From Arctic Beginnings to Global Projects: Leslie's Story

In this podcast episode, Diane interviews her long-time friend and mentor, Leslie Merrithew, a successful civil engineer in the transportation construction industry. Leslie recounts her journey from dreaming of being a math teacher to navigating a unique career path. She discusses the importance of having champions in her career, and how she used opportunities to build valuable skills and networks. Leslie highlights significant projects, such as the Iqaluit Airport and Bermuda Airport, her imposter syndrome struggles, and the power of embracing diversity. She also shares her passion for moving to new places and building communities while offering advice on networking and career growth for young women in construction.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

03:01 Early Aspirations and Career Beginnings

06:12 University Journey and First Job

08:49 Landing the Iqaluit Airport Project

11:40 Opportunities and Challenges in the North

20:29 Leading a Diverse Team

32:47 Embracing New Places and Building Communities

35:37 Effective Networking

39:57 Advice for Young Professionals in Construction

Welcome to the debut episode of Building Your Story podcast, hosted by Diane. Diane introduces herself, sharing her background as a project manager in the construction industry, her journey from Paris to the far north of Canada, and her work across various settings over the last nine years. She reflects on the challenges and opportunities she has faced as a woman in construction and unveils the mission of the podcast: to spotlight the inspiring stories of women in the industry—from engineers and CEOs to site superintendents and project managers. Join Diane as she embarks on this journey to celebrate the strength, resilience, and authenticity of women in construction, and invites the audience to contribute and participate in future episodes.

00:00 Welcome to Building Your Story Podcast

01:55 Meet Your Host: Diane's Journey

03:05 Challenges and Triumphs in Construction

03:59 The Mission of Building Your Story

05:17 Join the Conversation