On-Site + SitePartners Present: 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction

While there has been a shortage of skilled labour within Canada’s construction sector for more than a decade, there certainly has never been a shortage of talented individuals working in the wide variety of roles that make up the industry. And on that note, On-Site and SitePartners are excited to announce the second edition of the Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction.

Our annual celebration showcases some of the young talented individuals that are leading the sector into a bright and prosperous future across many different facets of the industry from the people managing operations on site to directors of various divisions, engineers, accountants, partners, sustainability managers, company owners, building materials suppliers, lean integration leaders, construction law professionals, and more.

While we are proud to highlight these talented individuals, there are many more people to choose from the industry’s 1.4 million workers. We look forward to showcasing more of the Canadian construction industry’s incredible workforce in 2022!

 

40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction

 

ALICIA MILTON

Director, Business Enablement

Ledcor Construction

Vancouver, B.C.

As an accountant with a CPA, CMA designation, Alicia Milton has 17 years of professional experience, with more than 12 of those years specialized in communications networks within the construction sector. Milton has been working with Ledcor Group since 2012 where she began as a senior accountant progressing to director of business enablement in 2019, where she currently leads a team of over 70 employees for their Western Canadian Communications division out of the Vancouver office. Highlights of her career include supporting the wireless network build for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, standardizing reporting across multiple business units and consolidating multiple systems into a single, centralized system to improve internal efficiencies. Milton has been a mentor with the CPA program, has spoken at a Canadian Construction Women event, and volunteers with a local organization that supports new mothers struggling with mental health and other challenges.

 

AMIR KASSAIAN

Principal, General Manager

Luxton Construction

Vancouver, B.C.

With a master’s degree in civil engineering, specialized in project and construction management, Amir Kassaian has grown Luxton Construction into one of the fastest growing heavy civil companies across Canada. Co-founded in Vancouver by Kassaian in 2016, Luxton Construction has exponentially increased its revenue since inception, and has doubled its staff since the beginning of the pandemic. Drawing from his strong background in the oil and gas and P3 sectors, Kassaian has brought leadership and processes required for building a high-performing team and an industry-leading construction company.

Kassaian has registered Luxton Construction with UBC and SFU engineering programs to onboard co-op students and provide them with mentorship and guidance needed in the early stages of their careers. He is an active member of APEGA (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta), VRCA (Vancouver Regional Construction Association), and the BC Road Builders Association.

 

ANDREW MOLES

Director, Solar

PCL Construction

Toronto, Ont.

Andrew Moles has risen through the ranks of PCL Construction since 2007 and was one of the leading contributors to a renewable energy business plan, which paved the way for PCL to enter the renewable energy market in Ontario. He has since written a business plan which opened PCL’s first Centre of Excellence for Solar in 2018, based out of Toronto, where Moles has been appointed director, overseeing over $1.1 billion in new contracts. With his passion combined with over 14 years of experience in solar infrastructure projects, Moles provides leadership across PCL’s Canadian, American, and Australian teams to help build the renewable energy industry on a global scale.

As an active leader in the solar industry, Moles is co-chair of the Utility- Scale Solar Power Division of the SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) and serves as a board member of Canadian Renewable Energy Association. Outside of work, he co-facilitates the Roadmaps to Success Program in his hometown of Hamilton, Ont. as a mentor within the community.

 

ANKIT BHARGAVA

Partner

Deloitte

Calgary, Alta.

With an MBA in strategy and finance from the Richard Ivey School of Business and a master’s degree in civil engineering from UBC, Ankit Bhargava has recently been hired as partner of Deloitte in 2021 out of the Calgary office. Within the first phase of his career, Bhargava has worked as a project manager with engineering consulting firms in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, delivering complex infrastructure projects. He then transitioned to business and operations management on a $1-billion oil sands construction portfolio, before finally working in an entrepreneurial capacity to lead Deloitte’s Infrastructure advisory practice in Alberta. He brings significant expertise in building high performing teams for sustainable business growth.

Bhargava is an active mentor with the APEGA (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta), and his research, Life Expectancy Functions (LEFs) for Life Cycle Engineering Models, has been published in reputed technical journals.

 

BRANDON DREWLO

Owner & CEO

Novacom Building Partners

Vancouver, B.C.

Growing up in the family business in the Greater Vancouver Area, Brandon Drewlo’s journey with Novacom began at a young age, working as a labourer on site on the weekends and at the office in the evenings, earning the chance to learn about the company and industry from both perspectives. He began his career as a project manager at Novacom in 2004, after achieving his diploma in architectural building engineering technology at BCIT. Two years later, Drewlo became a minority owner, working alongside his father, the founder of Novacom, to grow the company. Over the next 10 years, Novacom’s revenue grew by a factor of 20, with Drewlo playing a significant role in scaling the company by developing Novacom’s systems, processes, and IT infrastructure. This included the Sage CRE 300 ERP and Procore Project Management platforms.

