As a Mentor in the workplace, Afaf provides excellent support and guidance in addressing workplace or work/life challenges experienced by mentees. Afaf has worked with a number of diverse mentees like newcomers, youth, and women, and has made significant contributions to educating the next generation of engineers and climate activists. She has taken on numerous roles to help share her knowledge and expertise with others in the industry. Afaf has an in-depth understanding of energy modeling with complex HVAC systems, LEED, passive design, Net-Zero buildings, lifecycle costing and embodied carbon LCAs. Her interdisciplinary background enables her to recommend sustainable design solutions for envelope, mechanical, electrical and renewable systems of new construction and retrofit projects. Afaf is one of Efficiency Canada’s Energy Trailblazers, and recently released her “A Day in the Life of a Sustainability & Climate Manager” campaign. A part of the campaign was a live Q&A session where participants could join to ask their career questions. This event was held on International Women’s Day and had over 130 attendees from numerous countries. This was one of Efficiency Canada’s most successful webinars to date, as it also held a unique twist with Afaf’s perspective of being a newcomer Egyptian woman, mother, and professional in the building industry. She provides clarity and 'tough love' when necessary and motivates and inspires me /makes me want to keep going despite the challenges. Afaf shares a unique perspective in the built environment as she’s an expert on sustainable buildings as has been around the world with her career in construction. She’s studied and worked in green buildings on three continents: Africa, Europe, and North America, which gave her experience designing energy efficient structures in a variety of climates. Since 2016 Afaf Azzouz has gained experience as both a mentor and mentee in the energy efficiency sector. From 2016-2017 Afaf participated in the Engineers Geoscientists Mentorship program for women as both a mentee and mentor. During her time working with Stantec from 2020-2022, Afaf was an active leader in the Quebec/Ontario regions of the company- in this role she mentored a team of over 7+ younger professionals in the Energy sector. After transitioning to her role with Deloitte, from 2022-2023 Afaf participated in another Deloitte-based Mentorship program for women as both a mentee as well as a mentor. In the last year, Afaf volunteered at How to Change the World, a non-profit promoting sustainable careers where she provided countless mentorship sessions and has been approached by over 8 LinkedIn connections for follow-up professional advice. Afaf has been helping them with their career aspirations and connections to help inspire more people to work in the built environment! Afaf has worked with a number of diverse mentees like newcomers, youth, and women, and has made significant contributions to educating the next generation of engineers and climate activists.

Bubba is a Mentor in the workplace, active in Union outreach to underrepresented jobseekers in communities impacted by Covid-19, job loss and poverty, provides excellent support and guidance in addressing workplace or work/life challenges experienced by mentees, provides clarity and 'tough love' when necessary, builds capacity and confidence of mentees to address concerns through union, contractor, or community channels. He shares experiences and examples of problems and solutions regarding systemic and anti-Black racism within the industry and motivates and inspires me /makes me want to keep going despite the challenges. Cameron was a welder for a few years but was injured. With Bubba’s encouragement he now has a new job as a plumber apprentice on the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project in North Cowichan, BC to support his family. “He’s really opening my eyes to this whole new trade [plumbing and pipe fitting] and always encouraging me to stick it out whenever I’ve been struggling to keep up or get it right. He’s always saying to stick it out and you’ll be fine. He’s shared his personal knowledge because he’s come from a plumbing background. It’s really helpful. He told me multiple times that he started out where I am and that he struggled too, but he toughed it out and he’s come a long way. Him sharing his stories helps motivate me to keep going,” said Cameron. Bubba is a respected Quw’utsun traditional speaker and certified Red Seal plumber with over 30 years of experience in the trades. As BCIB’s first Workforce Mentorship Training and Onsite Support Manager, Bubba provides direct support to employees. requiring transition-to-work supports, or support in general, with extra attention to apprentices and Indigenous employees. Cameron also said, “I’d say that his personal knowledge and experiences that he shares are inspiring. He told me that many things in plumbing have changed over the years and most of it is totally new, but he didn’t give up. He kept going. Seeing how far he’s come helps me keep going. He leads by example. He told me multiple times how he struggled and that he toughed it out. He’s proof that I can set a goal and keep it in mind and work hard for what I want.”

Clifton Donegal's journey in the carpentry industry began with his pre-apprenticeship in 1994, just a month after immigrating to Canada. For the past 29 years, he has been a dedicated member of the Carpenters union, where he has not only honed his skills but also served as an instructor for over 16 years. Beyond his professional commitments, Clifton is a true community champion, devoting his time and expertise to various volunteer endeavors, including Habitat for Humanity projects both locally and internationally. His volunteer efforts have taken him to Jamaica, where he has participated in building homes and schools multiple times. Additionally, he has contributed to home-building projects in Haiti, Memphis, and Edmonton, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to giving back and improving the lives of others. Clifton's dedication to community service extends beyond physical labor. For almost a decade, he has been an active member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, where he has played a key role in crafting resolutions aimed at improving the lives of thousands of members in the skilled trades sector. Through his collaborative efforts with various organizations, Clifton has worked to support and guide leaders within their communities, further amplifying his impact on the industry and society at large. In addition to his remarkable volunteer work, Clifton has distinguished himself as a mentor and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the carpentry industry. As a mentor, he has guided and supported numerous individuals, particularly those from underrepresented communities such as women and youth. His tireless advocacy ensures that these groups are given the opportunity to thrive in the trades, thereby promoting inclusivity and advancement. Clifton's commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion extends beyond mentorship. He actively participates in various non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting DEI initiatives within the construction industry. Through his involvement, he advocates for the implementation of community benefit agreements that prioritize the inclusion of marginalized groups in construction projects, creating opportunities for economic empowerment and social advancement. One of Clifton's most significant contributions to mentorship is his role as a master mentor in the NexGen mentorship program for over a decade. In this capacity, he has provided invaluable guidance and support to aspiring carpenters, helping them navigate the complexities of the industry and develop the skills necessary for success. Clifton's dedication to mentoring extends beyond technical skills; he also instills in his mentees the values of integrity, professionalism, and giving back to the community. Clifton Donegal's nomination for the Community Benefits Champion Award is a testament to his exemplary dedication to mentorship and advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the carpentry industry. Through his tireless efforts, he has made significant contributions to the advancement of underrepresented communities and the promotion of DEI initiatives within the construction industry sector. His unwavering commitment to paying it forward and empowering the next generation of tradespersons embodies the spirit of the award and makes him a deserving candidate for this honour.