Stephanie Morand started her career in construction as a structural steel welder. After a few years she transitioned into a safety position, eventually becoming a manager. After several years she took on a new challenge as a Community Engagement Manager. Stephanie is a deserving recipient of the DEI Excellence Award for the following reasons: 

Impact: Stephanie has significantly advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion within the construction industry. Her efforts have led to tangible improvements in creating inclusive work environments that promote diversity and equity. Her current project maintains an average of 30% equity seeking people. 

Inspiration: Stephanie’s unwavering commitment to fostering construction environments where all individuals can thrive and contribute to their fullest potential serves as an inspiration to others. Through her actions and values, she champions the importance of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce, inspiring others to follow suit. 

Advocate: Stephanie is a dedicated advocate for women in construction and has utilized her platform to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the industry. Her advocacy work has helped amplify the voices of underrepresented groups and drive positive change towards a more inclusive construction sector.  

She organized events, such as Women in Construction Week, and actively supports the UN’s Period Promise by ensuring free menstrual products are available to all menstruating individuals on her project sites. In her current role as Community Engagement Manager, Stephanie has endorsed the first Vancouver chapter of Women On Site (WOS).

Stephanie was the 2024 recipient of the VRCA’S Outstanding Woman in Construction Award.

Her commitment to excellence, ability to lead with both technical skills and empathy, and her drive to continually improve processes make her a standout candidate. Gina has consistently demonstrated initiative, resilience, and leadership throughout her career.

Her skills and drive were put to the test when she was finishing her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering while working at the same time to continue her career growth at Ledcor. She was successful in completing her degree concurrently with the successful delivery of a major project pursuit, both of which required a high degree of focus and dedication.

Gina is supporting shaping the future of construction through her innovative mindset and her ability to lead complex projects with clarity and confidence. She played a pivotal role in the Edmonton Capital Line South Extension RFP pursuit, which was her first design-build project.

Her leadership in design meetings and coordination with consultants and subtrades showcased her ability to manage complex challenges and drive results. Gina’s preconstruction support on major projects like the Edmonton Valley Line West RFP and Garneau Redevelopment, a mixed-use residential residence for the University of Alberta and the surrounding residential neighborhood, further highlights her continued growth.

Starting as a Project Coordinator and now a Project Manager, she has steadily advanced by taking on increasingly complex responsibilities and expanding her knowledge base through on-the-job training as well as continuing her education.

Her journey reflects not only her technical capabilities but also her leadership maturity. Gina’s positive attitude, attention to detail, and ability to lead by example make her a role model for other women entering the construction industry.

For more than 20 years, Nour has been a relentless voice for change, advocating for inclusive education and employment systems, mobilizing industry to reimagine hiring practices, and influencing public policy to address systemic inequities. Her advocacy is rooted in lived experience, inspired by her mother’s resilience in a male-dominated trade, and fueled by a commitment to justice and economic empowerment.

Through Build a Dream, she has led national efforts to challenge outdated perceptions of who belongs in skilled trades, STEAM, emergency response, and entrepreneurship. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to over 20 employees, hosted hundreds of career discovery events, and helped connect thousands of individuals with new career possibilities. Nour has secured over $15 million in government funding for Build a Dream and over $30 million throughout her career for initiatives that serve equity-deserving populations.

 One of Build a Dream’s most transformative milestones was securing over $10 million in federal funding in 2024, allowing us to expand our programs across Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. These investments are helping underrepresented apprentices access leadership development, wraparound supports, and cutting-edge tools like virtual reality training and our #PowerUp Skills program. This win wasn’t just about funding; it signaled national recognition of their model as a blueprint for addressing labour shortages and equity gaps in key sectors like construction. Since their founding, they’ve supported more than 67,000 women, girls, and career seekers through career expos, mentorship, and training.

 Nour has been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by WXN in 2022 and 2024. Nour was also recently named one of Construction’s Most Influential People for 2025 by SiteNews, a distinction recognizing leaders transforming the construction industry through innovation, policy, advocacy, and business leadership.

