Abigail Fulton B.A. LL.B
Executive Director
Abigail Fulton is the Executive Director of the Construction Foundation, a Canadian charity focused on building the next generation of skilled workers. A lawyer by profession, Ms. Fulton has extensive experience working with industry and government on regulatory and policy issues impacting the construction industry. Throughout her career, Ms. Fulton has been very active in promoting industry training, apprenticeship and supporting workforce development, with an emphasis on labour market attachment for women, indigenous peoples, newcomers to Canada and youth at risk. Prior to moving to BC in 1998, Ms. Fulton practiced law in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Therese Hagen
Indigenous Relations Lead
Therese brings her experience from the private sector, provincial government and First Nations to the table. She holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Victoria where she graduated with honours. She has worked in policy analysis, government communications, hospitality and tourism, health administration and First Nations Band Administration. She is trained in public speaking, drug and alcohol counselling and crisis communications. In her spare time, Therese dedicates her life to family and to personal healing. She is blessed with a partner of 25 years, two teenage boys and family in Norway, BC and the Yukon. Deeply connected to the land, she gets out to the mountains and ocean whenever she can - to reconnect and to listen to the still voice that lies within.
Colleen McConnell
Director of Public Relations
Colleen McConnell is the Director of Public Relations for the Construction Foundation of BC. As a strategic leader and team member, she is organized and focused on reaching organizational objectives, while remaining responsive to external influences and change. In her previous experience as an event producer, she had the opportunity to travel and work across Canada and the US. Her first in-depth exposure to the industry came when she traveled to Japan with the World Skills Canada delegation to plan and activate on the event site. In early 2010, she joined the BC Construction Association as Director of Communications where she contributed to the launch of BidCentral, as well as many other initiatives. Before joining the Construction Foundation, Colleen worked for a hospitality group in Calgary Alberta, where she led a high performing event production and sales team.
Allison Ainsley
Community Engagement & Logistics Manager
Allison has worked in the non-profit sector as an event manager, community engagement professional and a business owner for over 15 years with a concentration on project management, community engagement, strategic event planning and social entrepreneurship.
With a BA in Anthropology and several years of international work and travel under her belt, Allison brings a unique perspective to her work. Passionate about communities built with diversity and inclusion, she thrives on working in teams that collaborate to ensure meaningful outcomes. Having worked on numerous projects with organizations such as the YMCA and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, she joins the team at the Construction Foundation of BC in the role of Community Engagement Specialist.
Shane Roy
Career Catalyst
Shane Roy is a member of the Big Stone Cree Nation located, in Alberta’s Treaty 8 territory. His Cree mother and Tsimshian father raised him in Fort St. John, BC, where he started his Apprenticeship in the Automotive Industry. Shane joined the Foundation as a Career Catalyst and believes in the work of supporting career road map development. Shane previously learned how to Grass Dance which is integral to his sense of honor in being an Indigenous man.
Tara Whitney
Consultant
Ms. Whitney brings vast experience and knowledge of Indigenous culture as a member of the Tsuu T’ina Nation and as an industry representative working with Indigenous communities across the prairies.
In the early part of her career, Ms. Whitney completed a Teacher’s Assistant Certificate Program through the University of Calgary and worked in the school system in her community for six years. Through this early career experience, she learnt the value of how working at the grassroots levels with individuals to help them see their potential can create positive growth and change at a community level.
Ms. Whitney has much experience working with industry and community engagement and believes that industry and Indigenous Communities can work together in an environmentally sound and mutually beneficial way.
As former president of her company, TEN Consulting Services, she has worked on several projects on behalf of industry and Indigenous Communities to support capacity development and bridge gaps between industry, government and training institutes. Ms. Whitney has also worked on behalf of Indigenous Communities to assist in community development projects. Of the many projects her company has been involved in, a highlight is her time spent on the Northern Gateway Project from 2008 to 2016. Ms. Whitney was the lead in Alberta working with Indigenous Communities potentially impacted by the projects footprint, to develop and facilitate training programs with the goal of building a skilled labour force to participate in current and upcoming projects. Through this work, Ms. Whitney developed an even greater understanding of the importance of working with communities at the grass roots level to foster community sustainability.
Although Ms. Whitney spent time with other pipeline companies as an employee, she is eager for the opportunities to work as a public servant for Indigenous communities again.
