Throughout Women’s History Month, MCABC is celebrating the remarkable journeys and achievements of three women who are breaking barriers and leading change in the industry.
Mahsa Barazandeh, Estimation Manager at Modern Niagara
Mahsa was born in Iran where she obtained her education and began her career in building controls. In 2012, in search of more equal work opportunities, she immigrated to Toronto. Within just 10 days of arriving in Canada, Mahsa landed a role as a technician with a controls company. Mahsa recalls diving into challenges headfirst, especially being on site for 3am calls and fixing cooling systems.
Despite the skepticism she faced working in a male-dominated environment, Mahsa never said “no” to new challenges. She says, “I came from a culture where women didn’t have equal opportunities. I had to prove that I was equal.”
Mahsa started to move up the ladder quickly and within one year, Mahsa transitioned to an estimator role. At the height of COVID, she joined Modern Niagara as a BAS Estimator.
Upon reflection of her career journey from Iran to Canada, Mahsa acknowledges the challenges and sacrifices she made to make it as a woman in the industry. She says, “10 years ago, I couldn’t see myself where I am today, those early days were the first steps on the ladder that I had to climb.”
Mahsa believes passion and perseverance are the key drivers to achieve career success and build a more equitable workforce for everyone. Mahsa continues to be an industry leader at Modern Niagara where she was recently featured for International Women’s Day.
Glenda Downey, Certified Journeyperson Sheet Metal Worker at Radian Mechanical
Glenda began her journey into the trades through Okanagan College’s Gateway to the Building Trades for Women, a program designed to introduce women to various trades through both in-class and in-shop learning in Kelowna, BC.
After exploring a variety of trades through the program, Glenda found her passion in sheet metal work. Upon graduation, she quickly landed an opportunity with Radian Mechanical and joined the company as the only woman on the team. Glenda credits Radian Mechanical for fostering a welcoming environment that allowed her to thrive and be part of a great team. She says, “Everyone is so supportive at Radian. The guys are always willing to help.”
Glenda has now transitioned from working on-site to in-shop projects and she remains committed to her professional development, honing her skills such as building a curb adapter and learning different fabrication techniques. Glenda’s hard work and dedication is paying off and in December 2023, she was recently certified as a journeyperson.
Upon reflection regarding her career, Glenda notes the freedom and confidence she has gained working in the mechanical trades. She says, “Women: don’t be scared to get into the trades! It’s so rewarding, you have a great life outside of work and the pay is fantastic. If you’re considering the trades, I highly recommend giving it a try!”
Glenda now advocates for more women to join the trades, demonstrating through her own journey the endless opportunities available for women to build fulfilling careers in the industry. For more information on the Gateway to the Building Trades for Women:
Amanda Lambert, NCSO, Safety Manager at Division 15 Mechanical
Amanda’s journey into the industry started six years ago, after being in equestrian management for 30 years. Her decision to pivot into construction stemmed from a conversation over dinner about safety training. Leveraging her extensive background in rider safety and regulations, she seamlessly transitioned and applied her skills to the industry.
She completed Construction Safety Officer Training at BCIT and just one month later, she joined Division 15 Mechanical as a Junior Safety Officer. Now as a Safety Manager, she starts her days on-site, checking in with her team to ensure they are equipped with proper PPE, ready to work safely and are compliant with safety protocols.
Amanda is also an advocate for mental health, recognizing its significance on workers’ wellbeing and workplace safety. She says, “One of my proudest moments has been watching our workers, both young and old, open up about mental health and teaching them better and healthier communication.”
As a champion for equal opportunity, diversity, inclusion, and mentorship, Amanda advises women wanting to build a career in the trades to stay curious, practice open communication and embrace learning.
Committed to enhancing workplace safety and prioritizing mental health, Amanda continues to support her team by equipping them to build their own toolbox full of resources and knowledge to advocate for their own wellbeing and safety.