Six years ago, Van Buren made history, becoming the first woman to lead the Canadian Construction Association. She has guided CCA into a new era that is digital first and inclusive. Her focus on modernization was critical in CCA’s ability to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, while advocating on behalf of the industry and continuing to deliver member value in the face of a global crisis. Under her leadership, CCA has developed an expanded focus on innovation and best practices. One of the most significant achievements of her tenure has been the review of CCA’s governance model, and the restructuring that allowed the association to be more nimble in addressing member issues.
Archives: Most Influential People
Calgary-born Douglas Cardinal, who has Blackfoot ancestry, has become a forerunner of philosophies of sustainability, green buildings and ecologically-designed community planning. His architecture springs from his observation of Nature and its understanding that everything works seamlessly together. Cardinal’s has countless professional achievements including 20 honorary doctorates, Gold Medals of architecture in Canada and Russia, and an award from United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO) for best sustainable village. He was also titled an Officer of the Order of Canada and was awarded the declaration of being “World Master of Contemporary Architecture” by the International Association of Architects.
Lomax is a member of the Gitxsan Nation and grew up in Terrace, B.C. He currently serves as president and CEO of First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC). Earlier this year, Lomax announced a partnership with Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to form a $100 million loan participation agreement with the FNBC for enabling infrastructure in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. The funds will ensure that Indigenous communities will have access to affordable and flexible financing to unlock enabling infrastructure development that can support improved living conditions, new economic opportunities and housing.
Miller’s success as president of F.A.S.T. First Aid & Survival Technologies and executive for JJM Construction is just part of her story. She has dedicated years of service to the industry as a whole. She was a Canadian Construction Association board member for nine years and served as board chair in 2012. She was the founding director and chair of the BC Construction Safety Alliance and was the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association’s first female chair. And earlier this month, F.A.S.T launched a dedicated line of women’s high visibility safety clothing which Miller says is needed as more women enter the industry.
As chief information officer for PCL, Bryant is responsible for the strategic and innovative advancement of information technology within the PCL family of companies, the nation’s largest builder. He has more than 30 years of IT expertise, having served in the financial services, software, manufacturing, and AEC industries. In 2019, Canadian CIO of the year for the private sector category, by the Information Technology Association of Canada. He is helping lead the use of emerging technology to solve construction’s biggest challenges.
Brodie is a construction tech phenom. Her company, Bridgit, develops the leading web- and mobile-based workforce planning solutions for the construction industry. Its flagship product, Bridgit Bench, has helped revolutionize construction workforce management, assisting mid-large construction firms streamline core operations, match the right people with the right projects, and forecast demands. Founded in 2012, Bridgit is a Series B company, having raised over $43.5 million in funding from investors like Camber Creek, Export Development Canada, Salesforce Ventures, Storm Ventures, and more.
Connell is a fearless leader with an impressive track record in the construction industry, dedicated to breaking barriers and promoting diversity. As Senior Vice President of Development and Strategy at Clark Builders, she drives strategic positioning, marketing, brand management, external engagement, revenue management, growth initiatives, and preconstruction services. Passionate about fostering teamwork, Connell nurtures individual excellence and camaraderie among colleagues. Actively involved in Calgary’s community, she volunteers and serves as a co-chair and trustee for the Calgary Construction Association’s education fund, former director on the Calgary Construction Association, a founding member of the former Women in Construction committee and on YWCA boards. As Clark Builders celebrates its 50th anniversary, Connell’s leadership has maintained their commitment to excellence, innovation, and superior service. Recent achievements include formalizing plans for Environmental Social Governance, Social Procurement, achieving CCAB’s PAR Bronze certification, and advancing diversity initiatives.
Paynter is showing builders how data and technology can help transform cities and solve the nation’s biggest problems. As building transformation & adaptive reuse leader, principal, for global design firm Gensler, he led the development of a tool for rapid assessment of existing office building stock for ESG performance and conversion into housing. This technology has most notably been implemented in Calgary to create thousands of new housing units. This approach has now spread to other major cities, including Toronto, New York and San Francisco
In 2018, Gray became the first woman to serve as CEO of SkilledTradesBC, a provincial government agency that works to advance B.C.’s trades training system. She has helped lead the organization through monumental changes, including the recent implementation of skilled trades certification. Gray and her team’s strategy appears to be working. Last year, the province saw a record 41,000 apprenticeship registrations. Gray also serves as chair of the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship, as an executive committee member of Canadian Apprenticeship Forum.
A respected champion for innovations in wood design and increases in the use of mass timber systems, Newfield’s work has pushed the height limits of traditional wood framed structures both in practice and through code development. As a principal at RJC Engineers, he also leads highrise and developer-oriented projects. He is a member of the BC Advisory Group on Advanced Wood Design Solutions, co-authoring guidelines that support code changes for tall wood buildings. He has authored several guides, given numerous presentations, and provided support for Michael Green’s Tall Wood Study, and FP Innovations CLT Guideline and Tall Wood Guideline.