Within the industry, Drewlo is an active member of TEC (The Executive Committee) Canada, the VRCA (Vancouver Regional Construction Association), Vancouver’s Lean CoP (Communities of Practice), and the IPDA (Integrated Project Delivery Alliance).

 

CALVIN LAL

Project & MEP Manager

Unitech Construction Management

Vancouver, B.C.

With over 15 years of experience in mechanical engineering throughout Vancouver, Calvin Lal is a leader in collaborative construction. After achieving his associate’s degree in mechanical engineering from BCIT in 2010, he worked at HVAC Systems & Solutions, progressing to senior project manager and chief estimator, where he became the technical lead on new HVAC technologies. Lal achieved a bachelor’s degree in construction management from BCIT in 2016, and joined Unitech Construction Management in 2017 to manage high-profile institutional, commercial, and residential construction projects. In his current role as project and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) manager, Lal oversees $150 million worth of construction with a focus on risk mitigation.

Lal has continued to develop professionally throughout his career, earning LEED AP BC+C and GSC (Gold Seal Champion) in project management, general construction certifications. He is also an active member of VRCA (Vancouver Regional Construction Association) and IPDA (Integrated Project Delivery Alliance), and has presented as a keynote speaker at BCIT’s Mechanical Systems program on the topic of CCDC5A and CCDC30 delivery models.

 

CAROLYNE FILION

Director, Research and Development, Innovation

Pomerleau

Saint-Georges, Que.

With a master’s degree in engineering management from École de technologie supérieure, Carolyne Filion has applied innovative construction methodologies to complex infrastructure projects across Québec valued up to $630 million. Beginning her career as a project manager with Groupe GEYSER in 2014, Filion eventually transitioned to Pomerleau in Saint-Georges, Que., one of Canada’s leading construction companies in sustainable buildings, where she began in 2017 as a senior coordinator of BIM/VDC. In 2019 she was promoted to innovation manager of R&D and special projects, buildings operations, where she is a leader in lean construction methods and virtual design and construction. Filion’s team is responsible for Pomerleau’s aXLab initiative, an innovative lab dedicated to integrating new technology to the construction industry, where they collaborate with experts from other sectors including artificial intelligence.

Filion is involved in several industry associations, including QRBHCA (The Québec Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association), CEGQ (Corporation of general contractors of Québec), CCA (Canadian Construction Association), and ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers).

 

CHAMPSTON LE

Director

Axiom Builders

Calgary, Alta.

Champston Le began his journey with Axiom Builders as a project coordinator after graduating from BCIT’s Architectural and Building Engineering Technology program in 2008. Originally based out of Vancouver, Le was recognized for his potential to grow Axiom Builders’ presence in the Calgary market in 2011, where he has since helped manage the completion of significant projects including The Guardian, Calgary’s tallest residential development. As a testament to his leadership and his ability to train a growing team on construction procedures and systems, Le was promoted to director of Axiom’s Calgary branch in 2020. To date, Le has managed over two-million square feet of residential construction, amounting to over $500 million in contract value.

As one of the young leaders growing Axiom’s presence in Calgary, Le has been a member of the ULI (Urban Land Institute) Young Leaders Committee and is actively involved in the CCA’s (Calgary Construction Association) Young Construction Leadership program.

 

CRAIG ENNS

Vice President & Area Manager, B.C.

EllisDon

Vancouver, B.C.

With a bachelor of engineering from Queen’s University, Craig Enns originally began working with EllisDon out of the Mississauga office as an engineering intern in 2005, before joining the EllisDon Vancouver office in 2008 as an assistant project manager. He has since progressed to the role of vice-president and area manager of B.C. Having managed high-profile projects including the $1-billion Oakridge Centre Redevelopment project and the $40-million Clayton Community Centre – Canada’s largest passive house project to date – Enns is responsible for the direction of EllisDon’s operations across the province, overseeing the project controls, estimating, and scheduling, as well as leading the field project management and client relations teams.

Enns is a member of the APEGBC (Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of BC) and is a LEED-accredited professional. Enns is also a member of the VRCA (Vancouver Regional Construction Association) as well as the VICA (Vancouver Island Construction Association) and has been invited to speak at the VRCA Leadership Conference.

 

DAN CHYZOWSKI

Director of Construction

ETRO Construction

Vancouver, B.C.

Dan Chyzowski’s progression in the construction industry began after earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Saskatchewan in 2011, where he worked at Ledcor contributing to large-scale commercial and airport improvements projects. In 2016 he joined ETRO Construction out of Vancouver as a project manager with the chance to grow under the leadership and mentorship of ETRO founder Mike Maierle, a former manager he had worked with at Ledcor. Since progressing to director of construction, Chyzowski has been a member of ETRO’s executive team that has helped assemble an innovation and technology team, whose contributions have received recognition through the Procore Groundbreaker Excellence in Innovation and CanBIM’s Innovation Spotlight awards. His leadership has contributed to ETRO’s development as a team of five to 60, recognized as one of the fastest growing construction companies in B.C.

