Mandy Bujold's Column

STEPPING INTO SOMEONE ELSE'S BOOTS

 By Mandy Bujold, Manager of Industry & Community Partnerships, GVCA

One of my favourite parts of my role with the Grand Valley Construction Association is getting out of the office and spending real time on site with our members. I’ve had the chance to join crews in different trades and settings, each visit giving me a better understanding of the people who build our communities every day. But recently, I stepped onto site with one of our member companies for my first day shadowing a carpenter and it gave me an experience I won’t soon forget.

Like any new experience, I felt those familiar “first day” jitters. That part didn’t surprise me, nerves are normal when you’re stepping into someone else’s world. But what did catch me off guard was how much time I spent the night before wondering: Am I actually prepared for this?

That evening, I got a message from the owner: “Do you have a tool belt and some tools?” My honest answer? No, at least not my own. But before I could overthink it, my husband jumped up, pulled his tool belt down from the garage wall, and said, “Here, take mine.” So there we were, late at night, adjusting the belt to fit, sorting out what tools I’d actually need, and trying to guess what would help me feel ready.

It sounds small, but strapping on that tool belt really made me pause. I remember standing there thinking: Is this what they expect me to wear? Will I look like I know what I’m doing? Will I stand out even more? I felt a bit like I was playing dress-up, trying to “fit in” when I knew I didn’t have the same background or experience.

I packed it in my trunk just in case, dressed head to toe in PPE, fully prepared, but still unsure if I’d brought the “right” version of myself. And it made me think: how many women — especially those new to the trades — carry that same quiet doubt? Wondering if they’ll stand out more than they already do. Wondering if they’ve brought enough to belong.

That day reminded me exactly why it’s so important that we, as an association, keep showing up on site not just for a photo op, but to really see and hear what happens in the everyday moments that don’t make it into a meeting agenda. Those moments, the unscripted conversations, the coffee break stories, the small things that never get emailed are what help us understand what our members really need. That’s where we learn how we can show up better for you.

So here’s my ask: I want to keep learning. If you’re a GVCA member and open to having me join your crew for a day or half day—whether it’s in the field, in the shop, or behind the scenes—I’d love the opportunity. These experiences help us understand how to serve you better and how to keep building stronger connections across our industry.

You can reach me directly at mandy@gvca.org. Let’s keep building better—together.