Decades ago, Liviniuk was sent home from the jobsite after being told she couldn’t make it in the industry. Thankfully, she didn’t listen. Today, she is one of the industry’s brightest stars. In addition to her role as digital advancement executive for North American EPC firm Zachry Group (which purchased her startup in 2021), Liviniuk is an outspoken voice in the industry. She regularly offers up her construction knowledge as a keynote speaker and podcast guest. She has also built a sizable LinkedIn following with her insightful musings on leadership and technology.
Nicholson and Bryson, principals at MAKE projects, have elevated the project management business to oversee $2 billion in work. MAKE was founded with a vision to improve the effectiveness of public and private sector clients by enabling more efficient use of their capital in their facility and infrastructure investments. The business is now a key player in a diverse range of sectors, including education, healthcare, recreation, commercial, residential and transportation. MAKE’s industry peers say its leadership has demonstrated adaptability and strategic foresight in navigating these many complex projects.
As area operations manager for Flatiron Construction, Flores has become a leading figure in Central and Western Canada. He has overseen the successful completion of numerous major projects in transportation, hydroelectric dams, aviation, mining, tunnels, and underground sectors. Octavio has also demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion through his support for small businesses, young leaders, and First Nations communities, negotiating significant spending agreements exceeding $36 million in the Yukon Territories alone. His influence extends to policy advocacy, board representation, and philanthropy, raising over $1 million for charitable causes.
After a close call at one of his sites, Guetta decided to embark on a bold journey to revolutionize construction safety. He and SALUS’ team have built a cloud-based platform where workers can submit critical safety documentation directly from the field – providing organizations with real-time visibility and actionable insights into their crew’s safety compliance. Since its inception, SALUS has made safety more accessible for over 500 customers and 80,0000 field workers. Last year, the Government of Canada and PacifiCan granted SALUS $2.6 million. This funding came in addition to the $10.5 million in Series A funding that SALUS raised over 2023. Guetta says he plans to use this funding to push product innovation for SALUS customers and to expand SALUS’s reach to help more businesses.
Since McKibbon joined Bird Construction in 2017 as COO and became CEO in 2019, the general contractor has soared. He led the transformation of Bird towards collaborative contracting and increasing self-perform operations. He also oversaw massive mergers and acquisitions including Stuart Olson and Trinity Communications. Under his leadership, Bird’s share price has risen from historic lows. He has also led much of the business’s cultural transformation, increasing its emphasis on safety and innovations in technology.
Domagalski’s journey saw him rise from a young entrepreneur selling software to becoming CEO of Tundra Process Solutions, where he expanded the company from 14 to 150 employees and increased revenue from $8 million to $150 million. Embracing philanthropy as a core value, he redirected a portion of profits to charitable causes, fostering a culture of giving back. His impactful leadership caught the attention of Wajax Corp, where he now serves as CEO, infusing the 164-year-old industrial giant with a philanthropic ethos.
Arriving in Canada in 2012, Roberts faced the challenge of sourcing skilled workers for his construction contracting company. He decided to attack the problem himself, founding A Few Good Lads. By leveraging his overseas network, Roberts initiated a recruitment strategy that not only addressed the labor shortage but also created a pathway to help immigrants to achieve their Canadian dream. The company also provides mentorship and sponsorship opportunties to help newcomers up their skills and stay in the country.
Corneil is a self-described serial entrepreneur with an extensive background in hands-on deconstruction, reclaimed wood craftsmanship, Passive House construction. He flipped his first house with his father at the age of 16, sparking a fascination with crafting old, weathered projects into new, fresh and well-built homes and spaces. After founding and running Naturally Crafted Contracting for six years, Corneil decided to tackle the demolition industry. His company, Unbuilders, is now legendary for dismantling buildings and maximizing salvage efforts.
Affordable housing is one of Canada’s biggest challenges and Gefucia is utilizing expertise from one of the nation’s most experienced builders to help solve it. He leads EllisDon Community Builders (EDCB), a division formed within the EllisDon group of companies, which provides development management services for clients who wish to deliver affordable and supportive housing. EDCB offers a holistic and comprehensive approach that highlights the role the private sector has to play in creating homes for Canadians.
Green began her construction career as a red seal industrial mechanic millwright and now serves as Skills Ontario’s director of competitions and business development. Each year, Green and her team orchestrate Canada’s largest skilled trades event, the Skills Ontario Competition, providing much needed recognition for thousands of aspiring tradespeople. Her work has garnered her numerous awards, including the Colleges Ontario Premier’s Award, WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women Award, Universal Women’s Network Women of Inspiration Award, and the Conestoga College Alumni of Distinction Award.