Building Your Story
Building Your Story is a podcast that shares the stories of successful women in the construction industry. Hosted by Diane Depardon D'Agostino, it highlights the experiences and achievements of women working in a traditionally male-dominated field. The podcast aims to inspire and empower listeners by showcasing diverse career paths and personal journeys within construction.
Episodes
Episode 21 - Cara Grant
Send us Fan MailFrom Ballet Barre to Construction Site: Cara Grand's JourneyCara Grand’s journey from ballerina to construction leader is a masterclass in resilience and purpose. Discover how her passion for learning fueled a career shift from dance to managing billion-dollar projects. Cara shares insights on leadership, balancing motherhood, and breaking barriers in male-dominated fields. He
Episode 20 - Nancy Weinman
Send us Fan MailFrom Shyness to Leadership: Nancy Weinman's Journey in ArchitectureJoin Nancy Weinman as she shares her inspiring journey from a shy child to a leading architect and construction manager. Discover her experiences in a male-dominated industry and her dedication to mentoring future women leaders.Key topics:Early influences and dreams in art and architectureOvercoming challenges
Episode 19 - Laura Korte
Send us Fan Mail An Unplanned Path to Construction Leadership In this episode, Laura Korte, Vice President of Construction at VR Mechanical, shares her unique career journey. Starting with aspirations of becoming a doctor, Laura's path changed drastically after taking a temporary job in construction. Discover how her background in health sciences unexpectedly led to a passion for construction
Episode 18 - Nour Hachem
Send us Fan MailBreaking Barriers: Empowering Women in Male-Dominated Fields with Nour HachemIn this episode, Diane interviews Nour Hachem, President and Founder of the national not-for-profit 'Build A Dream'. Nour talks about her background and childhood and moving from Lebanon to Canada. She shares her journey from aspiring to be a human rights lawyer to discovering her passion for the
Episode 17 - Dianne Finnigan
Send us Fan MailEmpowering Women in Skilled Trades: Diane Finnegan's JourneyIn this episode, Diane Finnegan, CEO of The Dirty Seahorse, shares her inspiring journey from being a retail sales manager to founding a company that makes women's workwear for skilled trades. Diane describes how her daughter's challenges in finding suitable workwear sparked the idea, leading her to create a
Episode 16 - Pat Duggan
Send us Fan MailBreaking Barriers: Pat's Journey in Construction and LeadershipIn this episode, Pat, shares her inspiring journey from Southeast London to becoming the VP of Major Projects for Bird in Vancouver. Starting with a childhood dream of becoming a policewoman, she pivoted to the construction industry, building a successful 35-year career spanning multiple countries. Pat discusses he
Episode 15 - Renae Sams
Send us Fan MailRenae Sams: Building a Path for Women in ConstructionIn this episode, Diane interviews Renae Sams, founder and executive director of Build-Her.org, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women in construction. Renee shares her journey from dreaming of working for NASA to becoming a leader in the construction industry. She details the challenges she faced, including overcoming imposter
Episode 14 - Jessica Luczycki
Send us Fan MailJessica Luczycki: Redefining Construction Administration Through Part3In this episode, we meet Luczycki, Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer at Part3. Jessica shares her journey from aspiring teacher to tech entrepreneur in the architectural and construction industry. She discusses her educational background, initial career at EllisDon, and transition into architectural contract
Episode 13 - Chelsea Fenton
Send us Fan MailChelsea Fenton: Pioneering Women in ConstructionIn this episode, Chelsea Fenton (@thatunionlaborer), a 32-year-old union laborer from Western Massachusetts, shares her inspiring journey from aspiring to be a firefighter to excelling in the construction industry. Chelsea discusses the challenges she overcame, including being denied entry into the apprenticeship program twice before
Episode 12 - Mercedes Byers
Send us Fan MailThe Journey of Mercedes Byers: From environmental science to co-founding a thriving sustainability consulting business.In this episode, Mercedes Byers shares her inspiring journey from her early dreams of becoming an actor to establishing herself in the sustainability consulting field. She talks about her childhood, academic pursuits, and how a serendipitous environmental science c
Episode 11 - Dee Durant
Send us Fan MailDee Durant: From Electrical Apprentice to Trade Advocate - A Journey Through Challenges and TriumphsIn this episode, Dee Durant, a 24-year-old electrical apprentice from southern Ontario, shares her inspiring journey from childhood aspirations of becoming a meteorologist to finding her calling in the electrical trade. Despite facing challenges like severe anxiety and ADHD, Dee shed
