Stephanie Hun was recently elected president of Canadian Construction Women (CCW) for a two-year term. She comes to the position after a term as vice-president of the organization.
In her day job, Hun is director of business development in the Vancouver office of Flatiron Dragados Canada Inc., a civil engineering and construction company with offices in Canada and the United States.
“Canadian Construction Women was formed in 1981 as a support group for women working in the construction industry,” says Hun. “We are open to everyone. Most of our members are in the early or middle parts of their careers. We welcome male allies too.”
Its name notwithstanding, all of CCW’s members are in B.C.
“But we aspire to grow across Canada one day,” says Hun.
CCW provides a variety of functions, such as learning, networking and mentoring opportunities.
“In addition, we do member site visits that are led by female construction superintendents and project managers,” says Hun.
CCW holds monthly board meetings and regular events committee get-togethers.
“We’re looking to set up some new committees, too, for governance and for golfing/networking,” says Hun. “We want to help women find out what the opportunities in construction are, to help them find their way in the industry.”
CCW has formed partnerships with other construction associations in B.C., such as the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association and the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA).
CCW and the VRCA recently hosted the second annual LEAP: Women in Construction Conference in Vancouver.
The event took place March 7, one day before International Women’s Day.
According to an announcement, the goal of LEAP is to inspire and empower women in the construction industry.
Hun says that for the second year in a row the conference sold out “and there is a waitlist.”
“All the tables were full and some ladies were standing, so there were probably more than 320 women in attendance,” she says. “The event is open to everyone, and we are excited to have some male allies in the audience.”
In addition to LEAP in Vancouver, Hun says the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) hosted a similar event in Ontario.
CAWIC also sponsored the Stronger Together networking event in Brandon, Man. on March 6.
“There are several virtual events that take place across the country, but I don’t believe they’re as elaborate or involving as LEAP,” says Hun.
In addition to Hun, CCW director Erica Commons, who is the group’s treasurer, also attended the LEAP event. Commons previously served as the group’s director of programs.
Commons works as the manager of risk and compliance at BC Infrastructure Benefits (BCIB).
BCIB is a provincial Crown corporation that employs a skilled trades workforce on Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) projects.
“Through the priority hiring of underrepresented workers, we open doors.”
BCIB works to recruit women for construction and retain them in the workforce.
“Some women leave construction because they’re bullied and harassed on the jobsite,” says Commons.
Commons is also a trainer for BCIB’s Respectful Onsite Initiative.
ROI supports workers by helping to build inclusive and respectful jobsites. BCIB says the initiative is key to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.
In addition to Hun and Commons, the other directors who were elected to their posts in February are:
- Shelby Clerihue, vice-president;
- Julia Law, secretary;
- Natasha Jeshani, co-director of programs;
- Kathleen Morrison, co-director of programs;
- Mariam Abdulameer, co-director of sponsorship;
- Montana Davies, co-director of sponsorship;
- Holynde Smiechowski, director of membership;
- Megan Koop, director of communications;
- Teresa Leung, director of community;
- Pamela Armstrong, director at large; and
- Seema Lal, past-president.
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