Committed to growing the construction industry, Chyzowski holds memberships and is an active contributor to the VRCA (Vancouver Regional Construction Association) and APEGBC (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC).

 

DAN COMMONS

Senior Project Manager

Ledcor

Kitimat, B.C.

With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UBC, Dan Commons began his career at Ledcor in 2011 as a Project Coordinator, quickly demonstrating a high competency for safety, environmental, quality, and financial performance on high-profile oil and gas projects. Commons was soon recognized by senior management as an upcoming leader and was promoted to Project Manager in 2014, and later to Senior Project Manager, where he currently works out of Kitimat, B.C. Commons has been hand-picked to work on some of Western Canada’s most challenging projects, including the Northwest Redwater Refinery, the Trans Mountain Expansion Pipeline, and the LNG Canada Project, managing projects in value up to $250M with teams of up to 300 personnel. Working within the Haisla Nation’s traditional territory as a construc tion partner, Commons is actively involved in supporting the Nation and its members, including involvement in the Construction Readiness Training Program, which provides management, safety, and fieldbased technical training, with guaranteed employment following successful completion of the program.

 

DEREK BUNTING

Regional Manager

Maple Reinders Constructors

Mississauga, Ont.

After graduating from Mohawk College in architectural technology in 2005, Derek Bunting achieved his diploma in technology leadership, business and project management from McMaster University in 2008. Since then, Bunting has worked at Maple Reinders out of Mississauga, Ont., where he’s progressed from project coordinator to regional manager, his role since 2017. Bunting has managed many high-profile ICI construction projects, including the Porter Airlines Airport Terminal Expansion on Toronto Island. He has also helped Maple Reinders develop its own project management software and is a strong advocate for BIM (Building Information Modelling) on all regional projects he leads. As regional manager, he leads a team of 19 professionals with oversight of numerous projects. Bunting has passed the Professional Practice and Ethics Examination, and has qualified as a certified technician, Gold Seal Certified (GSC) project manager, and Certified in Management (CIM), and has successfully completed many other international leadership programs.

As an ambassador for the construction industry, Bunting is involved in many associations, including Chartered Managers Canada, Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists, and the Ontario General Contractors Association.

 

DEREK LOVE Vice President & Area Manager, Looby Construction

EllisDon

Stratford, Ont.

With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Carlton University, a professional certificate in PPP (Public-Private Partnerships) from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, and a Master of Law in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution from Robert Gordon University, Derek Love has emerged as an experienced leader in PPP and major civil construction projects throughout Ontario. With prior project management experience at Frecon Construction and Grupo OHL, Love joined EllisDon’s Toronto office in 2016 as a design build manager in PPP and major projects before progressing to vice-president and area manager of Looby Construction in 2019. Since then, Love has brought in Looby’s largest project yet, the French River Bridges, and has created a centralized pre-construction model to connect in-house engineering and logistics teams. To date, Love has successfully bid on and managed several multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects.

Love has been actively involved with the ORBA (Ontario Road Builders Association) and is committed to developing young Looby team members into the next generation of civil construction leaders.

 

DIEGO MANDELBAUM

Vice-President, Development

Creative Energy

Toronto, Ont.

Immediately following his graduation from UBC with a bachelor of applied science in mechanical engineering in 2011, Diego Mandelbaum began his career as a mechanical engineer at Stantec in Kelowna, B.C. During his eight-year tenure at Stantec, Mandelbaum progressed to managing principal based out of Vancouver, where he led the business development for large-scale institutional and industrial buildings. In 2019, Mandelbaum moved to Toronto to join one of his clients, Creative Energy, as the vice-president of development to open their Toronto office and lead their growth in energy infrastructure and low-carbon systems across all North American markets.

As a professional engineer and LEED-accredited professional, Mandelbaum is actively involved in supporting the industries and communities he works in, having founded the Okanagan Section for ASHRAE (American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers). He is a sought-after speaker and panelist on topics related to energy, infrastructure, and the built environment at industry association events and conferences.

 

GABE GUETTA

Founder and CEO

Salus Technologies

Vancouver, B.C.

As the former principal operator of a mid-sized, high-rise window installation company trying to navigate the ever-increasing complexities of safety compliance, Gabe Guetta – now founder & CEO of SALUS Technologies – never imagined that what proved to be a fruitless search for a solution to those challenges would result in his founding of a software company to build it from the ground up.

Headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., SALUS has fast become a prominent player in the digital safety category and an emerging thought-leader in the space, with customers across North America ranging in size from SMB to the large enterprise. Guetta credits his company’s rapid success to a committed and passionate SALUS team and to their customers, who have been and will continue to be instrumental in guiding the development of a platform that’s poised to revolutionize the business of safety.

 

GEOFF KRAHN

Engineering Lead

Krahn Group of Companies

Vancouver, B.C.

