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Series 5 - Women In Trades
This season we talk with accomplished women who are killing it in the trades! Whether you're considering joining the field or are just curious about working in traditionally male-dominated fields, you'll love what these inspiring guests have to share.
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
Lindsay Kearns
OUTREACH COORDINATOR, BCCWITT​
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(250) 661-6818
linkedin.com/in/linksay-kearns/
Insta: @bccwitt
BCCWITT.ca
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Our first guest is the Outreach Coordinator for BC Centre for Women in Trades, Lindsay Kearns! Her work focuses on outreach, leadership and event coordination for the growing network of tradespeople from underrepresented groups across BC. Lindsay is a Red Seal journey electrician and a proud IBEW Local 230 member.
This week Brandy is excited to speak with Breena Jackson, Instructor in the Joinery Program at BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology). Hear about Breena's journey as a woman in the trades, from education through to experiences, accomplishments, and what's next!
Kelly Kienleitner
CHIEF INSTRUCTOR, EJTC​
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(604) 571-6540
linkedin.com/in/kelly-kienleitner-rse-pid1537376a
ejtc.org
Continuing our Women in Trades series, Brandy welcomes Kelly Kienleitner of the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC) to the podcast. She's an accomplished tradeswoman with two Red Seal programs (motor winder and electrician), an innovative educator (teaching degree/advanced certification), speaker, Métis and mentor.
Nicole Wiet
PRESIDENT, BC TRADESWOMEN SOCIETY​
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bctradeswomensociety.ca
BCCWITT.ca
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This week the President of BC Tradeswomen Society, Nicole Wiet, joins Brandy for the latest episode of Women In Trades! Nicole is a GGCLC 2022 Alumni, Elevator Mechanic and an inspiring mentor and advocate for women in the trades.
Jamie McMillan
FOUNDER, KICKASS CAREERS​
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kickasscareers.ca
(519) 771-1858
Insta: @kickass_careers
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Brandy interviews Jamie McMillan, founder and primary spokesperson of KickAss Careers. She is a Motivational Speaker, Journeyman Ironworker, Apprentice Boilermaker, Outreach Specialist, Author, Visionary and Advocate for Skilled Trades, Technology, Mental Health, Homelessness and Youth.
Brandy interviews Gabrielle Herle - OHS Canada’s 2022 Top 25 Under 40! She's the Healthy & Safety Coordinator for Teck Resources, a Journey Red Seal Carpenter and has her Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (COHS) with a complement of National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO).
Natasha Martines
WOMEN BUILDING FUTURES
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linkedin.com/in/marzevolution
womenbuildingfutures.ca
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From Women Building Futures we have Natasha Martynes! Brandy talks to the Manager of External Relations about her journey through her own plumbing business to helping other women follow their flutter!
Retention can be a challenge for women entering traditionally male-dominated fields, and this coach and visionary leader is working to change that. This week meet Jill Prescott, who is inspiring women to own their destiny without sacrificing who they are in her program: Women in Trades Success Training
Hilary Peach
BOILER SAFETY OFFICER, AUTHOR
hilarypeach.ca
anvil press.com/books/thick-skin-field-notes-from-a-sister-in-the-brotherhood
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This trailblazer just released her memoir, Thick Skin, sharing 20 years as a transient welder, travelling across Canada and the United States, working in pulp mills, chemical plants, refineries, and generating stations! Meet the fascinating author, welding inspector and safety officer, Hilary Peach on this episode of Women in Trades.
Brandy welcomes Amandeep Beesla, who brings over 25 years of onsite field experience! She is passionate about tradeswomen’s rights, equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion, mentoring new and young workers, and mental health, leading her to pursue a career path in health and safety.
Karen Dearlove
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BCCWITT
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info@bccwitt
linkedin.com/in/karen-dearlove-b51b0623/
BCCWITT.ca
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This week Brandy is delighted to introduce Karen Dearlove, the Executive Director of BC Centre for Women in Trades. Karen's strong belief in helping others is evident in her role as a leader in the skilled trades. BCCWITT is a non-profit organization providing a range of services, support, mentorship, and training for women, indigenous people, and other under-represented groups interested in making a career in the skilled trades.
An established tile setter of 16 years and immersed in world of construction her entire life Traci Stevens has found her niche market working mainly for women, sharing knowledge and passion in the ever-evolving industry she loves. Brandy's guest shares her journey in another heavy-lifting dirty job for Women in Trades!
Anna Lary
ELECTRICAL INSTRUCTOR, BCIT
linkedin.com/in/anna-lary-m-ed-fsr-master-electrician-279b3b55
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Teaching in the Electrical Apprenticeship Program at BCIT for ten years, Anna Lary is an electrician, an instructor and an agent of change! With a Provincial Instructor Diploma and a Master of Education specializing in Curriculum and Instruction, Anna's also the Regional Representative for the British Columbia Centre for Women in Trades and Technology!
