b'BEST OF THE BEST AWARDSSEAN P. MCKENNA YOUNG CONSTRUCTION LEADERS AWARDNICOLE BIGIONI | BLACKSTONE PAVING AND CONSTRUCTION LTDher this years Sean P. McKenna YoungBigioni adds that her involvement with YCL Construction Leaders Award. As a YCLhas also helped her develop lifelong friend-member for the past six years, Bigoni hasships and key industry relationships. With helped plan and execute a host of fun andadvice for other industry up-and-comers career-building events for young industrylike herself, she notes: I would urge professionals, including networkingwomen to get involved. This is a male-dom-outings, game nights and numerous fund- inated industry and we need to continue raising initiatives. to break barriers, shake hands and work hard. I joined the committee when I had One of the most gratifying events I hada four-month-old baby, and today I have a hand in planning was the MLSE [Mapletwo children and still try to attend YCL and Leaf Sports & Entertainment] Team Upother industry events to make sure I am Challenge event in support of the MLSEmeeting new people in the industry, discov-LaunchPad, a youth-based sporting andering new industry trends and staying social change facility, says Bigioni. Havingcurrent.this group of young professionals comeBigioni thanks the YCL committee for its together, raise funds and participate inongoing teamwork and friendship, adding, a day to honour sick children and theirThis committee is run on teamwork. It was Nicole Bigionis industry successfamilies was very satisfying. Watching ourWithout everyones input, guidance and and commitment to TCAs Young Construc- group interact with the children and theirexpertise, the committee wouldnt be what tion Leaders (YCL) group that earnedfamilies was very inspiring. it is today.COMMUNITY LEADER AWARDWALSH CANADAFrom fundraisers and toy drives to local sponsorships and safety committees, Walsh Canada makes community outreach an ongoing priority. This commitment has made the national construction firm a respected name among its neighbours and a reputed player in the industry.It is important to give back to the communities that we live and work in, says Craig Lesurf, vice president, business group leader, Walsh Canada. It is part of the Walsh family culture and some-thing that creates bonds among our staff and with the communityAll told, Lesurf says, We like to follow up on the initiatives in which around us.we participate to see the positive impact thats been made on the lives of others. That lets our staff know they are making a real Walsh Canadas many community outreach initiatives includedifference in their communities.its Holiday Toy Drive, participation in the Movember Canadian Construction Fundraising Challenge, sponsorship and volunteerThese activities and more make Walsh Canada a natural pick support for Canadas Student Bid Competition, and a host of indi- for TCAs Community Leader Award. Walsh is honoured to be vidual staff initiatives tied to a wide range of causes.recognized by the association and thanks the many Walsh team members who put the community spirit into action every day. We Walsh is also a proud supporter of industry talent. This is demon- thank Team Walsh for their selfless efforts and donations of their strated in part through its Walsh Canada Endowment for Safetytime and money, as well as the Walsh Family for all the support and Academic Excellence with George Brown College and itsthey provide to enable our staff to participate in these events, top-level participation on educational committees. says Lesurf.28BUILDERSDIGESTQuarter 12019'