After earning a bachelor of applied science in civil engineering from UBC in 2009, Geoff Krahn began working at Krahn Group of Companies based in Vancouver, where he has since earned his master’s degree in business administration from SFU and helped grow the company into one of the largest providers of multi-disciplinary consulting firms in Western Canada. Krahn was involved in many acquisitions and mergers for the company and helped lead the successful partnership with Nexii Building Solutions, an environmentally sustainable, near zero-waste construction method. Today, Krahn is involved in the management of Krahn Group, overseeing over 150 employees across Canada to complete over five million square feet of commercial and light industrial construction, in addition to thousands of multi-family residential units each year.

Krahn has supported the local Indigenous bands in the communities he works in, having helped bring new technologies and sustainable solutions for commercial and residential land development.

 

JACQUELINE LOTZKAR

Vice-President

Pacific Metals Recycling International

Vancouver, B.C.

After achieving a bachelor of commerce in international business in 2012 and a master’s degree in global business in 2014 through the University of Victoria, Jacqueline Lotzkar began working in her family business at Pacific Metals Recycling International in Vancouver, learning every aspect of the operation. Whether it’s participating in a trade mission to India, dealing with intermodal transport between the U.S. and Canada, or influencing U.S. Congress on USMCA (United States-Mexico- Canada Agreement), Lotzkar has had an influential impact in the international metals recycling industry as it adapts to new regulations, trade barriers, and challenges related to labour, safety, and climate change.

Throughout her career, Lotzkar has been a powerful force to advance her industry on both a global and community level. She serves on the board of directors of the ISRI (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries) as a director-at-large, where she chairs and co-chairs many committees including the Trade Committee, the Woman in Recycling Council, and the Young Executive Council.

 

JENNA BROOKS

Founder and CEO

Racked Out

Toronto, Ont.

Having worked in racking sales and installation within the construction industry for nearly a decade, Jenna Brooks saw the opportunity to launch Racked Out in 2014 as its founder and CEO, with a specialization in custom designed, end-to-end warehouse optimization. Servicing the Greater Toronto Area, Racked Out offers consultation, design, installation, and maintenance programs as a full-service turnkey racking operation. As a female entrepreneur, Brooks founded Racked Out to help lead and mentor other women looking to excel in the construction industry, ensuring every department in her company has female representation who are empowered to self-manage and lead.

Through Racked Out, Brooks partnered with the COBT (Central Ontario Building Trades) Hammer Heads program to support at-risk youth with trades-based opportunities, while providing mentorship and skills training initiatives. She also supports local community groups and charities, including the SickKids Foundation and Greater Toronto Area Food Banks.

 

JIM DUNN

President

Stack Modular

After completing a double major in civil engineering and architecture from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania in 2005, Jim Dunn began working with PCL Construction in California, where he discovered his passion for offshore manufacturing. In 2008 he founded Dunn Global, a Chinesebased manufacturing firm that provided high-quality products to Canada, which he eventually bought control of in 2012 to found Stack Modular in Vancouver, which Dunn has since scaled into one of North America’s largest modular construction partners. In 2017, Bird Construction acquired 50 per cent of the business, creating a unique partnership that bridged the gap between conventional and modular construction methods. As president of Stack Modular, one of the largest modular construction partners in the industry, Jim helps lead a combined organization of over 5,000 employees with over 750,000 square feet of manufacturing space.

Through Stack Modular’s structural steel modular buildings, Dunn is successfully contributing to industry-wide issues related to labour shortages, escalating build schedules, rising environmental, safety, and sustainability standards, volatile materials costs, depleting project profitability, capital turnover, and construction risk.

 

JOE KLIPPENSTEIN

General Manager,

Concrete Products

Lafarge Canada

Winnipeg, Man.

With over 16 years of experience in the precast concrete industry, Joe Klippenstein has worked his way up from a labourer to managing various teams and projects, producing hundreds of bridge structures and residential buildings throughout Winnipeg and across Canada. He began his career at Armtec out of Winnipeg in 2005, where he progressed to managing the day-to-day operations of a precast concrete facility, earning his Concrete Testing Technician and Precast Concrete Quality Control Level 3 certifications. Klippenstein eventually transitioned to his current position as general manager of concrete products at Lafarge out of Winnipeg in 2019 with a focus on precast and hollowcore, and has recently achieved his Certificate in Management (CIM) at the University of Manitoba.

As an active member of CME (Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters), and the CPCI (Canadian Precast Concrete Institute), Klippenstein has participated in many innovative projects to benefit the industry, including an Emergency Precast Structures program, which designed and built structures to withstand the force of major natural disasters.

 

JOHN REID

Co-Founder, Chief Revenue Officer

Faber Technologies

Vancouver, B.C.

