DR. GRETCHEN GAGEL’S PATH TO EMPOWERING WOMEN LEADERS Dr. Gretchen Gagel has spent decades asking one critical question: what will it take for women to truly thrive in construction? Her journey – from engineer to consultant to founder of a global institute – reveals both the barriers women still face and the strategies that can drive real change. 26 BEYOND MENTORSHIP: WHY SPONSORSHIP IS THE KEY TO UNLOCKING WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP IN CONSTRUCTION Guidance can help us grow, but advocacy is what changes our trajectory. It’s time to focus on the powerful role sponsors play in advancing women’s careers. 30 CLOSING THE GAP ON GENDER EQUALITY: CAWIC’S PUSH FOR MEANINGFUL CHANGE For women like Cheyenne Boone, CAWIC offers something rare: a space where experiences are understood and voices amplified. Discover how the organization is closing the gender gap by building confidence, connection, and lasting change. 34 TOGETHER WE RISE: REFLECTIONS FROM A CAWIC AND TORONTO CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION EVENT A packed room, honest conversations, and powerful moments of connection – Together We Rise captured what real support for women in construction looks like. Here’s how industry leaders are reshaping the landscape, one voice at a time. 40 BUILDING EQUITY: CELEBRATING WOMEN AND ORGANIZATIONS SHAPING CANADA’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY From boardrooms to build sites, meet the women and organizations reshaping Canada’s construction industry – one bold idea, breakthrough project, and barrier smashed at a time. 44 SUPPORTING WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION: 20 YEARS OF IMPACT THROUGH CAWIC’S BURSARY PROGRAM CAWIC’s Bursary Program empowers women in construction by providing financial support and recognition to help them succeed in a male-dominated industry. Read more about the most recent recipients. 6 Spring 2026 | Issue #5 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. Spring 2026 | Issue #5 Published For: Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) 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 Ana Baez, Colleen Bell, Jackie Casburn, Chandler Cousins, Paolo Cruz, Rob Gibson, Wilma Gray-Rose, Jim Hamilton, Craig Hornell, Frank Kenyeres, Brendan Kidney, Sandra Kirby, Andrew Lee, Ian MacGregor, Brian MacIntyre, Chad Morris, Lynn Murphy, Monique Simons Layout & Design Kayti McDonald Advertising Design James Robinson © 2026 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 A s we move through March, a month dedicated to honouring women’s leadership and celebrating Women in Construction Week, I can’t help but reflect on the action, purpose, and strength that define our community. It has been over seven months since I took on the role as president of CAWIC and during that time, I have continued to see the exciting work underway and, more importantly, the essential action needed moving forward. Real transformation requires courage. It requires us to challenge longstanding beliefs, address key issues directly, and champion the changes our industry has needed for far too long. It also requires unity and a strong and united voice – a collective voice that CAWIC is proud to lead. As the national association for women in construction, CAWIC continues to undergo a massive transformation; one that will grow even more impactful as we move through 2026 and beyond. CAWIC isn’t just an organization; it’s a movement. It’s where women in construction come together to support each other, strengthen their skills, and shape the future of the industry. Over the next few months, you will hear my fellow board members and I share more about the vision for our future and what needs to be done to bring that vision to reality. Our plans are ambitious, and our commitment is unwavering. CAWIC’s bold new ideas are not just about transforming our organization; they are about influencing meaningful change across the entire construction sector. Together, and only together, can we build the diverse, equitable, innovative, safe, and inclusive industry that we all deserve. As we celebrate the 2026 Women in Construction Week, I encourage each of you to pause and recognize the momentum we have built and to feel excited for what is next. Take a moment – celebrate a colleague’s achievements; support another woman entering or advancing in our industry; raise the issues that matter; and, most importantly, take your seat at the table. Your presence strengthens our industry, and your leadership is shaping the future. This month and in the months to come, join CAWIC as we continue to amplify our voices, own our vision, and take bold, unapologetic action. AWIC on of Women in Construction SHAPING A BOLD FUTURE, TOGETHER Kristen Bauer President, CAWIC Together, and only together, can we build the diverse, equitable, innovative, safe, and inclusive industry that we all deserve. GET TO KNOW Taking place the first full week of March, Women in Construction Week honours the trailblazers who have shaped the industry and inspires the next generation of women to build what’s next.Next >