WOMAN IN CONSTRUCTION WINNER KRAMER PROJECT MANAGER AT FOWLER’S
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — Women’s work is never done. And then they go to work.
Jacqui Kramer, a project manager at Fowler Construction, knows that all too well.
That’s just part of the reason why she’s Muskoka’s Woman in Construction winner.
And will be honoured for her more than 30 years in the trades as part of a workforce development project created by the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce and to be awarded on International Women’s Day, March 8.
Her dedication and service will be recognized as part of the YWCA Muskoka’s Women of Distinction Awards night in Huntsville.
Putting Muskoka women centre stage, the Women in Construction award received 30 nominees who were showcased on social and news media and on sheworks.ca, says a chamber release.
They say the project committee was thrilled to see women from across Muskoka nominated in all kinds of trades — from painters and concrete workers to landscapers, roofers and carpenter’s apprentices to operators of heavy equipment.
“I was surprised to be chosen and pleased (about this project) as it helps give a little push for people to try something they’re not accustomed to, and that can help encourage women to go into the trades,” says Kramer. “It shows people they can do anything they want to do.”
Certainly Kramer is a trailblazing example. She has built a long-standing career in road and other civic infrastructure construction, doing everything from laying out where roads should go to getting into water and sewer trenches and running equipment at job sites.
As one judge, Angela Coldwell of Honour the Work says, “30 years as a woman in civil road building is rare! Jacqui strikes me as a women who has blazed the path, showing girls and women that they should be in the construction industry should they choose. Her technical and communication skills, mentorship, reliability, and patience are what young people and those new to the industry need to stay in the industry.”
In fact, Kramer and some of her colleagues, including heavy equipment operator Meredith Boddington who was also nominated, have their own experience supporting women in the trades, having visited elementary school classes to speak about the joys of working in construction.
Judge Melissa Alexander, a floor covering installer and one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the Trades, adds Jacqui’s success isn’t just about technical skills; it’s about leadership, mentorship, and making a lasting impact.
“She embodies everything that’s inspiring about the trades industry with dedication, hard work, and a commitment to helping others succeed. 30 years in civil road building? That’s impressive,” says Alexander.
Honourable mention nominees
The judging panel included multi award-winning women and men in construction themselves. Many from outside of Muskoka. They included Coldwell and Alexander along with millwright Jennifer Green of Skills Ontario, Rick Harris of Work Boot Consulting; and Georgian HVAC Instructor Brandi Ferenc, a 313a Refrigeration Mechanic/Gas Fitter.
The judges used a scoring system and six other women were close to Kramer’s final score and deserve honourable mentions. They are Mack Brown, heavy equipment operator for the District of Muskoka; Melissa Boken, plumber and owner of Kahshe Mechanical; Natalie Bennie, heavy equipment operator for Absolute Landscaping; Lisa Goyea, a concrete wetcaster and assistant manager at Brooklin Concrete; and Bespoke property manager owner and ‘Jake’ of all trades: Jake Goselin.
You can read about all nominees at sheworks.ca
Volunteer project committee members and sponsors of the project included Sherri Scarr, Employment North; Michelle Gladu-Robinson of Robinson Haulage; Jaime Chapman of Fowler Construction; and Rick Harris of Work Boot Consulting with the project led by Norah Fountain, executive director of the Muskoka Lakes Chamber. Fountain also thanks the District of Muskoka’s IDEA program, Bruce Reville, and the TD Bank Group for their financial support.
“First, Jacqui Kramer is so deserving, we’re thrilled for her, and our team found producing all the nominee features to be so inspiring,” says Fountain. “In helping businesses find staff, we have to get creative and sometimes that means suggesting businesses re-think how they recruit, whether that means actively seeking women for what used to be thought of as male-dominated roles only, or recruiting disabled workers, a topic we hope more people will explore with us in a workshop on March 11.”
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