What began as an idea in a Vancouver apartment amongst a group of friends has evolved into a multi-million-dollar business that is transforming the way construction workers and tradespeople find employment. Faber Technologies, launched in 2015 by John Reid, co-founder and chief revenue officer, has now grown to a team of over 30 people across Canada and the U.S., and has placed thousands of skilled workers to advance major construction projects across North America. Reid’s career began in 2013 as a carpenter, while studying economics and political science at UBC. In 2015, he pursued his vision for Faber by enrolling in Lighthouse Labs’ coding and web development training and participating in an Alchemist Accelerator Program, where he turned his passion for the construction industry into a way that helps construction workers find meaningful employment.

Reid has participated in the CCA’s (Canadian Construction Association) CONtact innovator mentorship program to share his experiences with aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators in the Canadian construction industry.

 

JORDAN LATIMER

Operations Manager

PCL Construction

Ottawa, Ont.

Jordan Latimer joined PCL Construction in 2006, after four consecutive co-op terms, immediately after graduating from the University of Ottawa with a bachelor of applied science in civil engineering. Based out of the PCL Ottawa branch, Latimer was exposed to multiple sectors of construction and contract delivery methods, eventually progressing into a special projects manager, where he was responsible for identifying, pursuing, securing, and executing major construction and infrastructure projects. In 2015, Latimer was a winner of the PCL Robert Stollery Leadership Award, and was selected to attend PCL’s leadership course, which led to his promotion to operations manager in 2019. Latimer was also responsible for leading PCL Ottawa’s COVID-19 Action Team, ensuring staff were able to remain safe while maintaining project schedules.

As an active supporter of the construction industry, Latimer serves on the board of directors for the GCAO (General Contractors Association of Ottawa), and as a member of the Algonquin College ACCE (Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence) Program Advisory Committee and the Canam Future Leaders Program.

 

JUL MORKEN

Owner & President

Jul Construction

Kamloops, B.C.

At the age of 23, Jul Morken and his wife Carmen started Jul Construction in 2011, servicing the Kamloops, B.C. region with safe, high-quality framing and foundation solutions. As owner and president with a Red Seal Carpentry Certification, Morken works alongside his employees to lead by example and embrace their craft. As a COR Certified company, Jul supports local construction companies by providing guidance and expertise on their safety programs, offering safety subscriptions to promote education and improve the quality of work practices on construction sites.

Morken has elevated the framing and foundation industry by developing a respectful, caring, and committed team. Always looking to build his team up, he offers to sponsor all Jul employees in the ITA (Industry Training Authority) program who want to achieve their certifications. In addition, under Morken’s leadership, the Jul Construction team has offered to build a memorial for the 215 unmarked graves found at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

 

KEVIN READ

President and CEO

Nomodic

Calgary, Alta.

With a bachelor’s degree in business and entrepreneurship from Mount Royal University in 2006, Kevin Read founded Nomodic in 2012 in Calgary with a vision to “leave things better” by offering modular, off-site construction solutions that reduce waste, worksite injury and disruption within the community, while speeding up schedules and occupancy. As president and CEO, Read offers continuity throughout the life of the project, from design to installation, and has evolved Nomodic’s business model and services to provide affordable, Indigenous and emergency modular housing complexes across Canada, supporting the Rapid Response to Homelessness Initiative and Rapid Housing Initiative.

Read currently serves as the director and chair of the Canadian Council for the MBI (Modular Building Institute) and sits on the board for the University of New Brunswick’s Off-site Construction Research Centre, and he’s built many long-term volunteer relationships within the communities Nomodic helps to build.

 

KEVIN RITZMANN

Senior Director

Alltrade Industrial Contractors

Calgary, Alta.

As an Ontario Master Electrician with certifications in construction and maintenance, Kevin Ritzmann has led a wide range of renewable energy projects on over 1GW of solar, wind, battery energy storage, and substation construction across Canada, including Alberta Solar One. After completing his apprenticeship, he joined Alltrade Industrial Contractors in 2011, where he has progressed into his current role of senior director, working out of the Calgary and Ontario offices. Ritzmann oversees the project pursuit phase and strategy for the transit, energy, industrial and utility divisions, and collaborates with the business development team to expand and grow. Ritzmann has also helped create successful joint ventures, including Alltrade/CYMI, which completed the Eglinton Light Rail project.

Active in senior roles in key industry associations, Ritzmann is the director of TRACCS (Transit and Rail Association for Canadian Contractors, Maintainers, and Standards), is a member of the Future Leaders Advisory Council of ECAO (Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario), CANREA (Canadian Renewable Energy Association), and Energy Storage Canada.

 

LANDON JOHN

General Manager

Shxw’ówhámél Ventures (SVLP)

Hope, B.C.

