Alexia MacLeod will breakthe glass ceiling this September when she is named chair of the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA), the first female ever toassume the role.
Her response to this feat is genuine andmatter of fact:“This isn’t going to be one and done,” she told the Daily Commercial News.
“I love this industryand I want other young girls, middle-aged women,to come in and say,‘Yes,this is my career path,and this is what I’m meant to do for the rest of my life.’”
MacLeod isa co-owner and president of Somerville Construction, ConsultingandProject Management. She beganworking at the firm in 2004 as an administrative assistantand came to the company with eight years ofmanagement experience which she gained working for The Sports Medicine Specialists and team physicians for the Toronto MapleLeafs.
AtSomervilleher primary role is managing the company’s financial operations and she also co-ordinates business development. After a successful bid and project award, she serves as controller and financial administrator.
MacLeodhas been a member of the OGCA board formore than10 years and saysshe has seen the industry evolve, butthere’sstill work to be doneto bring more women into the industry, intobigger corporate roles and ontomoreboards.
“I am hoping by being in this position and hopefully having more presence and a bigger voice in the organization that we can reach more people, more women in particular,” she says.
“For me, it’s not even about bringingwomen to the table.We’rehere.We have been doing this. I think nowit’smore about education.Howdo we educate men in their position to help grow within their companies?
“Forwomen,in particular,weneed to have different negotiating tools.We’realready coming in with a different package.”
OGCA president Giovanni Cautillo saysMacLeodis a natural fit for board chairand her impactwill be felt in many ways.
“She was very much a pioneer in making sure that women had a place at the table and now women are running the table,”he describes.“Sitting on the board of all men, she stands out.When she does speak her mind, the place goes quiet.She’sseen as someone who providestimelyinput and provides it in a very refreshing way.Alexia isgoing to makea hugedifference; she haschanged the way the board configuration is being looked at.
“This is just the beginning of a new chapter for the OGCA.”
MacLeod succeeds Greg Brokenshire, president of Alberici Constructors Canadian division.
“Greg has been a wonderful chair,” MacLeod adds. “I hold him in such high regard, and I am so happy to be his successor.”
OGCA WIC gala introduces awards
Before MacLeod officiallytakes the helm as chairlater this year,she willtakepart in the OGCA’son May 21from 5 to 11 p.m. atUniversalEventSpacein Vaughan, Ont.
Since itsinceptionin 2023, the event has been“more of a crescendo than an evolution,” MacLeod states. “The industry was just so excited from the get-go.It is an environment that both men and women can come to.”
This year’s event features speakers Leslie Dibling, director of organizational development at AMC Services, andAgnes Watkinson, founder of AMC Services.
With 19 years of experience in the 鶹ýӳ industry, Dibling brings operational insight into leading people and performance in complex, high-stakes environments, the OGCA notes. Her focus includes designing and implementing programs that build workforce capabilities and align with key business objectives.
Watkinson brings over a decadeof experience in workforce planning, HRtransformationandorganizational developmentacross industries.She helps organizationsoptimizestructures, processes,peopleand culture to achieve strategic goals.
In addition to speakers and networking opportunities, a first is taking place at the gala, in the form of three awardsthatrecognizeoutstanding women who are making a remarkable impact acrosstheindustry.
“We wanted to incorporate a way to give back,” MacLeod says.
Cautillo echoes her comments,statingthe eventon the wholeis meant to change the landscape of 鶹ýӳ.
“The gala is our focal point for women in 鶹ýӳ,”hestates,“butitrequires all people in 鶹ýӳ to understand the necessity to move in that direction.
“I am putting out an APB, for women in the industry that want to make a difference.You’realready making a difference in your own companies, by joining the OGCA you are making a difference for the industryon thewhole.
“There’s a seat at every table for them.”
For more information or to get tickets
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