Daria Lysenko
Settlement Services Community Catalyst
Daria Lysenko joined the CFBC team as a Settlement Services Community Catalyst to support newcomers to Vancouver Island in October 2022. She is Ukrainian with more than 10 years of experience in human rights. She has a legal background and a degree in historical sciences. For many years, Daria has been actively working with non-profit organizations, defending the interests of internally displaced persons, and providing social services to the population affected by the war in Ukraine. She also has extensive experience in human resources, which allows her to easily recognize barriers to career growth and help clients successfully overcome them.
James Nielsen
Communications & Public Relations
James has been involved with the Construction Foundation of BC since 2019 and now assists the communications department with written and photography content. James also helps manage CFBC’s social media platforms and public relation outreach efforts. Sports have played a major role in James’ career, with communication and multimedia experience at the amateur and professional levels of soccer, surfing, rugby, pickleball and collegiate athletics. James grew up “helping” his father and grandfather with various bricklaying projects throughout his childhood. Following secondary school, he gained experience as an apprentice electrician before returning to school for communications. James lives with his wife, Amanda and their two cats in Victoria, BC.
Michelle Canaday B. Ed. M. Ed.
Director of First Nations Initiatives
Michelle resides in Kamloops and is a member of Stuctuws (Bonaparte Community) located in the Secwepemc Nation. Michelle has worked in First Nations Education as a Teacher, Principal and a FNESC/FNSA Regional Principal. She has completed her Bachelor of Education and Masters in Educational Leadership. Michelle has worked with over 20 First Nations Communities in BC, supporting education and communities as they grow their circle of strong and proud First Nations Learners. Community and relationships are important to Michelle and she is excited to continue to support communities as they build educational pathways and opportunities that will lead to life-long careers.
Dean Heron
Indigenous Skills, Artist in Residence
Dean is Kaska/Tlingit and member of the Wolf Clan from Liard, Yukon. He has been a professional artist since 1993. He graduated from the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art - First Nations Fine Arts 2 year program with honours in 2008. Encouraged to teach, he was an instructor and program coordinator for the Freda Diesing School in Terrace, B.C. for 7 years before returning to Victoria in 2017 He has gone on to demonstrate and teach at workshops in the communities and abroad. As the Indigenous Skills, Artist in Residence, he enjoys demonstrating access to skilled trades to youth through creating art.
Jordan Perrault
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Jordan brings a mix of experiences working in industry and with youth programming. He completed a research degree in International Development Studies in Lund, Sweden before returning to Canada to work as a carpenter’s helper in commercial construction. Jordan has lead youth programming for the United Way Greater Victoria's Youth in Action initiative as well as a on a volunteer basis developing youth Ultimate programming. Before joining the Foundation, he was working on BC Construction Associations workforce development initiatives. Jordan has lived in the Middle East and Europe and has a passion for building strong community locally and internationally.
Justin Young
All Roads Catalyst
Justin Young aka Thunder Sky is a Heart Speaker, Circle Keeper, walking a life of healing, self-development, and so much love. He has grown through a life of generational trauma, loss of his parents, foster homes, and many forms of abuse and addictions. He was once a lost soul, who has made a choice to become the change he was seeking in the world. The day he became a Father 12 years ago, he made a promise to his little girl that he was going to make the world a better place for her to grow in. A year after her birth he quit drinking and drugging, to begin his healing. He learned about the gift of asking for help, finding Choices Seminars, AA, and many other supports available to him. He committed to a walk of healing from Kamloops BC, to Bloodvein MB a 2400 K walk along number one highway, he walked for 7 and a half months, walking back to were his life began, facing his past, reaching into himself, connecting with the little boy within himself as man of healing, forgiveness and love, that he was becoming. Since his walk of healing he has been working with indigenous urban youth, as a youth worker, youth facilitator, now a youth program developer/coordinator in Kamloops BC. He has been attending Thompson Rivers University for 8 years now in his 4th year of studies working on General Studies BA. He has been an Indigenous Peer Mentor for 5 years at Thompson Rivers University, supporting his fellow students as they grow through university. He was also hired as a Transition’s Day coordinator at the university where he works with school districts around the province, bringing their high school students into the university for a two-day trip learning about university. He has had the great pleasure of traveling to over 50 indigenous communities where he speaks about healing, and hosting healing circles, facilitating experiential learning processes were humans have the opportunity to connect with their inner selves. He is a man of passion, a heart of love, a willingness to do what it takes to change the world for his daughter and all around him to grow stronger in connection together. Meegwich.
