OUR DIRECTORS
The women who form the CCW Board of Directors are all volunteers who dedicate their time and effort towards CCW’s mandate; to support and inspire women and to create a stronger construction industry.
During their time sitting on the board they are expected to attend monthly board meetings, along with as many events as possible and take responsibility for fufilling their role.
Aside from sitting on the board, our directors have their own professional careers and families.
Without the current or past Board of Directors CCW could not have become the organization that it is today.
CURRENT DIRECTORS
-
Kate KirwanPresident -
Seema LalVice President -
Nassim BaharianSecretary -
Kimberley BashualdoDirector of Programs -
Annika DowntonDirector of Membership -
Melissa PettitDirector of Sponsorship -
Carla ParsonsDirector of Communications -
Shelly BidlockDirector of Community -
Kat TaylorDirector at Large
Kate Kirwan
Kate is a Senior Technical Product Manager at Unity Technologies in the Digital Twins division. She brings over a decade of construction experience to current AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) products such as VisualLive and Reflect Review and is working to bring a number of in-development products to market. Prior to moving to software development in 2021, Kate worked as a Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Manager involved in all stages of construction, from pursuit through to close-out.
Kate is passionate about encouraging and assisting women in the construction industry, particularly in the technological side which, as with the industry as a whole, is traditionally male-dominated. In the past few years, Kate has mentored numerous BCIT design students along with high school students through her involvement with the Green Bricks organization. She has also presented on VDC topics at Autodesk University, WISE (Women in Science and Engineering), BuildEX, for BIMbc and at numerous LCI (Lean Construction Institute) conferences.
Kate has been a member of Canadian Construction Women since 2011 and held the position of Director of Programs from 2014 to 2019 before moving into the Vice President role. She became President of the organization in 2021.
president@constructionwomen.org
Seema Lal
Seema Lal is a partner with Clyde & Co Canada LLP and practices in the areas of construction and insurance law and commercial litigation.
Her clients in the construction industry benefit from Seema’s focus on the negotiation and preparation of construction contracts, procurement issues, builders liens, disputes and construction litigation, including claims for extras and delay. Seema has acted as counsel in mediations, arbitrations and has appeared before administrative tribunals and all levels of Court.
Seema is a fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, an organization that facilitates and encourage the association of outstanding lawyers who are distinguished for their skill, experience and high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice or teaching of construction law and who are dedicated to excellence in the specialized practice of construction law, and she is an adjunct lecturer at UBC for 4th year engineering students – Legal Aspects in Engineering Practice.
Seema is actively involved in the community and donates her time by participating on the Boards of a number of industry groups and non-profit organizations. She is excited to be able to assist the CCW in its mission of increasing women’s representation in the construction field.
vp@constructionwomen.org
Nassim Baharian
Nassim is an associate lawyer at the law firm of Grant Kovacs Norell in Vancouver, British Columbia. She maintains a commercial litigation practice with a focus on construction disputes, deficiencies, builders liens, claims for extra work, and delay. Her civil litigation experience includes insurance defence.
Nassim is an active member of the legal community. She is a member of the Education Committee and Mentorship Committee of the Canadian Bar Association’s British Columbia Branch and the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia.
Nassim joined CCW in the hopes of assisting the organization to achieve its mission of creating a stronger construction industry by inspiring and supporting women.
secretary@contructionwomen.org
Kimberley Bashualdo
Kim is a Project Manager at EllisDon. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering and has 7 years of construction industry experience.
Kim has been involved in various tenant improvement and new-build projects. Her favourite projects have been ones that have challenging (in a good way!) designs as well as projects that give back to the community.
Throughout her time in the industry, she has also been heavily involved in promoting and organizing community service work and support for women at the places she has worked.
Outside of work Kim enjoys spending time in nature, hanging out with friends and family, and this year especially – watching a lot of world cup matches!
She is excited to be part of the board of directors at CCW for 2022 and looks forward to assisting in creating a supportive network for women within our industry.
events@constructionwomen.org
Annika Downton
Annika is an Assistant Project Manager at Turner Construction and has been involved in the construction industry for 4 years. She graduated from the University of Victoria with a B.Eng in Civil Engineering and Minor in Business, and then moved to Vancouver to begin her career. She’s now completed many tenant improvement projects, and her favorite aspect has been building relationships with her subtrades and Clients while delivering projects all parties can be proud of. Since moving to Vancouver, Annika has fully embraced the outdoorsy way of life; going on hiking trips, brewery tours, spending an evening playing board games with friends, and relaxing on the beach.
She has been passionate in the promotion of diversity in construction and building support networks for women and minorities in the industry. Previously, Annika ran Mentorship events for students in engineering and promotional work in the construction industry. She’s excited to join Canadian Construction Women and looks forward to serving as Director of Membership.
membership@constructionwomen.org
Melissa Pettit
As a Project Specialist for one of Canada’s largest electrical wire and cable distributors, Melissa’s scope of responsibility includes development of new business opportunities, handling of procurement inquiries and facilitating cable management programs for large and/or mega infrastructure projects in the transportation, energy and renewables sectors.
Melissa is a proud BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) Marketing Communications graduate, savvy sales, marketing and business development professional with 15+ years’ experience supporting teams and organizational leaders in both B2B and B2C environments primarily within construction (electrical and electronic wire and cable), automotive, creative arts (film/tv//radio) and not-for profit sectors.
Melissa is excited to join Canadian Construction Women in this role. She looks forward to liaising with the many skilled and talented individuals in the industry and working with the organization’s many valued sponsors.
sponsorship@constructionwomen.org
Carla Parsons
Carla Parsons is a Construction Professional with years of experience in Business Development, Technical Sales and Marketing; engaging in new business alliances, brand promotion, customer satisfaction, project management and building relationships with vendor partners.
She found her passion for the Construction Industry while living in Nashville, TN for 14 Years and was in fact part of the creation of a new local cooperative called WiNC – Women in Networking + Construction. Now happy to be back in BC and part of the CCW Association in the role of Director of Communications, she strives to connect with ladies in the Construction Industry that are seeking opportunities to celebrate and support the growth and successes of being Canadian Construction Women.
When not struggling through a pandemic, Carla loves to travel and is involved in international dog rescue.
communications@constructionwomen.org
Shelly Bidlock
Shelly Bidlock is the Vice President of Health and Safety at CIMS Limited Partnership, a large heavy industrial construction contractor that provides services for large plant shutdowns and complex industrial projects in the oil and gas, pulp and paper, mining and smelting, power generation, and chemical sectors, throughout North America. Shelly has lead safety and cultural initiatives within CIMS that have been given a national recognition.
Shelly is actively involved in industry and, in addition to volunteering with CCW, she has volunteered her time with the BC Construction Labour Relations as a Director on the Board and on various subcommittees such as the Alcohol & Drug committee and Industry Bargaining Protocol subcommittee. She has been invited as a guest speaker at events including the annual 3M Construction Council and Syncrude Canada’s annual Safety Summit. Shelly has been an industry mentor to other women through Women in Occupational Health & Safety and is she excited to be working with the CCW in the role of Director of Community.
community@constructionwomen.
Kat Taylor
Kat graduated with a Bachelors of Engineering Degree in Civil Engineering in 2019.
She moved to Vancouver to begin her career at Canadian Turner Construction Company following her graduation. She is a project coordinator at Turner construction and has had the opportunity to work on many projects.
Kat is an energetic, motivated individual who is passionate about the construction industry. She feels accomplished when a project is completed and is able to take pride in the work she completes with her team.
Kat enjoys the outdoors, whether it be taking hikes in the mountains or relaxing on the beach with friends.