Landon John is a proud Indigenous leader who has put in time, hard work, and dedication to get to where he is today, as general manager of Shxw’ówhámél Ventures (SVLP) construction company within the Shxw’ówhámél First Nation traditional territory in Hope, B.C. Starting his career as a labourer at 13 years old, John has progressed to multiple positions in construction with professional achievements that include working on complex infrastructure projects for Ledcor Construction in Fort McMurray, Alta., and Kinder Morgan in Burnaby and Hope, B.C. Recognized for his natural leadership skills, John was approached by Indigenous owned and operated SVLP in 2016, where he had the opportunity to make massive contributions to the Indigenous youth in the local communities with meaningful employment and training opportunities within the construction industry.

Always contributing to the health and safety of his team, John has achieved over 30 safety certificates, including Level 3 First Aid, NACE International CIP (Coating Inspector Program) Level 1 and 2, and Primary Care Paramedic and Emergency Medial Responder.

 

LAUREN LAKE

COO and Co-Founder

Bridgit

Waterloo, Ont.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in civil structural engineering from Western University in 2013, Lauren Lake co-founded Bridgit in Waterloo, Ont. with the belief that the best way to fix any problem is to understand it firsthand and from the ground up. As COO of the company bringing guidance and expertise in the architecture, engineering and construction industries, Lake helped launch Bridgit Bench, the company’s flagship product. Lake has since been named in the TechWeek 100, Forbes Manufacturing & Industry 30 Under 30, and Best Of Canada Forbes Under 30 Innovators lists.

Lake continues to promote innovation by delivering countless presentations at industry association events and conferences, including BuiltWorlds, Procore Groundbreak, the CCA’s (Canadian Construction Association) annual conference, and various trade shows focused on estimating, planning, and scheduling. Lake is also an advocate for female representation in construction and has delivered the 30th Annual Lynda Shaw Memorial Lecture for Women in Engineering at Western University.

 

LEON NG

Founder and CEO

LNG Studios

Vancouver, B.C.

Shortly after graduating from Queen’s University with a bachelor’s degree in film studies, Leon Ng founded the Real Estate Channel in 2006 in Toronto, which is the only 24/7 broadcast of residential and commercial listings across Canada. He later combined his passion for filmmaking and his experience in real estate to launch LNG Studios in 2009 in Vancouver, specializing in the pre-sale market with services that include 3D architectural visualizations, VR/AR (virtual reality/augmented reality), video production, interactive modules, and 3D printing and scanning. As founder and CEO of LNG Studios, Ng has led the creation of renderings for many iconic buildings and structures across the city, including The Shipyards, Vancouver House, and Amazon’s new head office, which were critical in receiving approvals for construction.

Ng is also a founding board member of the VR/AR Association and an advisory board member of RETECH (Real Estate Technology Association), where he accelerates the virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality markets by fostering research and education.

 

LORA MCMILLAN

Manager, Special Projects

Ledcor Construction

Toronto, Ont.

Lora McMillan has been a powerful contributor and advocate to the construction industry since she began her career as a carpenter in 2008. She is now a Gold Seal Certified superintendent at Ledcor Construction, as manager of the special projects division in Toronto, where she leads major commercial projects. McMillan began working at Ledcor in 2012 as an assistant superintendent, while earning her Construction Project Management Certificate at George Brown College. Over the past nine years, she has progressed to take on more responsibilities, due to her expertise on scheduling, policies, and procedures, and her commitment to improving Ledcor’s employee engagement, inclusion, and diversity.

Within Ledcor, McMillan is co-chair of the Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Council, and is leading the Ledcor Cares 2021 fundraising campaign for the Toronto region. She also supports her local communities and the construction industry at large by serving as a mentor in the Toronto Community Benefits Network’s NexGen Builders mentorship program, and as a member of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction.

 

MARY-STEWART TORRIE

Senior Project Manager

Graham Construction

Regina, Sask.

With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a completed PMP (Project Management Professional) designation, Mary-Stewart Torrie has worked with Graham Construction within their project management and operations divisions since 2005. As an APEGS (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan) certified professional, Torrie has amassed 16 years of industry experience in construction and mining, in roles advancing project and construction management. Notable project accomplishments include safely delivering self-executed construction on several potash expansions, working in the uranium sector, and managing a portfolio of work for two of the largest potash clients in the Canadian mining industry. Torrie has also supported the implementation of new technology, and has helped implement a new SAP system, as well as procurement toolbox software upgrades.

Torrie’s involvement in the industry includes supporting the local PMI (Project Management Institute) Chapter, the SIMSA (Saskatchewan Industrial Mining Suppliers Association), WIM (Women in Mining), the Mine Your Potential Conference, and the Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Conference.

 

MATHEW BARANOWSKI

Manager, Special Projects

PCL Construction

Edmonton, Alta.

With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Manitoba, Mathew Baranowski has been working with PCL Construction since 2010, progressing rapidly through various roles and responsibilities throughout Winnipeg and Edmonton. As the manager of special projects out of Edmonton since 2020, Baranowski leads a team of over 50, overseeing over 40 active projects and over $120 million in annual revenue. Recognized by his contribution to standardizing pre-construction guidelines to improve budgeting and decision making, Baranowski was selected into PCL’s Leadership Academy in 2021, and his team is on pace to set a record year that will exceed pre-pandemic revenues by 25 per cent.