Episode 10 - Amy Marks
Send us Fan MailBeyond the Nickname: Amy Marks' Journey of hard work, perseverance and kindness.In this episode, Diane welcomes Amy Marks, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Compass Data Centers, often known as the 'Queen of Prefab.' Amy shares her journey from a turbulent upbringing in a construction family business to becoming a leading figure in the construction and prefabric
Episode 9 - Ashleigh Kaliszuk
Send us Fan MailAshley Kalizuk: From Crane Operator to Advocate for Women in ConstructionIn this episode, Ashley Kalizuk shares her journey from a crane operator to a photographer and an instructor in the construction industry. Reflecting on her career's challenges and triumphs, Ashley discusses her early days working in construction, the unexpected path to her Red Seal endorsement, and her t
Episode 8 - Annik Forristal
Send us Fan MailAnnik Forristal's Journey from Engineering to Legal Expertise in ConstructionIn this episode, Diane welcomes Annik Forristal, a Toronto-based lawyer specializing in municipal and construction law. Annik shares her inspiring journey, from her early fascination with engineering during a 'Take Your Kid to Work Day' experience, to her career in the law industry. She disc
Episode 7 - Lindsay Chester
Send us Fan MailEmpowering the Next Generation: Lindsay Chester's Advocacy for Young Women in Skilled TradesIn this episode, Lindsay Chester, the Young Women's Initiatives Program Manager at Skills Ontario, shares her journey and mission to promote skilled trades as viable career options for young women. Starting as a dream to become a teacher, Lindsay shifted her career path and found h
Bonus - Women In Construction Week
Send us Fan MailIn this special episode for Women in Construction Week (March 2-8 2025), we highlight some of the inspiring stories shared by women on this podcast. Hosted by Diane, this episode brings together past guests including Leslie, Gelare, Mi, Morgan, Sabrina, and Lisa to share their unique journeys, experiences, and challenges in the construction field.They share their journeys into the
Episode 6 - Lisa Laronde
Send us Fan MailTrailblazing Women in Construction: A Candid Conversation with Lisa LarondeIn this insightful discussion, Diane interviews Lisa Laronde, Chief Transformation Officer for Ramudden Global, who shares her journey from finance to leading a major construction company. Lisa recounts her transition into the construction industry, the obstacles she faced as a woman in a male-dominated fiel
Episode 5 - Sabrina Walti
Send us Fan MailPioneering in Construction: From Rugby Fields to Infrastructure Projects with SabrinaIn this episode, Diane interviews Sabrina, a civil engineer from Zurich, Switzerland. Sabrina, who works in consulting and project management for infrastructure projects, shares her journey from growing up in an architect family to becoming a significant figure in the construction industry. She dis
Episode 4 - Morgan Bosch
Send us Fan MailBreaking Barriers: Morgan Bosch's Journey as a Crane Operator In this episode, Morgan Bosch, a 28-year-old mobile crane operator from Edmonton, Canada, joins the podcast to share her inspiring journey. Starting in the industry at 18, Morgan transitioned from aspiring to be a teacher to thriving in a blue-collar role. She recalls the pivotal role her father played in introducin
Episode 3 - Gelare Danaie
Send us Fan MailFrom Childhood Dreams to Architectural Mastery: An Interview with Gelare DanaieIn this episode, Diane interviews Gelare Danaie, a Toronto-based architect originally from Iran. Gelare shares her fascinating journey from childhood dreams of changing environments to becoming a successful architect. She discusses her early inspiration, her diverse professional experiences across multip
Episode 2 - Mi Kim
Send us Fan MailEmpowering Diversity: Mi Kim's Journey in the Construction IndustryIn this episode, Mi Kim shares her unique journey from being a third culture kid to a successful consultant in the construction industry. Born in Korea, raised in Honduras, and educated in Canada, Kim talks about the challenges and triumphs of navigating these diverse backgrounds. She discusses her career path
Episode 1 - Leslie Merrithew
Send us Fan MailFrom Arctic Beginnings to Global Projects: Leslie's StoryIn this podcast episode, Diane interviews her long-time friend and mentor, Leslie Merrithew, a successful civil engineer in the transportation construction industry. Leslie recounts her journey from dreaming of being a math teacher to navigating a unique career path. She discusses the importance of having champions in he
Episode 0 - Who am I ?
Send us Fan MailWelcome to the debut episode of Building Your Story podcast, hosted by Diane. Diane introduces herself, sharing her background as a project manager in the construction industry, her journey from Paris to the far north of Canada, and her work across various settings over the last nine years. She reflects on the challenges and opportunities she has faced as a woman in construction an
