About Honour The Work
The idea of Honour the Work began in conversations between Angela, Tim and Jen in January of 2020. The construction industry is facing a labour crisis and no national “one stop shop” to connect Canadians to the many skilled trades resources existed. We thought, “what if we could create a hub so that Canadians have a single spot to begin learning of the opportunities and careers in the skilled trades?” We knew that career choices are often imprinted in elementary aged children so we asked, “how can we help showcase trade careers as the intellectually and physically stimulating STEAM jobs they are?” We set out to identify and remove barriers preventing people from pursuing an apprenticeship.
From these questions our mission began:
Create a one-stop hub to connect Canadians to meaningful careers in the skilled trades. We serve to help break the cycle of false narratives: who pursues the skilled trades, why they do it, and what skills are needed. Together, we seek to inspire a new generation to value craftsmanship and honour the work.
The team at honour the work
Angela Coldwell is a wife, mother, and recipient of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence. By her own admission, she began her teaching career with a narrow view of what post-secondary was, believing it to be a college or university program. Her seminal moment was after a conversation with a very clever grade 10 Science student who wanted to become an electrician. She assumed his best option was engineering. But, he enjoyed working with his hands and didn’t want more years of classroom-based schooling. Angela’s perspective was transformed when she realized that a career as an electrician presented just as much, if not more, opportunity as a career as an engineer. Misconceptions abound and yet craft lies at the heart of what it means to be human. Angela’s goal is to help educators present apprenticeship as an equal post-secondary path which uses STEAM skills daily, and to connect Canadians to the tools and resources needed to begin their journey into the trades.
Danielle Feidler’s award-winning career spans over two decades. It is filled with progressive, purpose-driven ventures that strategically support the development of strong, resilient, and empowered communities both in the workplace and society at large. Danielle’s work in revitalization communities and in creating training-to-employment programs for young adults interested in pursuing careers in construction have made positive and lasting change that impacts individuals, families and the common good. In addition to her work as Principal and Founder of Fire Up Culture, Danielle is a wife, mother and passionate conservationist, working with Vital Ground to preserve wildlife – like the grizzlies – and nature for future generations.
Danielle shares her experience and insights at conferences across Canada speaking on topics like DEI+R, the Customer and Brand Experience and others. She is the Co-Chair of the Urban Land Institutes Mentorship program and is supporting the growth and development of young adults as she pursues completing her certification with the International Association of Professional Recovery Coaches (IAPRC).
Isabelle Poirier leads innovation programs for Kilmer Brownfield’s portfolio of real estate developments. Ms. Poirier is responsible for energy, sustainability, proptech & mobility strategies on community-scale projects and communications strategies for stakeholders on behalf of Kilmer. She holds more than 15 years of experience in management positions and directorships. In other advisory roles, Isabelle has fostered the growth of businesses and organizations. She has provided strategic guidance in foreign direct investment and marketing for governments and large corporations across Canada. From community services to trade association engagement strategies, Isabelle develops partnerships to enable stakeholder collaboration and private funding.
Ms. Poirier holds a Masters Degree in Communication from l’Université du Québec à Montréal. Since 2008, she’s been a guest speaker and lecturer for large organizations and renowned universities in North America and Europe on market intelligence, community marketing and social media marketing for economic development.
Jen Hancock serves as Vice President, Collaborative Construction at Chandos. Before joining Chandos 15 years ago, Jen was a junior high teacher. That perspective has set her apart in the construction industry and she has helped lead many industry transformation initiatives in Canada. She works primarily as a coach, facilitator, and trainer for project teams with a focus on Integrated Project Delivery, collaborative construction practices, lean, and sustainability. She worked on some of the first integrated projects in Canada and has been a key champion in bringing it across the country from BC to Ontario. Jen is a passionate advocate for women in construction and is on the board of directors for the Edmonton Construction Association.
Tim Coldwell is a husband, dad and Mohawk entrepreneur focused on leading by serving, culture, and the monetization of ideas. Tim believes value is created when leaders combine the power of purpose with existing business models to solve the world’s greatest problems. As an industry leader, Tim has forged partnerships with impact organizations across Canada to create opportunities for at-risk youth in the construction industry. Tim is an advisor to San Francisco’s Center for Innovation in the Design & Construction Industry and was the founding board chair of the Integrated Project Delivery Alliance. Tim has been named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year; is a recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40® and is also an alumnus of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference.
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