Qualico Sponsors Habitat for Humanity Manitoba’s Women Build Speaker Series for the Sixth Year Running

Winnipeg, MB – Qualico recently sponsored Habitat for Humanity Manitoba’s Women Build Speaker Series event held on International Women’s Day (March 8), which also coincides with Women’s History Month. It was the sixth time Qualico was the presenting sponsor for the event since its inception in 2018.

Women Build promotes the involvement of women from all walks of life in the construction of Habitat homes by sponsoring and hosting build projects. These women join a shared mission to help families in need of a decent and affordable place to call home. Through mentorship and training, the program also encourages women to assume leadership roles on and off the construction site.

All proceeds from the Speaker Series event will be used toward the construction of the 21^st Women Build home, which will be built this year. Qualico’s support of the event aligns with the company’s corporate responsibility impact areas of gender equality and ending the cycle of poverty, according to David Eggerman, Regional Vice-President, Manitoba & Saskatchewan.

“Through initiatives like the Women Build Speaker Series, we are taking actions to address systemic barriers and biases that hinder gender equality,” said David.

Michele Happy, Fundraising Manager, Habitat for Humanity Manitoba, said Qualico is a long-standing, committed supporter of Women Build and other programs and events at Habitat for Humanity Manitoba.

“I would like to acknowledge and express gratitude for Qualico’s ongoing generosity and support,”
 said Michele. “This sponsorship not only helps the event thrive, but also sends a positive message about the company’s values and priorities. Qualico is more than a sponsor; they are part of our Habitat Manitoba family.”

Manitoba has the longest-running annual Women Build program in Canada, and Grace Karpinsky, Executive Assistant, Qualico Corporate, has been involved with the program since she participated in her first Habitat build in 2009.

“It’s important to note that Women Build is not about the exclusion of men,” said Grace, “it is about the inclusion of people in an environment that makes them feel comfortable and in a manner that works for them when they aren’t the stereotypical or professionally trained construction person.”

Along with helping to address a key aspect of poverty alleviation through supporting affordable housing, the Women Build Speaker Series also provides a platform for successful women to share their stories and inspire others, promoting leadership skills and career advancement opportunities for women.

It also allows Qualico an opportunity to participate in allyship – which, in the context of gender equality, refers to actively supporting and advocating for the rights and advancement of women. Qualico’s continued support of the Women Build Speaker Series event demonstrates its commitment to allyship and advancing gender equality, as well as ending the cycle of poverty, in the community and beyond.