Building Your Story
Welcome to Building Your Story, the podcast that shares the stories of successful women in the construction industry.
Episodes
Cali-Anna Elliott on Starting in HVAC, Challenging Trade Stereotypes, and Finding Confidence Through Apprenticeship
Over the course of a year and three conversations, Cali-Anna Elliott shares her journey from having never picked up a tool to becoming a confident HVAC apprentice. From choosing the trades almost by accident, to navigating trade school, working independently in the field, and discovering the "why" behin...
Making Space for Change: The Journey of Sarah Sipkar and Resomate
Discover how Sarah Cipkar transitioned from community activism and urban planning to founding Resomate, a pioneering company focused on backyard homes and modular construction solutions that address housing shortages. Her story highlights the power of hands-on experimentation, innovative use of technology, and the importance of community-focused soluti...
From Ballet Barre to Construction Site: Cara Grand's Journey
Cara Grand’s journey from ballerina to construction leader is a masterclass in resilience and purpose. Discover how her passion for learning fueled a career shift from dance to managing billion-dollar projects. Cara shares insights on leadership, balancing motherhood, and breaking barriers in male-dominated fields. Her story is a testament to the powe...
From Shyness to Leadership: Nancy Weinman's Journey in Architecture
Join Nancy Weinman as she shares her inspiring journey from a shy child to a leading architect and construction manager. Discover her experiences in a male-dominated industry and her dedication to mentoring future women leaders.
Key topics:
- Early influences and dreams in art and architecture
- Overcoming challenges as a woman in architecture
- Career evo...
An Unplanned Path to Construction Leadership
In this episode, Laura Korte, Vice President of Construction at VR Mechanical, shares her unique career journey. Starting with aspirations of becoming a doctor, Laura's path changed drastically after taking a temporary job in construction. Discover how her background in health sciences unexpectedly led to a passion for construction and project management. Laura...
Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women in Male-Dominated Fields with Nour Hachem
In this episode, Diane interviews Nour Hachem, President and Founder of the national not-for-profit 'Build A Dream'. Nour talks about her background and childhood and moving from Lebanon to Canada. She shares her journey from aspiring to be a human rights lawyer to discovering her passion for the not-for-profit sector, leading her to establ...
Empowering Women in Skilled Trades: Diane Finnegan's Journey
In this episode, Diane Finnegan, CEO of The Dirty Seahorse, shares her inspiring journey from being a retail sales manager to founding a company that makes women's workwear for skilled trades. Diane describes how her daughter's challenges in finding suitable workwear sparked the idea, leading her to create a business focused on durable, functional, ...
Breaking Barriers: Pat's Journey in Construction and Leadership
In this episode, Pat, shares her inspiring journey from Southeast London to becoming the VP of Major Projects for Bird in Vancouver. Starting with a childhood dream of becoming a policewoman, she pivoted to the construction industry, building a successful 35-year career spanning multiple countries. Pat discusses her early challenges, including her entry ...
Renae Sams: Building a Path for Women in Construction
In this episode, Diane interviews Renae Sams, founder and executive director of Build-Her.org, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women in construction. Renee shares her journey from dreaming of working for NASA to becoming a leader in the construction industry. She details the challenges she faced, including overcoming imposter syndrome and navigating a career w...
Jessica Luczycki: Redefining Construction Administration Through Part3
In this episode, we meet Luczycki, Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer at Part3. Jessica shares her journey from aspiring teacher to tech entrepreneur in the architectural and construction industry. She discusses her educational background, initial career at EllisDon, and transition into architectural contract administration. Jessica reveals how...
Chelsea Fenton: Pioneering Women in Construction
In this episode, Chelsea Fenton (@thatunionlaborer), a 32-year-old union laborer from Western Massachusetts, shares her inspiring journey from aspiring to be a firefighter to excelling in the construction industry. Chelsea discusses the challenges she overcame, including being denied entry into the apprenticeship program twice before finally being accepted. She explain...
The Journey of Mercedes Byers: From environmental science to co-founding a thriving sustainability consulting business.
In this episode, Mercedes Byers shares her inspiring journey from her early dreams of becoming an actor to establishing herself in the sustainability consulting field. She talks about her childhood, academic pursuits, and how a serendipitous environmental science class at the University of Toronto p...
Dee Durant: From Electrical Apprentice to Trade Advocate - A Journey Through Challenges and Triumphs
In this episode, Dee Durant, a 24-year-old electrical apprentice from southern Ontario, shares her inspiring journey from childhood aspirations of becoming a meteorologist to finding her calling in the electrical trade. Despite facing challenges like severe anxiety and ADHD, Dee sheds light on how she navigated her ac...
Beyond the Nickname: Amy Marks' Journey of hard work, perseverance and kindness.
In this episode, Diane welcomes Amy Marks, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Compass Data Centers, often known as the 'Queen of Prefab.' Amy shares her journey from a turbulent upbringing in a construction family business to becoming a leading figure in the construction and prefabrication industries. She details her academic backgro...
Ashley Kalizuk: From Crane Operator to Advocate for Women in Construction
In this episode, Ashley Kalizuk shares her journey from a crane operator to a photographer and an instructor in the construction industry. Reflecting on her career's challenges and triumphs, Ashley discusses her early days working in construction, the unexpected path to her Red Seal endorsement, and her transition into full-time photography and...
Annik Forristal's Journey from Engineering to Legal Expertise in Construction
In this episode, Diane welcomes Annik Forristal, a Toronto-based lawyer specializing in municipal and construction law. Annik shares her inspiring journey, from her early fascination with engineering during a 'Take Your Kid to Work Day' experience, to her career in the law industry. She discusses her experiences working with various industr...
Empowering the Next Generation: Lindsay Chester's Advocacy for Young Women in Skilled Trades
In this episode, Lindsay Chester, the Young Women's Initiatives Program Manager at Skills Ontario, shares her journey and mission to promote skilled trades as viable career options for young women. Starting as a dream to become a teacher, Lindsay shifted her career path and found her way to Skills Ontario.. Lindsay discusses ...
In this special episode for Women in Construction Week (March 2-8 2025), we highlight some of the inspiring stories shared by women on this podcast. Hosted by Diane, this episode brings together past guests including Leslie, Gelare, Mi, Morgan, Sabrina, and Lisa to share their unique journeys, experiences, and challenges in the construction field.
They share their journeys into the construction industry, from childho...
Trailblazing Women in Construction: A Candid Conversation with Lisa Laronde
In this insightful discussion, Diane interviews Lisa Laronde, Chief Transformation Officer for Ramudden Global, who shares her journey from finance to leading a major construction company. Lisa recounts her transition into the construction industry, the obstacles she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, and how she overcame workplace c...
Pioneering in Construction: From Rugby Fields to Infrastructure Projects with Sabrina
In this episode, Diane interviews Sabrina, a civil engineer from Zurich, Switzerland. Sabrina, who works in consulting and project management for infrastructure projects, shares her journey from growing up in an architect family to becoming a significant figure in the construction industry. She discusses her educational path, influe...
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