Kalen Taylor, the executive director of Purpose Construction is a leading advocate for the social enterprise sector, social procurement and community benefits agreements in Manitoba. As a member the We Want to Work coalition, they have been integral in establishing the City of Winnipeg's first social procurement office. https://wewanttowork.ca/ Purpose Construction provides skilled trades training and long-term jobs to people with barriers to employment, offers living wages and a full benefits package, and offers a supportive work environment. https://www.purposeconstruction.ca/ Indigenous People. Newcomers to Canada. Single mothers. People with criminal records. Purpose believes in second chances. They believe everyone deserves an opportunity to build a new life for themselves and their families. Since it began in 2010, Purpose Construction has completed $17,407,593.00 in contracts and employed 406 individuals. Based on an independent third-party social impact analysis, for every $1 spent on services at Purpose Construction, they return $4.29 in positive social impact. Purpose construction is an impact focused social enterprise. By training and employing hard working people with barriers to employment, Purpose Construction is reducing government social assistance costs, reducing recidivism rates, bringing families back together, and helping people build stable, healthy lives. Purpose Construction is a social enterprise that houses various trades-based services such as, energy efficiency retrofits, property, maintenance, demolition, salvage and bug removal. Each service, stream requires different skills and therefore represents different employment opportunities. Many participants represent First Nations community and face multiple barriers to employment. These barriers may include: a lack of work experience, limited formal education and undeveloped interpersonal skills that are often essential to achieve long term employment. Many will also have experienced criminal justice involvement. People thrive as a part of Purpose as a result of supportive environment. MGR employees are able to access one-on-one coaching on a wide variety of issues, from financial planning to addressing minor convictions, to accessing services to address an addiction, mental health or housing issues.

Paul Garibotti, the visionary President and owner of Northfleet, is transforming the traditionally European-dominated concrete floor industry. His open-minded, future-focused approach prioritizes diversity and inclusion, making them central to Northfleet's success as reflected in our company motto “Our strength is our people” Paul's leadership has turned Northfleet into a beacon of inclusivity, celebrating culturally significant dates like Eid and Chinese New Year, allowing employees to honor these occasions with their loved ones. Since Northfleet's inception, Paul has increased the number of women in the business by 600%, demonstrating his commitment to gender diversity in a male-dominated field. Paul pairs younger employees with seasoned professionals, fostering mentorship and rapid skill development. Notably, he has nurtured Tiffany Ongtenco, a young woman of color, helping her assume leadership roles through both internal and external coaching. Paul also engages immigrant communities, providing them opportunities within the company and pairing them with experienced employees to learn valuable skills. His initiatives integrate them into the workforce, creating a more inclusive environment. Championing women and people of color in leadership, Paul's support has driven significant improvements in sales and profitability. His inclusive approach inspires others to see themselves in the industry, fostering a diverse and dynamic workforce. Paul Garibotti is a trailblazer, setting new standards for business operations. His dedication to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion makes him a strong candidate for the Employer Award. At Northfleet, every voice is heard, and every opinion is valued, proving that diversity drives innovation and growth.