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TORONTO – Every year the Canadian Association of Women in ��������ion (CAWIC) recognizes individuals and organizations whose leadership, innovation and commitment to equity are transforming the industry.

This year’s recipients are no exception.

They “exemplify the strength, creativity and perseverance that continue to redefine what inclusion and excellence look like across Canada’s worksites, boardrooms and classrooms,” states a release from the association. “Their stories reflect more than individual achievements. Together, they demonstrate a shared commitment to building a construction industry where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, lead and thrive.”

The following are this year’s winners.

Corporate Member of the Year: The Home Depot Canada

Across Canada, the company has hosted Women in ��������ion panel events that bring tradeswomen, leaders and students together to share experiences and career pathways.
Through their advocacy and support, the company has strengthened community ties, expanded CAWIC’s reach and inspired others in the industry to take similar action, the release explains.

DEI Excellence Award: Stephanie Morand, community engagement manager, EllisDon

Morand began her career as a structural steel welder and later moved into safety management before discovering her passion for community engagement. Her work now focuses on ensuring equity and access are integral to every project she leads.

Her current project maintains a 30 per cent participation from equity-seeking groups. Morand organizes Women in ��������ion Week events, ensures free menstrual products are available on jobsites, and supported the creation of Vancouver’s first Women On Site chapter.

Emerging Leader: Gina Chorna, project manager, Ledcor ��������ion

Chorna completed her engineering degree while managing infrastructure projects, showing the determination and focus that define her career. She has played a key role in the Edmonton Capital Line South Extension design-build pursuit, where her ability to co-ordinate diverse teams and manage competing priorities led to exceptional collaboration. She also contributed to the Edmonton Valley Line West RFP and the Garneau Redevelopment for the University of Alberta.

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Industry Leader: Nour Hachem, president and founder, Build a Dream

For more than 20 years, Hachem has been a leading advocate for inclusive education and employment systems in the skilled trades. Through Build a Dream, she has challenged outdated perceptions of who belongs in technical and leadership roles, creating new career pathways for thousands of Canadians. Under her leadership, Build a Dream has grown into a national organization.

Student of the Year: Madison Kidd, mechanical engineering, Ontario Tech University

Kidd’s interest in construction began at home while working on small projects with her father. Her first professional experience came through Habitat for Humanity, where she helped build affordable housing. At Ontario Tech University, Kidd revitalized the Women in Engineering Club and served as its president. She founded an ASME student chapter, led environmental cleanup initiatives, and organized study sessions to help her peers succeed, CAWIC notes.

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Volunteer of the Year: Dunya Lackovic, CAWIC founding member

Nearly 20 years after helping to establish CAWIC, Lackovic remains an active volunteer and advocate for women in the field. As a founding member and the organization’s first awards committee director, she helped design a program that continues to award roughly $20,000 in student bursaries each year.

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President’s Award: Lisa Laronde, chief transformation officer, Ramudden Global

As chief transformation officer at Ramudden Global, Laronde leads with vision, authenticity and a focus on creating workplaces where equity supports excellence, CAWIC states. Within CAWIC, her contributions have been instrumental. She has strengthened strategic partnerships, expanded the scholarship program and championed initiatives such as WOMEN Building Canada, which highlights the achievements and perspectives of women across the industry. Her guidance has supported CAWIC’s growth, credibility and influence across the sector.