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Anna Lary, a master electrician and advocate in the BC Institute of Technology’s (BCIT) electrical apprenticeship program, has won the Vancouver Regional ��������ion Association’s (VRCA) 2025 Outstanding Achievement Award for Inclusive Leadership ��������ion.

Lary is founder of the .

“I’m very grateful to the VRCA and president Jeannine Martin, who was incredibly supportive,” says Lary. “Winning the award makes a big difference to me, because ConnectHER Hub is unique.

“Starting it was difficult and time-consuming; finding people and money was hard. It feels now like I’ve arrived.”

Lary’s nomination for the award had plenty of support.

Guido Wimmers, dean of the school of construction and the environment at BCIT, wrote in his letter of support, “I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the extraordinary leadership Anna brings to our institution and the broader construction industry in British Columbia.

“Anna exemplifies the spirit of inclusive leadership.”

Wimmers says her lived experience of more than 27 years in the trades has made Lary committed to shaping more inclusive pathways for underrepresented and equity-priority groups in construction.

As ConnectHER Hub project lead, Lary has built a platform to support women and gender-diverse apprentices, trades alumni and industry partners.

“The hub has become a centre of gravity for dialogue and action,” says Wimmers. “From hosting landmark events such as Equity in Electrical 2.0, Pride on the Tools and Equity in Contracting 2.0, to developing curriculum that advances long-term systems change, Anna’s work is reshaping the trades landscape in British Columbia.”

Wimmers says what makes Lary’s leadership particularly effective is her ability to bridge practice and policy.

“She is not only an educator with a master of education in curriculum and instruction, but a tradeswoman who spent 15 years on the tools,” he says.

Marita Luk, business development manager in BCIT’s school of construction and the environment, also supported Lary’s nomination in writing.

Luk wrote Lary’s commitment to excellence in trades training began early, when she was named the top trades foundation student in B.C.

Lary won the 1997 CHBA Georgie Award, “a recognition that foreshadowed the remarkable contributions she continues to make today.”

Lary’s leadership was also recognized when she won the BCIT 2024 Employee Excellence Award for Inclusivity.

“Anna Lary does more than promote equity – she embodies inclusive leadership,” wrote Luk. “She creates space for others, challenges the status quo, and raises the bar for what the construction sector can and should be. Her influence is deep, wide-reaching, and lasting.”

In a phone interview with the Journal of Commerce, Luk added, “In Anna I have not seen such a passion to support women and diverse people to take the trades and continue in them.”

Lary’s personal experience “shines through,” said Luk.

“I have seen the advance of women and diverse people in the trades in the time that she has been working in the industry and teaching at BCIT,” said Luk. “Over the years there has been an increasing number of women and diverse people in the construction trades faculty and student body at BCIT.”

In addition to being the founder of ConnectHER Hub, Lary is also a strong advocate for it.

Located on BCIT’s Burnaby campus, ConnectHER Hub is a drop-in space that supports connection, retention and advancement for women and gender-diverse people in the skilled trades by connecting them with resources and community.

The hub offers networking, mentorship and career guidance for women and gender-diverse people to help them thrive at every stage of their careers, whether they are starting their training, an apprenticing in the field or already working in their trades.

“Many are BCIT students or faculty, but the hub is also open to people from outside the institute,” says Lary. “Since the hub was founded in November 2024, we have had more than 1,500 people attend our events.”

What makes the hub unique is that it supports people “where they are” and helps them to build community, says Lary, who is a committed proponent of inclusive leadership.

“Inclusive leadership means being aware of the people you’re leading and speaking to their experience and what really matters to them,” she says.

That means finding out from employees what they need in order to do their jobs.

“There are many issues that need to be addressed before conditions for women and gender-diverse people in construction improve,” says Lary. “They include installing clean bathrooms on worksites and addressing hazing and mental health and substance abuse problems.”