Women in Skilled Trades Roadshow 2025: Empowering Change Across British Columbia
This September, the Women in Skilled Trades Roadshow 2025 hit the road to British Columbia, bringing two unforgettable events to Kelowna and Vancouver. Each stop was filled with connection, inspiration, and powerful storytelling as women across the province came together to celebrate their achievements and chart new paths in the skilled trades.
Kelowna – September 23, 2025
In Kelowna, over 125 women and industry professionals gathered for a day that was nothing short of transformative. With 23 exhibitors, immersive workshops, and hands-on skills labs, the event was a showcase of innovation and empowerment. The stage itself, designed and built by women, set the tone for a day that honored creativity, craftsmanship, and leadership.
Attendees were treated to an engaging lineup of panel discussions that explored women’s evolving roles in trades, the barriers still to be overcome, and the collective power of mentorship and community. The atmosphere buzzed with optimism as tradeswomen, students, and employers connected through shared experiences and aspirations.
The day’s keynote speakers, Krista Paine and Linda Edgecombe, delivered messages that perfectly captured the heart of the event. Krista Paine, a Red Seal Carpenter, Residential Contractor, and Registered Interior Designer, currently serving as President of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Central Okanagan, shared her journey of building not just homes, but also confidence and leadership within the industry. Recognized as one of the country’s top residential builders, Krista’s address inspired attendees to embrace both skill and self-belief as foundations for success.
Following her, Linda Edgecombe, an internationally renowned resiliency expert and motivational coach, brought laughter and reflection to the stage. Recently named one of the Top 60 Motivational Speakers in the World and a Speaker Hall of Fame inductee, Linda’s heartfelt talk reminded the audience of the importance of resilience, community, and staying grounded through the challenges of breaking new ground in trades.
The event concluded with an unmistakable sense of connection and pride, marking Kelowna as a resounding success and a catalyst for continued progress in gender inclusion within skilled trades.
Vancouver – September 24, 2025
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The following day in Vancouver, the roadshow continued its momentum with 55 registrants and 8 exhibitors, offering a more intimate yet equally powerful experience. The focus here was on collaboration, mentorship, and sharing stories of transformation. Attendees enjoyed a keynote presentation, a lively panel discussion, and a community lunch prepared by a former heavy machine operator turned entrepreneur, whose own journey reflected the event’s theme of empowerment through reinvention.
The event also highlighted a meaningful partnership with ISS of BC, whose welcome to newcomers underscored the inclusive vision of the roadshow—one that recognizes the strength of diversity and the vital role of immigrants in shaping the trades industry.
The Vancouver stage came alive with a powerhouse lineup of tradeswomen whose experiences spanned carpentry, electrical work, metal fabrication, and entrepreneurship. Among them were Saoirse Gibney, owner and carpenter of Elizabeth Carpentry; Carly Steiman, a Red Seal Electrician and founder of Lady Electric—also known as the only Canadian woman to compete on CBS’s Tough as Nails; Ghazaleh Nozamani, a former software engineer turned trades activist and founder of Love Without Borders; Alyssa Deville, a Red Seal Sheet Metal Worker and Skills BC Gold Medalist; Poi Yuk Garcia, a Red Seal Lather and champion for inclusive trades environments; Ariel Lai, mentor and stylist; and Mahara Gibson-Zeinoun, founder of Princess Plumbing, whose story of breaking barriers in plumbing resonated deeply with the audience.
Culminating the day was an inspiring keynote by Anna Lary, Project Lead of the ConnectHER Hub at BCIT, and a Red Seal and BC Master Electrician with over 15 years of field experience and 12 years in teaching. Anna’s talk celebrated the importance of mentorship and education, urging attendees to lead by example and continue paving the way for women entering the trades.
Building Momentum and Shaping the Future
Across both cities, the Women in Skilled Trades Roadshow 2025 left a lasting impression. From the confidence sparked in newcomers exploring their first trade, to the pride shared among seasoned professionals reflecting on how far the industry has come, the events stood as powerful reminders that progress is built not just with tools, but with courage, community, and collaboration.
The British Columbia leg of the roadshow was more than a series of events—it was a celebration of possibility and a call to action. As women continue to shape, build, and redefine the trades, the message from Kelowna and Vancouver was clear: the future of skilled trades is not only bright—it’s boldly inclusive.