Within the community, Baranowski and his Special Projects department have partnered with Homes For Heroes Foundation, building tiny home villages with full social support services for veterans transitioning back to civilian life. He is active in many industry associations, and guest lectures on several sustainable construction topics.

 

MIKE BROWN

Operations Manager

Matheson Constructors

Toronto, Ont.

Shortly after achieving a bachelor’s degree in technology management from Bemidji State University, Mike Brown joined Matheson Constructors in 2014 as director of business development in the Greater Toronto Area, where he has since helped the company grow from $30 million to $200 million in annual revenue. In 2018, Brown was promoted to operations manager while playing the role of project director on the $150-million Sobeys Voila Customer Fulfilment Centre, which was the first operation in North America to deploy the Ocado Smart Platform, an automated storage and retrieval system for groceries. Currently, Brown leads over 70 operations staff while providing guidance to Matheson’s technology department, where he focuses on improving collaboration and efficiency with improved processes and communication.

Within the construction industry, Brown is an advocate for mental health, supporting awareness and training for employees. He was also one of the driving forces elevating Matheson’s safety culture, helping them achieve COR safety status through the IHSA (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association).

 

OLIVIER BEAULIEU

Project Manager

Kiewit Corporation

Hope, B.C.

Since achieving his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Polytechnique Montreal in 2005, Olivier Beaulieu has worked with Kiewit Corporation for over 16 years in different roles and responsibilities, completing complex infrastructure projects based out of Québec, Newfoundland, Ontario, and to where he works currently in Hope, B.C. as a project manager. Notable projects he’s managed include the $1.7-billion Turcot Interchange; $1.6-billion Long Harbour Processing Plant; and the $760-million Transmountain Spread 5B. During his tenure, Beaulieu has been a public Kiewit representative on the projects he’s worked on, developing trusting relationships with all stakeholders to keep projects on schedule, and earning recognition from industry associations, including the AQTr (Association québécoise des transports) Public Communication Award in 2019.

Within the industry, Beaulieu is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec and the QRBHCA (Québec Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association). He also serves as a Kiewit ambassador to Polytechnique Montreal, and participates in presentations on a number of topics, including diversity in construction.

 

RITU AHUJA

Lean Integration Leader

Kinetic Construction

Vancouver, B.C.

With a Ph.D. in built environment, Dr. Ritu Ahuja is the lean integration leader at Kinetic Construction, Vancouver Branch, and is an Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) who has been instrumental in contributing to the existing knowledge of lean construction in the architectural, engineering and construction industry. Prior to joining Kinetic in 2019, Ahuja had studied and worked in India, the U.K., and across Canada, researching and advancing agile project management within organizations and communities. Successful organizational deployments include implementing Building Information Management (BIM) and Last Planner System frameworks to improve collaboration and increase efficiency on construction projects.

Continuing her pursuit for continuous improvement, Ahuja is an active member of the Vancouver LCI-CoP (Lean Construction Institute – Community of Practice), providing a forum where professionals can connect to explore lean challenges. She has also collaborated with University of Alberta to mentor young researchers in the field of lean construction and has co-authored, presented, and published research papers at international conferences.

 

RYAN O’SHEA

Vice-President

Miracon Development

Vancouver, B.C.

Shortly after achieving his master’s degree in business administration at California State Long Beach in 2014, Ryan O’Shea began working with Miracon Development in the Greater Vancouver Area as a construction manager on their very first detached single-family project in 2015. O’Shea has since progressed to vice-president of the company, where he oversees the day-to-day operations, marketing, and construction of high-profile multi-family residential projects. Under O’Shea’s leadership and commitment to customer service, Miracon has been nominated for over 60 industry association awards, and has most recently been awarded the 2021 Grand George Award for Best Customer Service in B.C. Over the next five years, Miracon is positioned to deliver over 500 new homes to B.C.’s Fraser Valley region.

As co-chair of HAVAN’s (Homebuilders Association of Vancouver) Government Relations and Development Committee and UDI’s (Urban Development Institute) Township of Langley Liaison Committee, O’Shea advocates for the residential construction industry and works with municipal, provincial, and federal governments to make housing and construction policy more transparent, predictable, and accountable.

 

SAHIL SHOOR

Partner

Gowling WLG (Canada)

Toronto, Ont.

Called to the Bar in both Ontario and B.C., Sahil Shoor is a partner with Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, where his national practice is focused on complex litigation and dispute resolution in commercial construction, real estate development, civil works, power and energy, transit/transportation (P3) and other industrial infrastructure projects. Originally hired by Gowling in 2017 as a senior litigation associate and later promoted to partner at the beginning of 2021, Shoor brings a proven record of effective advocacy as a construction lawyer before courts and arbitration panels in Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, B.C., and a number of administrative tribunals. Recently, Shoor has been recognized by The Legal 500 Canada 2021 as Rising Star in Dispute Resolution for Ontario, for his conduct of formal and informal dispute resolution proceedings.

