Skilled Trades

David Cassidy is the president of Unifor Local 444, representing 20,000 active and retired members in 31 workplaces, including automotive, gaming, energy, transportation, administrative, policing, aerospace, retirement living, waste and recycling. He also leads the national executive board of Unifor Trades, representing 50,000 tradespeople. Active on several boards and community-based initiatives, Cassidy prioritizes a membership-first approach to union leadership, supporting workers from various organizations and leveraging social media platforms for effective communication.

Emily Chung is the founder and owner of AutoNiche Inc., a leading automotive repair company in Markham, Ontario. As one of the few sole female business owners in her field, she is committed to empowering women and men to achieve success as leaders in skilled trades. A passionate advocate for the sector, Chung appears in media, writes for trade publications and is a keynote speaker at industry and school events. She is also a faculty member at the Automotive Business School of Canada at Georgian College.

As the first Red Seal certified female plumber in Ontario, Deborah Davies Johnston has inspired countless young women to consider careers in skilled trades. Highlighted in the Ministry of Colleges and University's promotion of Women and the Skilled Trades in the 1970s, Johnston worked in the plumbing industry for over 45 years. In 1991, she created the annual Deborah Johnston Award to encourage female students at Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute to pursue non-traditional careers, personally funding the cash award for 34 years.

For 33 years, Tony DiGiovanni served as Executive Director of Landscape Ontario, representing 3,400 landscape horticulture businesses and professionals across the province. Under his leadership, Landscape Ontario became one of the world's largest horticultural associations. DiGiovanni is the partnership manager for Canadian Trees for Life, a registered charity planting trees to fight climate change. Its campaigns have enabled the planting of over two million trees to date.

Brandi Ferenc, one of 50 women in Ontario's refrigeration and gas fitter trade, is committed to changing culture and attitudes. She has educated over 100 employers on integrating women into their workforce, reached more than 25,000 youth with her message of equity and inclusion and advocated for hundreds of women by providing them with a platform to share their lived experiences. Ferenc is also a Support Ontario Youth mentor and a college HVAC instructor, crediting her college’s women in skilled trades program for opening doors when no one else would.

Rokhaya Gueye attended college to follow her dream of becoming a carpenter. On her first large construction job, she was the only Black woman among 350 men. Today, she is recognized for a champion of equity, diversity and inclusion in her sector, advocating for people of all ages, especially women and people from diverse communities, to take up skilled trades. Gueye’s “can-do” attitude and ability to connect with people has earned her numerous awards and a role as community partnership coordinator for the Carpenters’ Union.

Jason Herd is an entrepreneur who turned his trades management knowledge and experience into Tradetraks Inc., a growing software technology company helping small and medium-sized trades businesses become more efficient. More than 50 companies use the solutions management system and Herd plans to expand to the U.S. He previously managed large electrical projects, including football stadiums, transit facilities and smart street-light systems, leading his family-owned electrical business through rapid growth.

Moneca Kaiser is a visionary designer known for her sustainable approach to design and construction. With a background in carpentry, she is a successful business owner dedicated to community and environmental well-being. Kaiser mentors and educates the next generation of designers and builders, advocating for sustainability and promoting diversity and inclusion in the trades.

Solomon King is an esteemed Indigenous artist who honours his heritage through intricate wood and stone creations. His dedication to preserving Indigenous culture earns him acclaim, with works displayed at prominent venues like Nathan Phillips Square and the University of Toronto. Committed to reconciliation, King crafted a monumental turtle sculpture commemorating residential school survivors. He integrates woodwork with stonemasonry and trains many individuals in his field.

Michelle Mulder is a trailblazer in the roofing sector. A graduate of building construction technology, Mulder has broken barriers as an award-winning roofer and advocate for women in trades. She inspires through mentorship, public speaking and leadership in initiatives like Women on Site. Mulder’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has made a significant impact on the industry. In 2022, Mulder became the first Canadian to win the Beacon Building Products North American Competition: Female Roofing Professional of the Year.

Jade Murphy holds history in her hands every day. As a welder and restoration technician working on Canada's most important heritage buildings and monuments, she commits to the careful and respectful work of ensuring the work of the generations before her continuing to exist into the future. Murphy has worked to restore, repair and conserve Canada's architectural and artistic history, collaborating with historians, conservators and leading experts in heritage preservation.

Leanne Rhem is a sought-after carpenter, artist and small business owner. As a carpentry outreach facilitator, she promotes skilled trades in schools and communities across eastern Ontario. Through hands-on workshops, she has introduced hundreds of people to the trades, serving as a visible role model showing that trades need not be gendered. Recognized by Reader’s Digest in 2019 as one of the top 10 Canadian artisans to watch, Rhem’s creativity and skills are widely acknowledged.

Dylan Stadtke is a licensed plumber who owns and operates Pristine Plumbing in Peterborough, Ontario. As a young entrepreneur, his business is thriving, which reflects his dedication to professional standards and community involvement. In addition to two Fleming diplomas, Stadtke completed the construction leadership program, demonstrating his commitment to leadership and excellence. Beyond his professional achievements, Stadtke is dedicated to men’s mental health and promoting women in trades, underscoring his role as a leader and innovator in his industry.

Elizabeth Tait has significantly contributed to automotive safety. As a skilled technician, she charted her path in a male-dominated field and noticed a lack of expertise in repairing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in Canada. Tait obtained national certification and now owns a business specializing in ADAS repairs, serving various auto repair shops and enhancing road safety across Canada. Tait’s dedication to advancing automotive technology and mentoring the next generation of female technicians underscores her exemplary industry impact.