VICA INSTRUCTORS

A.J. Winters, CRM, CAIB, ACSB, Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services (Victoria) Inc. | Assistant Vice President

AJ has been in commercial insurance working with contractors, business owners, and management teams for 14 years. He has served two terms as Vice-Chair and Chair of VICA’s Young Builders Network and was recently the recipient of VICA’s U40 Person of the Year award. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Island Equipment Owners Association. AJ works with a variety of clients and his main focus is helping contractors in the construction and forestry industries.

Allison Greaves | Human Resource Manager, Durwest Construction Management Inc.

Allison Greaves is the Human Resources Manager and a Principal with Durwest Construction Management. She has 10 years of experience in the construction industry and also provides HR consulting services to a wide variety of organizations as part of Reimagine Work's team of People and Culture Advisors. She is an active community member serving on the Vancouver Island Construction Association Board of Directors as well as a member of the Governance and Nomination Committee for the Power to Be. She holds a diploma in Human Resource Management and is a CPHR Candidate.

Craig Shirra, BTech CM, GSC, PSQ, LEEDGA, UBC Properties Trust | Director of Development

Craig is currently the Director of Development at UBC Properties Trust, where he acts as the owner’s project managers for all new capital projects at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus and Kelowna region.

Craig stated his construction career as a steel stud and drywall tradesman working on some of Vancouver’s most significant pre-Olympics projects, including the Richmond Oval and renovations of BC Place and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Craig then joined Task Construction Management, a boutique CM firm, where he managed projects that included the Vernon Library and South Surrey Rec Center. In 2012 Craig joined Bird Construction where he was part of the team that delivered the new UBC Student Union Building, Kelowna RCMP building, and the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at UBC Vancouver.

Craig holds a degree in Construction Management, and Diploma of Technology as a graduate of the Architectural Building Engineering Technologies program, both at BCIT. He is also a LEED Green Associate, registered Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS), and has earned his Gold Seal designation in Project Management.

Craig’s current projects include the UBCO Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Innovation (ICI) Building (a 150,000 square foot research facility), and the new UBC Downtown Kelowna Campus.

Debbie Hicks, B.Sc, DSH Consulting | President

Former President of the Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA) in BC for 22 years, with a comprehensive education background (Diploma in Business Administration, Bachelors of Science, teaching credential, and MBA in progress) learning has always been at the core of Debbie's career. During her time with SICA, she worked with a range of industry stakeholders including the buyers of construction services, architects, engineers, and contractors, coordinating and providing industry advocacy and education. Recent experience as the owner Rep for the construction of Kelowna Yacht Club's new Clubhouse has provided an additional perspective. Debbie's extensive experience in construction industry both as a stakeholder and educator make her uniquely qualified as a trainer and facilitator. With her energetic and dynamic instructional style, you won't want to miss an opportunity to train with Debbie!

Diane Jolicoeur, Builders Code | Employer Advisor & Worksite Culture Training Facilitator

Diane is a certified coach in personal/professional development and emotional intelligence. Her experience in human resources includes specialized recruitment, employee relations, career transition and displacement; as well as training development and facilitation on subjects including worksite culture, stress management and emotional intelligence in the workplace. Diane supports employers and leaders in the construction and trades-related industries with resources and best practices for creating a positive and inclusive worksite culture.

Drew Willms, B.A.Sc., EIT, Structure Craft | Business Development Engineer

As BD Engineer, Drew's responsibilities include pre-construction project management and estimating, as well as developing and coordinating new project opportunities. He has led the estimating effort on institutional and commercial mass timber projects across North America and Asia. Drew is also responsible for early project engineering and 3D design, working in collaboration with our engineering department.

He joined StructureCraft after four years as a Regional Engineer at one of Canada’s largest civil infrastructure companies, where he coordinated the design and site supervision efforts for bridge structure installations across the Pacific Northwest. Drew is a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Civil Engineering program.

Elisa Brandts, AAA, OAA, NSAA, FRAIC, Stantec | Managing Senior Principal

Elisa is a Senior Principal and the Business Centre Managing Leader for the Stantec buildings group in BC. Her role combines active senior team leadership, financial and studio management with managing significant projects. Her project focus is particularly on large-scale alternate delivery scope, IPD and those integrating Lean process. Throughout her industry career Elisa has accomplished many major projects including: Eric Hamber Secondary School Replacement Project, Vancouver; Camosun College Alex and Jo Campbell School of Health Sciences, Victoria; Canalta Centre, Medicine Hat, Alberta; Sault Ste. Marie Event Centre, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario; Youngstown Convocation Center, Youngstown, OH, USA; and the Rideau Carleton Raceway, Ottawa.

Elizabeth Chick-Blount, Buy Social Canada | Executive Director

Elizabeth’s experience spans frontline roles in communities, consulting for the public sector, and working with social enterprises in the UK and Canada. As Executive Director at Buy Social Canada, she coordinates and connects Buy Social Canada’s work with public and private sector purchasers to design and implement Social Procurement and Community Benefit Agreement policies and practices. Elizabeth worked with the City of Vancouver on the development of the CBA implementation strategy and is working with PCL construction on the implementation of the CBA on the New St. Paul’s hospital development, and Chandos Construction on the implementation of a voluntary CBA. Elizabeth also continues to collaborate with the United Way GTA, TCBN and PCBN to connect the Metrolinx LRT projects with social enterprise suppliers in Toronto.

Elizabeth Zhu, BSc, Fraser Health Authority | Procurement Manager

During her 15-year tenure as Procurement Manager at Fraser Health, Elizabeth has built a highly specialized ten-person public construction procurement team that manages facility maintenance and construction projects across four health authorities in the BC lower mainland. As the acting procurement advisor to multiple BC hospital redevelopment projects, she has a thorough understanding of federal and provincial public procurement policies as well as a variety of construction delivery methods and contracts. Elizabeth is an active member of the BC Public Construction Council, and her procurement team has been recognized for excellence by the ICI industry as the two-time recipient BCCA‘s “Best Public Owner Award” in both 2017 and 2022.

Humaira Ahmed | Founder & CEO | BestHuman

Humaira Ahmed is the Founder and CEO of BestHuman, a leading leadership development platform to help managers become great people leaders.

BestHuman has impacted over 4,500 individuals through its coaching marketplace and tailored programs. Humaira's focus on the future of work as a community-driven space aligns with her belief that leadership must evolve in the face of ever-evolving dynamic business and workplace landscape.

Humaira is a recipient of Business in Vancouver (BIV)'s 40 under 40 recipient, Douglas Magazine 10 to Watch Winner, and has won multiple awards. Her thought leadership has been featured in various publications including CTV News, ChekTV and the Globe and Mail.