Chelsea Woodford
Finance Assistant
Chelsea Woodford is a descendant of the Norway House Cree Nation and has a passion for the Construction Foundation’s Indigenous initiatives. Chelsea is the Foundation’s Finance Assistant and is also the cheerful voice you hear when you call the office. Chelsea holds a certificate in Office Administration and has future plans to pursue a degree in accounting. She enjoys spending her spare time hiking, camping, fishing, and hanging out with family.
Patsy Greyeyes, BSW
Catalyst, Indigenous Communities
Patsy, traditionally named, Spirit Woman, was born and raised in Fort St. John, British Columbia and is a member of Bigstone Cree Nation in Wabasca, Alberta.
In her role as a Career Catalyst with Construction Foundation, she works one-on-one with First Nations communities across the province. In 2005, Patsy obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Northern British Columbia. Since that time, she has worked with Indigenous people and communities in a variety of capacities.
Patsy is a mother of four and kohkum (grandmother) of 2. Her interests include Indigenous culture, law, hockey, and music. On weekends you can find her at a hockey game cheering on her nosim (grandson), Gabriel or at a pow wow.
Keri Taylor
Manager of Operations with Indigenous Programs
Keri has joined CFBC from supporting educational school systems within Indigenous communities. She enjoys working with students on skill development and furthering their educational pathways. “Educational journeys can be complicated, but with SMART goals it will be a successful process”
Michelle Anderlini
Project Manager, Coast Capital Road to Red Seal
Thirty years ago Michelle was first introduced to the trades, working closely with apprentices and employers to identify skilled trades training opportunities. In her role with CFBC, Michelle is specifically responsible for establishing, implementing and overseeing the Road to Red Seal program. Prior to joining CFBC, Michelle served as Manager of Completions with ITA, her role was to identify common barriers and find solutions to reduce those barriers within apprenticeship. Michelle worked as Manager of Apprenticeship Services with BC Construction Industry Training Organization where she worked directly with apprentices, industry stakeholders, training providers, and employer sponsors to improve continuation and remove barriers for apprentices in BC. Michelle also worked for RCABC Educational Foundation assisting, training and finding employment for Apprentices.
Kim Crevatin RCIC
Director of Operations
Kim brings more than 20 years of industry experience to her role as Director of Operations. From receptionist to bookkeeper to executive assistant she understands the importance of being well organized in the workplace. Kim was instrumental in purchasing and distributing more than $3M in shop class equipment to high schools across BC through the Foundation’s Project Shop Class initiative.
Kim is also a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and a member in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council. In the fall of 2013 she organized and managed a Western Canada Construction Job Fair in the UK and Ireland for more than 25 Canadian employers that drew more than 2,800 people.
Being of Cree descent and spending her teen years as a youth in care Kim has a genuine passion for the initiatives the Foundation is currently pursuing.
Dave Lovisa, RSE TD
Skills and Trades Training Coordinator
A proud Red Seal carpenter and qualified instructor of the Carpenter Apprenticeship Technical Training programs. A life-long passion for the skilled trades, who apprenticed with a small-town contractor, Lovisa learned all aspects of residential construction. At 23 years of age, he was a licensed journeyman and started his first construction company. His career took him across Canada, gaining valuable experience in other sectors of the trades, including commercial, industrial, and institutional construction.
Self-employed most of his career, Lovisa has been a strong advocate of apprenticeship training, having mentored numerous apprentices over the years. Helping to advance the trades and quality construction, he has served on many committees and associations, including provincial carpentry advisory committees, district building associations serving as president, safety committees, as well as municipal planning and economic development groups.
As a dedicated member of the Foundation, Lovisa continues to promote and guide others in their journey into the skilled trades. Great rewards come from being a tradesperson and seeing a job well done. Lovisa encourages young people to learn about and enter that trades – that where his experience, passion and love the trades can help.
Rene Ragetli B.Ed. M.A.
