As we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, we honor the achievements of women worldwide. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, calls for urgent progress in gender equality. At Modern Niagara, we proudly stand with the women in our organization and across the sector, celebrating their expertise, dedication, and vital contributions.
In honour of IWD, we are proud to spotlight the Women’s Affinity Group. The group’s mission is to address and bridge the challenges women face in both the field and office environments by working towards mentorship opportunities, promoting discussions around work-life balance, and engaging in advocacy. Through education and empowerment, the Women’s Affinity Group seeks to create a workplace where women’s contributions are recognized, celebrated and their voices lead the way towards a more equitable future.
We spoke with a few members of the Women’s Affinity Group to learn more about the group’s purpose, share their experiences, and highlight the group’s latest initiatives and achievements.
- Taylor Skirda, DEI Specialist
- Jason Crosbie, Director of National Field Operations
- Vanessa Palermo, People & Culture Intern
Can you tell us about the Women’s Affinity Group at Modern Niagara? What is its mission and purpose?
Taylor Skirda: The Women’s Affinity Group at Modern Niagara is a space for employees who identify as Women and allies to come together to share knowledge, experiences, and work on positive change towards creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace, both in the field and office environments.
Jason Crosbie: The high-level mission of our affinity group is to provide an opportunity for like-minded people in the same industry to get together. While we aim to enact real change, it’s a gradual process. The group focuses on understanding challenges and brainstorming possible solutions, then empowering the right conversations within the organization.
How does the group support and empower women at Modern Niagara?
Taylor Skirda: The group provides a safe space to have discussions around challenges specific to women in the workplace and the construction industry. The group supports each other when needed, provides opportunities to Modern Niagara employees to be engaged in initiatives that serve to bring awareness to gender inequities and work towards positive change.
Jason Crosbie: Although the group is still in its infancy, we have a good representative group and are looking to get more field representation. We’re honing in on higher-level objectives like training and supporting National Women’s Day. We’re also planning a women’s construction panel to bring in female leaders from the industry to share their stories. This year, we’re focusing on outreach to understand what our women employees need and how we can help.
How can men and allies in the industry support women entering the field?
Jason Crosbie: Men and allies need to think bigger and understand that there is a problem with gender diversity in the construction industry. With women making up only 10% of the industry and 4% working on tools, we need to address the barriers that prevent women from joining. Male allies should work to understand these challenges and support efforts to make the industry more welcoming.
Vanessa Palermo: It starts with listening to women’s experiences. Speaking up when they see bias, advocating for equal opportunities, and creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued makes a huge difference. Small actions add up.
How has being part of the Women’s Affinity Group impacted your experience at Modern Niagara?
Vanessa Palermo: It’s been a game changer. Having a space to connect with women and allies, share experiences, and uplift each other has made me feel more supported and empowered. It’s also helped create real change within the company, which is exciting to be a part of.
What changes do you hope to see in the industry for women specifically in the future?
Jason Crosbie: I hope to see a lot of small changes that make a big difference, such as better parking arrangements and buddy groups. While harassment and washroom facilities have improved, we need to go beyond checking boxes and truly want to make the industry more inclusive. This involves understanding why the numbers are still low and addressing attitudes on-site.
Vanessa Palermo: More women in leadership roles, more mentorship opportunities, and workplaces that truly embrace diversity.
