Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce’s Post

From 2006 to 2009, I was the only woman on site in the construction industry. It was a challenging experience, working in an environment that wasn’t just male-dominated—it was male-exclusive in so many ways. No female toilets. No sanitary bins. No other women to share the journey with. But even in those isolating moments, I knew I wasn’t just working for myself—I was paving the way for others. Fast forward to 2024, and I am proud to now hold the role of Commercial Director in this incredible industry. The landscape has changed dramatically over the years. Today, there are more women on sites, in offices, and in leadership roles, driving real progress. Companies are addressing the needs of diverse teams, and conversations around inclusion and equality and delivering tangible change. I want to take a moment to acknowledge those who supported me along the way. Steven Laird and David Anderson, thank you for believing in me, mentoring me, and championing my journey. Your support has been invaluable, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without people like you in my corner. To every woman in construction: your presence matters, your voice is needed, and your contributions are shaping the future of this industry. To those considering joining: there is a place for you here, and the opportunities are limitless. From being the only woman to becoming a Commercial Director, this journey has been one of resilience, growth, and pride. Together, we’re building a better and more inclusive future—brick by brick.

Be sure to watch the interview I did with Mel Miller (Natay Construction)! We cover a wide range of topics, including her journey in the industry, key insights from her experiences, and some valuable advice for anyone looking to achieve career success. It's full of great insights and experiences that you won't want to miss. https://lnkd.in/gSsqvEz5

Yesterday at Bird Construction, we had the privilege of hearing Jennifer Koury ICD.D share her invaluable insights and reflections as a senior female leader. What stood out most was her authenticity—she’s a powerful example of how to lead successfully while staying true to one's values. Over the course of just 90 minutes, I absorbed a wealth of knowledge, and I’d like to highlight a few key takeaways for this community: - Architect your own career: Define who you want to be, why it matters, and chart your path to get there. - Political savvy vs. playing politics: You don't need to engage in office politics, but it's essential to be politically savvy—build meaningful connections and gather allies as you work toward your vision. - Seek mentors and allies: Continuously look for mentors but be clear and specific about what you seek from them. - Fluidity over balance: Instead of striving for a perfect work-life balance, embrace the concept of fluidity. At times, work may require more of you, and at other times, family does—and that's okay.

Our values are our guiding principles that help us to ensure we deliver our promise to our most important stakeholders - the young people we work with. 💙 Connection | Building and utilising relationships to minimise employment gaps 🧡 Collaboration | Doing more and doing better by working in partnership with young people and organisations 💚 Consistency | Delivering reliable, quality support that can be trusted 💜 Celebration | Recognising the "big" and "small" wins for young people, our organisation, and our community It's why organisations refer their young people to our services. It's why young people regularly recommend us to their friends. And it's why young people continue to engage with us. We exist to ensure young people have access to the support they need to live thriving adult lives. Check out our website to see how you can help us with our mission: https://lnkd.in/euRV6CD9 #youngpeople #youthwork #youthempowerment #youthemployment #corporateresponsibility #foundingpartner #investinthefuture

We need more diverse voices shaping decisions at the highest level. But how do you get started? Many aspiring board members, especially minorities, aren’t sure where to begin. Alongside Raymond Watt and Florian Kemmerich in YPO, I discuss the importance of being board-ready and building the right networks to secure that first opportunity. Your first board seat is closer than you think: https://lnkd.in/ecmj-hgJ #BoardDiversity #BoardMatters

Achieving gender parity in mid-market businesses remains a challenge. Women still encounter many unique barriers and external intervention is needed to pave the way for more diverse and inclusive leadership.   In a recent Gatwick Diamond Business Magazine, Victoria Symons, a partner in our corporate team, speaks about our recent report 'Beating bias: Fuelling female leadership', which spotlights gender bias and the career barriers businesswomen often encounter. Victoria said: "In today’s business landscape, achieving gender parity remains a pressing issue. Female leaders and entrepreneurs face unique challenges, from funding disparities to male-dominated networks and juggling the competing demands of work and life. By addressing these challenges, we can create a more equitable environment that allows businesses to thrive, benefitting everyone regardless of gender. We hope this report takes a crucial step towards understanding these issues and implementing meaningful solutions." Read the full article in the magazine on page 9 https://lnkd.in/eS-adG_V   #StrongerTogether #EmpowHer #FemaleLeaders

"PTAFF 2024: Embracing Liberation – A global platform for art, activism, and change. Join us in the fight for freedom and justice through Sponsorship, Speaker and Panelist Opportunities, or showcase your talent through Performance Opportunities. Be part of the movement to inspire change and ignite conversations that matter." November 1st through 3rd 2024

Today marks the start of Construction Inclusion Week, a pivotal time to reflect on the shared responsibility we all have in fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging in the construction industry. At AECOM Tishman, we know that leadership and accountability are not just top-down initiatives—they are collective responsibilities that each of us can demonstrate every day, regardless of role or title.   True leadership is about influencing others toward a common goal. Accountability is owning our actions. When it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), these principles take on even greater meaning. We are all leaders, modeling the behaviors we want to see in others and driving toward the goal of a more inclusive and equitable society. At the same time, we must hold ourselves and others accountable for actions that inspire change and create real impact.   Throughout this week, our Construction Inclusion Week Ambassadors will be sharing their insights on the importance of inclusion across all our projects. Today, we’ll hear from Shanaé Barnes, who will offer her perspective on how we can continue driving positive change and ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the heart of everything we do. Let’s keep working together to build a more inclusive future for everyone!   #ConstructionInclusionWeek #InclusionMatters #Leadership #Accountability #AECOMHunt #AECOMTishman #DEI #BuildingTogether

In order to build a more sustainable future, we need talented individuals in Green Job sectors working to make it happen. Opportunities in the environmental and sustainability sector can be challenging to access especially for communities with no pathway into the industry, who are already affected by environmental issues. To open Jobs for the Future (JFF)'s session on Building an Equitable Green Collar Workforce for the Future at #JFFHorizons, we spotlighted BlackOak Collective and their co-founder Weston Gobar who are working to address both the disproportionate effects of environmental harm on marginalized communities and creating initiatives for people of color to access careers in the environmental sector. Jobs for the Future (JFF) is a national nonprofit creating inclusive skills building, employment opportunities, and career pathways for underrepresented communities. 🎥Director/Producer: Adam Simon  🎬Executive Producer: Ryder Haske  📸 DP: Zach Wood 📷AC / Swing: Dennis Kramer  🎧Sound: Patrick King 📋PA: Jenna Beshara

"The time to invest in our people is now," says Ashley Basile Oeken, President of Engage! Cleveland. This week in Crain's Cleveland Business published an op-ed by our President Ashley Basile Oeken. She shares the importance of professional development for early and mid-career professionals, especially as we look ahead to 2025. Directly referencing our 2023 State of the Young Professional Community Report, a report we compiled of data from the current professional community working in Cleveland right now, Ashley highlights the ultimate need there is to provide professional development opportunities for your staff. Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/eCEtvJqn