Director of Project Operations
René Ragetli is a teacher by profession. Following his years as a classroom teacher, René worked in construction, managing commercial and residential projects. He then brought this education and industry background to Skills Canada where he coordinated the regional and provincial competitions and developed and managed new career exploration programs for five years. René joined the Construction Foundation in the summer of 2017.
René is active as a volunteer and currently serves on the boards of two community groups.
Kathi Dickie
Catalyst, Indigenous Communities
Kathi Dickie began work with the Construction Foundation in January 2021. Trained as a teacher through Simon Fraser University, Kathi has a background that spans the depth and breadth of services and programs for her community of the Fort Nelson First Nation and for Indigenous people in general.
Born, raised, and living in her community in Northeastern BC, (Treaty 8 territory) provided Kathi with a broad range of experiences and opportunities in the area, the region, and within BC. She’s been involved in the social – wholistic health – education – economic development, political.
The daughter of Harry and Adeline Dickie, she followed in her Father’s footsteps and was the first woman to serve as Chief Councillor for her Nation. This lay a path for other women to take this leadership position. She has had much interaction with all levels of government and with industry in many different sectors. Being based in a resource-rich area of BC, she has worked with others to advance participation of the indigenous community and people in the economy.
Her mother is a model of self-reliance and in that in times of poverty, Adeline created an income from her indigenous handicrafts and art. She found a way to a participate in the economy by using her talents as an Indigenous artisan.
Nine of her immediate family, including herself, are Residential School survivors. She thinks it’s very important that all Canadians learn about this dark part of Canadian history to ensure the mindset that created residential schools is a thing of the past and will remain in the past. She believes in the foundation of Treaty 8 in which we all learn to live together in peace and share the land; that we all prosper while ensuring all resource development is sustainable and with maximum benefits going to the citizens.
Kathi is very excited to work with the Construction Foundation as their Mission and their Purpose aligns with her beliefs.
Megan Rosso
Communications & PR Coordinator
Megan Rosso is a Carrier Sekani woman from the Lake Babine Nation in the Northern Interior of British Columbia. She comes from the house of the Firekeepers and belongs to the Caribou Clan. Megan is the energetic communications and public relations coordinator with Construction Foundation. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications with Simon Fraser University, where she discovered her passion for storytelling and information sharing. You may see Megan at our networking events with camera in hand developing the story of the day.
Jenny Nadeau
Director of Outreach and Community Programs
Jenny comes to the Construction Foundation with a wealth of experience in the non-profit community services sector. With a deeply held commitment to harm reduction in all its complexities, the bulk of her experience has been working alongside individuals living with homelessness and addiction concerns. She has had the privilege of providing case management, advocacy, and frontline crisis response to Victoria’s resilient populations for 15 years. Jenny is passionate about creating spaces of belonging and opportunities for wellness within our marginalized and underserved communities.
When not immersed in her work, she can be found dancing with her two little ones, studying plant medicine, and disappearing into the forest.
“You must understand… I am ordinary. Painfully ordinary. This is not modesty. This is fact. Maybe you’re ordinary, too. If so, I honor your ordinariness, your humanness, your spirituality. I hope you will honor mine. That ordinariness is our bond, you and I. We are ordinary. We are human. The creator made us this way. Imperfect. Inadequate. Ordinary … We are not supposed to be perfect; we’re supposed to be useful”. (Peltier, 1999)
Wendy Churchill
Finance Assistant
Wendy is the finance assistant at CFBC and brings with her over twenty-four years of experience in accounts payable for construction industry organizations.
Wendy is originally from Portugal Cove, Newfoundland and moved to Victoria twenty-six years ago and has called it home ever since. In her spare time, you can find her hiking, biking and enjoying the great outdoors in BC.
Wendy is also the friendly voice you hear when you call the Victoria office, so say Hi the next time you call!
Kandi Kozler
Manager of Operations
Kandi has joined the Foundation from an employment services background and brings passion and energy in creating a supportive work environment for her team.
In the early years of her career, she worked within charitable organizations as a community engagement and event management professional to inspire giving and funding opportunities to support health care for all British Columbians.
Kandi has always believed it is important to provide youth with opportunities to explore different career paths and is excited to be a part of an organization that creates a supportive learning environment for all future generations and their journey to a successful career.