Outside of Gowling, Shoor is an executive member of the CBA (Canadian Bar Association) Construction and Infrastructure Law Section and is a member of the executive team of the GVCA (Grand Valley Construction Association) Leaders in Construction group.

 

SAMIL JUNUZOVIC

General Manager, Construction

Innovative Trenching Solutions

Edmonton, Alta.

Samil Junuzovic relocated to Canada from Europe in 1999, not speaking a word of English, after living through a civil war in early 1990’s. As a natural leader determined to overcome his adversity, he completed a construction engineering program in 2008, then began working as a project coordinator with a top-tier Canadian general contractor, quickly progressing to project director, where he oversaw complex industrial projects over $100 million in value across Canada. In 2017, Junuzovic saw an opportunity to advance Innovative Trenching Solutions (ITS) based out of Edmonton as the general manager of construction, where ITS specializes in underground utility construction services across Canada and the U.S. Notable achievements include deploying trenchless plowing technologies to install industrial pipelines while improving safety, scheduling, cost savings, and consistent quality. Junuzovic has certifications as an engineering technologist, a national construction safety officer, and a Gold Seal construction management professional. Junuzovic is active in his community and industry, and has served as president for non-profit organizations.

 

SETH RICHARDS

President

Westview Projects

Ottawa, Ont.

After completing his Bachelor of Commerce in Real Estate Management from the University of Guelph, Seth Richards worked with small residential builders before getting hired on with PCL Constructors in the Ottawa Region. It was during this time when he honed his leadership skills, helping to oversee large ICI Projects, across a broad scope of work. This gave Richards the confidence to leave PCL and launch his own construction management business in 2016. Westview Projects is based out of Ottawa, where, as president, he leads an experienced team managing the construction of ICI and multi-unit residential projects. From the outset, Westview has adopted an approach to building focused on transparency, quality, and sustainability. Westview was an early adopter of technology to help streamline construction management processes, and to provide value to clients. Westview’s approach to building, and its growing team of talented construction professionals have helped to make it one of the fastest growing general contractors in Eastern Ontario. Richards and his partners at Westview support several local organizations including the Royal Ottawa Hospital and the Ottawa Construction Association’s Ottawa Young Construction Leaders program. Outside of the company, Richards is a proud board member for the Almonte Hospital Foundation, where he leads an initiative to bring new diagnostic imaging equipment to the community.

 

SYDNEY WANCHULAK

Impact & Sustainability Manager

NorLand

Vancouver, B.C.

Shortly after achieving her bachelor’s degree in construction management from BCIT, Sydney Wanchulak joined Vancouver-based NorLand Limited in 2018 as a proposal coordinator. She quickly worked her way up to impact and sustainability (I&S) manager in 2019, where she currently drives the company’s B Corp Certification efforts by supporting NorLand’s 16 diverse business units to build impactful ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices into their businesses. Notable achievements include helping NorLand achieve Climate Smart Certification by calculating departmental greenhouse gas emissions and developing reduction strategies. Throughout her career with NorLand, Wanchulak has developed leadership skills through the Core Leadership Series, the BPM (Bullet Proof Manager) Program, and the Women Leading the Way Program, while leading the company’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee as chairperson.

Wanchulak attends career fairs with NorLand to promote women in construction, supports CCW (Canadian Construction Women) and VRCA (Vancouver Regional Construction Association), and has presented at speaking opportunities including BCIT’s Sustainable Business Leadership program and the EcoCity World Summit.

 

YAN GUIMOND

Director of Operations and Project Services,

Montreal Region EBC

Montreal, Que.

Active in the construction industry first as a carpenter and later a superintendent, Yan Guimond began his career as a construction engineer at EBC within their Building Division, shortly after earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from ETS (École de technologie supérieure) in 2010. Since then, Guimond has progressed to the director of operations and project services for EBC’s Montreal Region, and has achieved a specialized graduate diploma in DESS construction project management. As a passionate advocate for industry advancement and innovation, Guimond has deployed a procurement structure that focuses on cost control processes, while optimizing procedures that all team members can access and contribute to.

Within EBC, Guimond is a key leader and mentor to newcomers to the construction industry, giving them opportunities to contribute to projects and build their confidence. As a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec and as a LEED Green Associate, Guimond is also actively involved in industry-related events and activities, including presentation opportunities and curriculum review within ETS’s engineering program.

 

MEET OUR JUDGING PANEL

 

Andrew Hansen

President

SitePartners

 

Donna Grant

President

VRCA

 

Jesse Unke

Vice-President, Canada

COWI

 

Leslie Doka

Director of Construction

Wright Construction

 

Nadia Todorova

Executive Director, Residential & Civil

Construction Alliance of Ontario