Last Thursday, the Grand Valley Construction Association’s Women in Construction Committee hosted its annual HERizon banquet—an evening that brought together builders, leaders, advocates, and allies from across Waterloo Region. This year’s event carried a powerful purpose: supporting our PinkPrints Project in aid of the Breast Cancer Support Fund, an organization providing direct financial assistance to women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
The night was filled with stories of resilience, solidarity, and the unmistakable strength that comes from a community willing to stand up for its own.
A Speech That Hit Home
One of the evening’s highlights was a moving address from Beth Marchant, Marketing Manager at Hewson Brothers Building Supply, Vice President of Legacy Builders, breast cancer survivor, and proud member of the GVCA Women in Construction Committee.
Beth shared her own story, beginning her role at Hewson Brothers the very same week she began treatment for Stage 3 metaplastic breast cancer. Where many employers may have hesitated, Hewson Brothers didn’t. They offered flexibility, compassion, and unwavering support, proving that workplaces rooted in empathy truly change lives.
Beth reminded the room of a harsh truth: most women are not met with the same level of support.
The Breast Cancer Support Fund works with women who are often navigating the impossible, choosing between groceries or medication, covering rent or life-saving treatment.
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76% of the families they help live on less than $25,000 a year.
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Half are under the age of 50.
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40%+ are single mothers.
As Beth said, “The financial burden of breast cancer can break a family long before the disease ever does.”
Her message resonated deeply: supporting women in construction goes beyond mentorship, jobsite culture, and career advancement. Sometimes, it’s about showing up when it matters most—during the hardest moments of their lives.
$3,080
Thanks to the generosity of attendees, community partners, and industry leaders, his support isn’t symbolic, it’s life-changing.Every dollar of this will go directly toward helping women in our own communities afford essentials like:
- Groceries
- Rent
- Childcare
- Transportation to treatment
- Utilities
Why Women in Construction Need Strong Allies
HERizon wasn’t just a networking night. It was a reminder that while women in construction continue to break barriers, they shouldn’t have to do it alone.
Beth spoke powerfully about allyship, highlighting that the support she received directly shaped her ability to recover, work, and continue contributing to the industry she loves.
“Progress happens much faster when men are active participants in that change,” she said.
And on Thursday night, it was clear: the men in the room showed up—ready to support, ready to listen, and ready to be part of a more inclusive future for construction.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Sponsors & Donors
A campaign like this is only possible because the construction community stands strong together. We extend our deepest gratitude to the organizations that helped make HERizon 2025 such a meaningful success:
🎗 The Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA)
🎗 Board Boss Drywall
🎗 Future Data Connect (FDC)
🎗 Klass Drywall
🎗 Vedder Construction
Your contributions reflect what our industry does best: lifting each other up, both on and off the jobsite.
Building a More Supportive Future
The HERizon event showcased the very best of our construction community: compassion, leadership, and a commitment to ensuring that no woman faces breast cancer alone. Women in this industry are builders, leaders, tradespeople, innovators, and survivors. But as Beth reminded us, real change accelerates when we work together:
