Awards Information
Each year at Dreamer Day, Build a Dream honours industry trailblazers, like-minded companies, and young women and girls who dream big with our Dreamer Day Awards! You can nominate someone or apply for the awards below. Awards will be given out at our Dreamer Day Gala on October 4, 2022.
Please note, honorariums are only awarded to our Elementary School and High School winners.Upon winning, you must send the Build a Dream team the avenue you wish to pursue with the attached receipt or pricing. You will then receive reimbursement for up to $500. The bursary has no cash value and is non-transferable.
Award Winners
Dreamer Award – Elementary School Student
Recognizes an elementary school (grades 7-8) self-identifying girl who has expressed interest in one of Build a Dream’s five pillars (STEM, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Emergency Response, and Skilled Trades) despite the challenges young women entering these fields may face. The recipient of this award will also receive a $500 bursary for pursuing a career or personal development avenue of their choosing.
Upon winning, you must send the Build a Dream team the avenue you wish to pursue with the attached receipt or pricing. You will then receive reimbursement for up to $500. The bursary has no cash value and is non-transferable.
Winner: Sophia Diorio
Dreamer Award – High School Student
Recognizes a high school (grades 9-12) self-identifying girl who has expressed interest in or is actively pursuing one of Build a Dream’s five pillars (STEM, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Emergency Response, and Skilled Trades) despite the challenges young women entering these fields may face. The recipient of this award will also receive a $500 bursary for pursuing a career or personal development avenue of their choosing.
Upon winning, you must send the Build a Dream team the avenue you wish to pursue with the attached receipt or pricing. You will then receive reimbursement for up to $500. The bursary has no cash value and is non-transferable.
A special thank you to the University of Waterloo for generously sponsoring our Dreamer Award – High School Student for the third year in a row!

Winner: Lindsey Bareich
Dream Builder - Woman
Recognizes a self-identifying woman currently employed in either STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Emergency Response, or Skilled Trades who works on the job site and actively advocates for women in male-dominated fields.

Winner: Stephanie Thompson, Technical Manager, Manufacturing Engineering, General Motors Canada and Founder, STEM by Steph
Dream Builder - Man
Recognizes a self-identifying man currently employed in any field who advocates for women in male-dominated fields and strives toward achieving diversity and gender equality in the workplace.
A special thank you to WFS Ltd. for generously sponsoring our Dream Builder – Man Award!

Winner: Joseph Mancinelli, LiUNA International VP and Regional Manager of Central and Eastern Canada
Trailblazer Award
Recognizes a self-identifying, currently employed woman who does not work on the job site but still actively advocates for women in male-dominated fields.
A special thank you to the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793 for generously sponsoring our Trailblazer Award!


Winner: Vanessa Jocko, Community Relations Advisor, Shell Canada Limited
Community Builder (For-Profit)
Recognizes a for-profit company in any sector that strives toward achieving diversity and gender equality in the workplace, provides all employees equal opportunities, and aligns with Build a Dream’s mission, vision, and purpose.
Winner: Re4m Design and Fabrication
Community Builder (Non-Profit)
Recognizes a non-profit company in any sector that strives toward achieving diversity and gender equality in the workplace, provides all employees equal opportunities, and aligns with Build a Dream’s mission, vision, and purpose.