Join the webinar for a discussion with industry stakeholders who will be sharing more about the construction sector ecosystem and their role in supporting workforce development pathways for underrepresented groups into good jobs and careers in the construction industry
Welcome and Closing by Mohamed Elmi - Interim Executive Director, Diversity Institute at Ryerson University
Mohamed is the Interim Executive Director at the Diversity Institute. The Diversity Institute conducts and coordinates multi-disciplinary, multi-stakeholder research to address the needs of diverse Canadians, the changing nature of skills and competencies, and the policies, processes and tools that advance economic inclusion and success. Mohamed hold a PhD in Information Systems at University of Cape Town. Prior to this, Mohamed completed his thesis Masters of Arts in International Development Studies at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and an Honour Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Brunswick.
Marc Soberano - Founder and Executive Director at Building Up
Marc founded Building Up because he felt it needed to exist. He believes that the role of a social enterprise is to connect people that want to make socially-minded purchasing decisions with the opportunity to do so.
Marc graduated the Richard Ivey School of Business, canoed across Canada, and understands the untapped transformative powers of construction. He combines lessons learned from life in the woods with a people-first outlook to lead this organization towards its vision.
Stephen Callender - President, Bass Installation and President, Afro-Canadian Contractors Association
Stephen Callender is the President of Bass Installation, a specialty contractor specializing in glass installation and President of the Afro Canadian Contractors Association (ACCA), A Canadian black-owned non profit organization in the construction industry made of general contractors, subcontractors, home builders and renovators. Stephen is a memeber of the TCBN Board of Directors.
Heela Omarkhail - Vice President, Social Impact at Daniels Corporation
Heela Omarkhail is Vice President, Social Impact at The Daniels Corporation, a leading GTA based builder-developer. Heela is responsible for corporate mandates and strategic initiatives that look beyond the bricks and mortar to ensure that the social, cultural and economic infrastructures of communities built by Daniels are as strong as the new buildings. Since 2009, Heela has been working on Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the revitalization of Regent Park in Toronto’s Downtown East where Daniels has pioneered a number of local economic development initiatives in collaboration with community and industry partners. The revitalization of the 69-acre social housing neighbourhood to a mixed-income and mixed-use community is looked to around the world as a model for creating healthy, inclusive and resilient communities.
Giovanni Cautillo - President, Ontario General Contractors Association
Giovanni Cautillo is the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA). His passion for the construction industry has driven his 20-year career in the construction industry.
Construction has shaped Giovanni's career trajectory from an early age. He was taught building fundamentals and the importance and interdependence of communication within the construction team from his father, a proud stonemason that immigrated from Italy. The simple values of trust, respect and pride are the foundation of his construction education.
After working in the aerospace and hospitality sectors, Giovanni transitioned back to the construction industry as a small general contractor where he gained a profound understanding of the issues contractors face daily. In 2006, he brought this experience to the Executive Managing Director for the Residential Framing Contractors Association (RFCA), where he focused on building strong partnerships in the industry. After eight years in the residential sector, he transitioned to heavy civil and infrastructure at the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA).
The OGCA has a proud reputation for advocacy on behalf of members and being the general contracting industry's voice. With significant personal and professional experience, Giovanni is well suited to be the spokesperson for the association. His straightforward delivery style has already advanced multiple issues affecting general contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the OGCA continues to grow, Giovanni is focused on long-term initiatives facing the general contractors in Ontario. These efforts include ensuring members' health and safety, equitable contract language provisions, the expansion of innovation and technology in construction, and investment in ICI infrastructure projects of all sizes in Ontario.
