SWWB Conversations - Honour the Work
She Wears Work Boots
Angela Coldwell is an award winning chemistry and physics teacher. She founded Honour The Work as a result of conversations with industry members who shared how K-12 students and adults generally aren't aware of how rewarding and diverse, skilled trades and AEC careers can be. Combining a love of hands-on learning, educational research, and projected workforce needs, the idea of grades 1-6 STEAMS Kits was born. Honour The Work serves to spark interest in young learners through books and building activities; connect youth and adults to useful resources through their website; and tell the...
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SWWB Conversations - Build a Dream
She Wears Work Boots
Based in South-Western Ontario, Build a Dream is an organization that delivers specialized programs to encourage and empower women and girls to explore careers where women are under-represented, while also working to create a gender-balanced workforce and change global perspectives on women’s contribution to society. McKenna Goodwin is a Red Seal Endorsed General Carpenter. She currently works for Build a Dream as a Career Coach, working directly with tradeswomen and industry partners to improve the recruitment, retention and support of tradeswomen. Pinky Sabhnani is a dedicated Project...
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Episode 51 - Michelle McCollum
She Wears Work Boots
Michelle McCollum has over 30 years of experience in construction. Her career started in Edinburgh, Scotland where she spent 15 years working in municipal government. In 2008, she and her family moved to Canada. Today, she is Vice-President, Facilities and Sustainability, for George Brown College where she leads the development and deployment of the sustainability strategy, campus planning and the evolution of the college’s physical footprint. Michelle is a highly skilled public sector leader and social responsibility advocate. At the start of her career she was consistently the only...
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Episode 50 - McKenna Goodwin
She Wears Work Boots
McKenna Goodwin is a Red Seal Endorsed General Carpenter from Ottawa, Ontario. She started her apprenticeship framing houses at age 16 and completed her apprenticeship with UBCJA Local 93 at age 21. Today, McKenna is a Career Coach for the non-profit organization Build a Dream and works directly with tradeswomen and industry partners to improve the recruitment, retention and support of tradeswomen. She is also the Vice-Chair of the technical committee developing the CSA Z301 Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility in Apprenticeship Programs standard. Find more of McKenna and her work...
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Episode 49 - Camryn Malaney
She Wears Work Boots
Camryn Malaney grew up in a family deeply rooted in construction. Hailing from Buffalo, New York, she inherited her passion for the industry from her father, who has been working in development throughout her whole life. Today, she is the Director of Construction for Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota. The role allows her to work in her deep-seated passion for community service and allows her to be not just a builder of structures, but a builder of dreams and a catalyst for positive change. Her commitment to Habitat for Humanity reflects her dedication to helping others and creating pathways...
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SWWB Conversations - Aecon-Golden Mile
She Wears Work Boots
Adrienne Clarke and Jami Snow return for a different kind of episode. Adrienne and Jami have worked together at Aecon just over a year leading an innovative joint venture called Aecon-Golden Mile. AGM was created to expand economic opportunities for residents of the Greater Golden Mile that are facing barriers to the labour market. In that short time they've each and both been active parts of some of Aecon's coolest initiatives and are here to share more about that and the unique dynamic of their working partnership. Find more information about AGM here:
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Episode 48 - Dee Durant
She Wears Work Boots
Dee Durant is an electrical apprentice working towards her 309A Construction Maintenance electrical license. She is also a KickAss careers ambassador, a co-host of a talk show called Building Resilience on YouTube, and a former Weston scholar. Through her work and volunteerism, she encourages others to consider a career in the skilled trades, understand and end stigmas, and help to create a better workplace environment for all employed within the skilled trades. Dee has worked in a variety of different electrical trade environments and sectors, from the world's largest nuclear power plant to...
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Episode 47 - Jami-Lyn Snow
She Wears Work Boots
Jami Snow has been working in construction for 11 years. Starting out as a temporary ground person with IBEW, she worked as a labourer on a solar farm, assembling a-frames & installing solar panels. Over time, her passion for the industry grew as she completed heavy equipment training and got her AZ license. In 2019, she saw a job posting for Aecon Women in Trades and joined the program. She's been with Aecon ever since working in a few different roles and today is the Senior Field Supervisor with the Aecon Golden Mile Joint Venture.
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Episode 46 - Cheyanne Hammell
She Wears Work Boots
Cheyanne Hammell is the Manager of Special Projects for PCL Constructors, Toronto. In 2007 she graduated from Mohawk College with an Architectural Technology diploma in Construction Management. Today, with more than 18 years of experience in the construction industry, she is a visionary leader, driven and inspired by the thrill of construction and seeing the outcomes of hard work. She is a member of PCL Toronto’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team, leading community involvement initiatives with not-for-profit organizations and encourages young women to explore career opportunities in...
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SWWB Conversations - Jamie McMillan
She Wears Work Boots
Jamie McMillan became an ironworker in 2002 when women only represented 2% of ironworkers across Canada and the United States. In 2012 she founded KickAss Careers, a grassroots initiative creating awareness and encouraging those of all ages and walks of life to consider careers in underrepresented occupations through school and community outreach. Jamie travels a lot, to speak all across North America. Her efforts have gained international notoriety for opening doors and minds to the possibilities of well-paid careers in skilled trades and technology sectors. But one of my most favourite...
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