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In honour of Pride Month, the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce wanted to profile a person who strives to build a more inclusive community in construction, while illustrating that collaboration and dedication can truly make a difference.<\/i><\/p>\n
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Nicole El-Sayah\u202fof\u202f\u202fwas the\u00a0recent\u202frecipient of the\u202finaugural Ontario General Contractors Association\u2019s (OGCA)\u00a0Women in Construction Award for\u00a0Community Involvement.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s\u00a0an honour she\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0take lightly,\u00a0and during her acceptance speech it was\u00a0evident\u00a0she is a\u00a0passionate advocate for\u00a0women and the LGBTQ2S+ community in construction.<\/p>\n
As\u00a0the Toronto-area lead for\u00a0EllisDon\u2019s\u00a0PEACE network, which\u00a0creates safe spaces and community for LGBTQ2S+ individuals across EllisDon and the AECOO (Architecture,\u00a0Engineering, Construction, Owner, Operator) industry, she says it \u201chas been one of the most rewarding experiences I\u2019ve ever had, not just because of what we\u2019ve been able to accomplish, but because of the people I\u2019ve had the privilege to work with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those same people felt she deserved to be nominated for the award.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s\u00a0behind initiatives that\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0just check a box, they genuinely connect people and make them feel seen,\u201d\u00a0 who is a\u202fco-owner and president of Somerville\u202fConstruction\u00a0and the incoming OGCA chair,\u202fstated\u00a0in presenting the award.<\/p>\n
\u201cNicole approaches everything with care and intention. People show up because of her, they stay engaged because of her,\u00a0and they feel part of something bigger.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0what makes her\u00a0impact\u00a0so meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n
PEACE, through education, connection and allyship,\u00a0promotes inclusion and drives meaningful change.<\/p>\n
For\u00a0El-Sayah,\u00a0the award also belongs to \u201cthe amazing folks who show up and care and push for better and who believe community\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0just an idea,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0something you\u00a0actively\u00a0build every\u00a0day.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommunity work can sometimes feel incremental.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0built\u00a0on conversations and small actions and\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0showing up consistently. But over time, those efforts create real change, more visibility, stronger\u00a0connections\u00a0and safer,\u00a0more inclusive spaces for everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis award is a reminder that the work matters and that there\u2019s still more to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n