Jessica Bannister
OPERATIONS MANAGER, CAM COOL
HVAC JESS (604) 363-3353
Cam Cool Refrigeration Inc.
hvacjess.com womeninhvac.ca
Brandy is excited to chat with HVAC JESS, a Level 3 HVAC Apprentice at her family’s company, Cam Cool Refrigeration Inc. Jessica's the current President of Women in HVAC/R Canada and she wishes to bring more awareness to women in the trades, specifically women in HVAC-R, encouraging young people (especially girls) to consider it as a rewarding career option.
Rachel Schatz
PIPING INSTRUCTOR, BCIT
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Insta: @racheltheplumber
(604) 456-8108
LinkedIn.com/in/rachel-schatz-rse-88439b218/
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Meet Rachel Schatz, a red seal plumber and gas fitter with over 15 years’ experience in the construction and service industry. As the only female instructor in the BCIT piping department, she teaches gas level B, and Plumbing levels 2 and 4, and is a member of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
Leah Peters, carpenter and Site Superintendent at Bockstael, gained a great deal of experience and expertise in residential and commercial construction and hopes to help educate and mentor the next generation of women considering a career in construction.
Laura Cameron
HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC, VALLEY CARRIERS
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Insta: @madamcameron
LinkedIn.com/in/laura-c-849990a1a3
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This week Brandy welcomes Laura Cameron, a heavy-duty mechanic apprentice at Valley Carriers who has also done 10 years as a welder and fabricator! Her career has been diverse in industries such as oil & gas, underground mining, agriculture, alcohol, and more. Laura is a Regional Representative for BCCWITT, a mentor with CWB Women of Steel, and the Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator for Tools To Empower. Laura is also a mom, dog owner and is learning to ride a unicycle!
Shayla Aspden
FOUNDER, THE TINY TECHNICIAN LTD.
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(250) 886-0447 Vancouver Island
Insta: @thetinytechnician
Facebook: The Tiny Technician
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Shayla Aspden dropped out of business school and walked over to the trades building to enrol in the Plumbing & PipeTrade Foundation program at Camosun College in 2015. Now known as The Tiny Technician, she's never looked back! Also a very proud BCCWITT Regional Rep, Shayla provides support and resources to all females and underrepresented groups throughout the trades.
Lana Love is Field Operator with the newly formed company Arbios Biotech! She’s also a journey-level millwright and working on her Fourth Class Power Engineering Certification. Additionally representing BC Tradeswomen Society and BCCWITT, Lana’s helping change the culture of industrial and trades workplaces to be more inclusive.
Sandy Suter started cutting out decorative metal for house, signs and weathervanes when she was in high school. After exploring other non-trade career options, she's back building pipelines and sawmills!
From the Chilcotin First Nation in Williams Lake B.C., meet Red Seal Machinist and Machinist Instructor at BCIT, Chelsea Barron. Also a Regional Representative with BCCWITT, Chelsea is a mentor and advocate for all women, indigenous peoples, and other minorities in the skilled trades.
Kristine Byers is a Red Seal Journeyperson Carpenter and Union Business Representative for the Carpenters’ Regional Council of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBCJA). She is passionate about diversifying the workforce through the inclusion and advancement of women, Indigenous workers and other underrepresented groups in the trades.
For over 20 years Lisa has been a passionate advocate for the skilled trades and she's a member of a number of organizations. Lisa is a regional representative for the BC Centre For Women In The Trades; a Director at large for the BC Tradeswomen society; a Board member for the College of New Caledonia; a Member of the Skilled Trades Committee for CUPE BC; and, also sits on a few committees with her Union - local CUPE 4990.
Emilie Biela
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CARPENTER & INSTRUCTIOR
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Passionate about connecting people in the trades, Emilie is the Trades Navigator for Student Support and Engagement at the University of the Fraser Valley. Earning her Red Seal Certification in carpentry at just 23 years old, Emilie's career is well established with inspiring stories to share! Photo: Modelling women's workwear for Covergalls.com
After immigrating to Canada from India, Kavitha was introduced to an all-women's trade workshop. Facing many challenges along the way, she's earned a rewarding career in Wood Finishing! Hear Kavitha's story this week on Women In Trades, our latest series on the All Things Renovation podcast.
Alexis Armstrong
PEGGY WORKWEAR​
SMOKO PODCAST
​alexisarmstronggeo@gmail.com
www.peggyworkwear.ca
www.smokopodcast.ca
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Brandy welcomes another powerhouse from the trades! Learn how the Founder of Peggy Workwear and The Smoko Podcast applied her background in geology and time working at sea to execute her mission!
Carissa Belyk
Red Seal Electrician & Field Safety Rep
carissa.rlb@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/carissa-belyk-rse
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Welcome Carissa, Red Seal Electrician with FSR-B Certification. With10 years in the electrical sector and over 15 years in the skilled trades, her journey to Powerline Technician is all about safety and community!
Interested in being featured on All Things Renovation? Click HERE
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