Planning and building a new state-of-the-art hospital campus in Ottawa is not a one-man job — nor, for that matter, a one-woman job — as an audience heard at last night’s sold-out CityBuildHERS featuring the female leadership team that’s been guiding the way at The Ottawa Hospital.

Two hundred women, mostly from construction, design, development and real estate, learned about the behind-the-scenes efforts, consultation sessions, and collaborative decision-making that have helped shape this historic project, which was first conceived almost two decades ago. They listened to an all-women panel discussion featuring the hospital’s executive vice president and chief planning and development officer, Joanne Read, and its executive director of planning and development, Karen Stockton.

The leaders were joined by Hydro Ottawa’s vice president of distribution system planning and asset management, Laurie Heuff, who discussed their partnership in building a high-efficiency, net-zero-carbon central utility plant at the city’s largest-ever health infrastructure project.

As well, attendees learned about career journeys, whether described as a steady climb up a ladder or a more flexible jungle gym. The panel discussions also included Smith + Andersen engineer/principal Elaine Guenette, BBB Architecture senior project director Tessa Kampman, Entuitive associate Sam Lane — a leader in sustainable performance — and PCL’s manager of special projects, Melissa Houle.

Read had previously worked at Nortel, serving as director of operations and in other roles, before joining The Ottawa Hospital in 2009 and going on to earn her Executive MBA at the University of Ottawa. Initially, she knew little about healthcare but immersed herself in the hospital environment by job-shadowing a broad spectrum of hospital staff – including a physician during an overnight stint in the emergency department. “When you’re joining an organization you know nothing about, get right on that front line with individuals,” she advised.

The Ottawa Hospital’s new 2.5-million-square-foot facility — expected to open in the next three to four years — will be located along Caring Avenue, near Prince of Wales Drive and Preston Street. Of the roughly $2.8 billion price tag, the community is being asked to help raise $500 million through the hospital foundation’s Campaign to Create Tomorrow.

The foundation’s chief development officer, Jennifer Van Noort, CFRE, told the room what a “privilege and joy” it’s been for her and her colleagues to be part of the project. It didn’t matter that her mic wasn’t working — her enthusiasm was loud and clear on its own.

CityBuildHERS was co-founded in 2023 by Jennifer Cross , business development lead at MARANT Construction, and Kristen Buter , vice-president of property management at Mastercraft Starwood (SoHo Rentals). A driving force behind the marketing component is Shelley True, founder and president of TRUEdotDESIGN.

Part of what makes their events so unique is the fun and engaging way that they host them, along with the cool venues and settings. Last night, CityBuildHERS was held at a restored and repurposed former industrial building located in the mixed-used waterfront community Zibi.

One of the goals of CityBuildHERS is to help elevate women’s profiles in a male-dominated industry. “We believe you can’t be what you can’t see,” said Cross. “This belief is what makes us passionate about creating spaces where all of us can thrive.”

While CityBuidHERS is geared toward women, organizers took a moment to recognize and appreciate the support of male colleagues. Buter paid special tribute to her closest male ally: the late Lino Bassi (BGC Construction and Restoration) who passed away suddenly last week. He was 54. He’d been “one of my favourite people and dearest friends over the last 15 years,” said Buter.

Attendees were encouraged to stay after the panel discussion to continue networking and to make new connections that might help them in their careers. Construction is a very collaborative industry, Cross reminded the room.

“You cannot do a project alone; it’s not like you get a file and you go, ‘Okay, I got this’,” said Cross. “You need a whole bunch of people to be successful in any role that you have in this industry.”