Lisa exemplifies visionary leadership, strategic innovation, and a deep commitment to advancing equity and excellence in the construction industry.

Lisa’s leadership has inspired a renewed focus on CAWIC’s mission and elevated the role of women in construction. Her work has helped CAWIC forge strategic partnerships, expand its bursary program, and launch new initiatives like the Women Building Canada magazine, which showcases the achievements and voices of women across the industry. For her trailblazing leadership, her unwavering commitment to inclusion, and her ability to drive meaningful change across the construction sector and within CAWIC, Lisa Laronde is a truly deserving recipient of the President’s Award.

Lisa Laronde’s legacy within CAWIC and the broader construction industry is one of visionary leadership, transformative impact, and unwavering advocacy for equity and inclusion. As a senior leader and active contributor to CAWIC’s industry relations efforts, Lisa has helped shape the organization’s strategic direction and amplify its voice across the sector. Her involvement in initiatives aimed at articulating CAWIC’s value to members, partners, and government stakeholders has strengthened the organization’s credibility and influence.

In 2023, Lisa was named as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women.

Growing up with a father in the trades, Madison’s love for construction began at a very young age where she would help him with jobs around the house, his precision and problem solving  left a lasting impression on her.  Between 2015 and 2017, Madison began her first construction job where she worked for Habitat for Humanity during the construction of the Port Hope affordable housing project.

This experience opened her eyes to the social impact of construction and the importance of creating safe, accessible housing. Volunteering in the community gave her a deeper appreciation for the planning, coordination, and effort that go into building homes. I worked alongside skilled tradespeople and other volunteers, helping with tasks including framing and maintenance. It was incredibly rewarding to see the physical results of our efforts and know that we were contributing to something meaningful.

For the past two years while pursuing her degree,  Madison has been volunteering with the Durham Nuclear Health Care Committee. This role allows her to contribute to local conversations about health, energy, and environmental stewardship, especially in a region where nuclear energy plays such a significant role. It’s rewarding to engage with professionals and community members who are focused on long-term well-being and sustainability.

Madison Kidd has been on the women in engineering club at Ontario Tech University, and has held a position in the executive team for 2 years, one of which was president. Her first year with women in engineering allowed her to realize the lack of passion in the club.

This motivated her to pursue the president role. Madison has held many events with the women in engineering club that year. She has made women in any engineering field have a space to feel welcomed and safe. She has truly made waves in leveling the playing field for women in engineering. Madison has also opened a chapter for ASME at Ontario Tech, pushing for mechanical students to get involved. She has hosted many clean up events for the sake of the environment, and study sessions so students can thrive. 

Madison has won an EDI award through women in engineering at Ontario Tech, she has received a Student in Nuclear (1 of 3 globally) scholarship. She has also been nominated for a Diversity and Inclusion at Ontario Tech University award.

Dunya is one of CAWIC’s founding members, and still actively volunteers with our Bursary Committee. 

As a member of the NAWIC Toronto chapter, Dunya was part of the group of women that took on the task of establishing a Canadian national association for women across Canada, while still holding an affiliation with NAWIC. In October 2005, Dunya and the rest of the founding members launched CAWIC, the first Canadian national association for women in Construction. She was the first Director of the Bursary Committee, and was instrumental in shaping the program which continues to be one of CAWIC’s top initiatives. She continued on as a volunteer for many years once she had stepped back from her Director role and has seen the program she ran for years grow to include members sponsored bursaries. On average, CAWIC’s bursary program awards $20,000 in student bursaries annually. 

Dunya is one to not mince words, she has always been passionate about the importance women play in construction. Her advocacy goes beyond CAWIC, she was a voice for women during her career in the industry and while she served on the Architectural Technologists of Ontario Board, driving home the fact women are just as capable as men to hold leadership positions, and make an impact in the construction industry.