SHCA Infrastructure Summit 2025 WofA Canada Panel Discussion
Women in Heavy Construction – Building the Future
Event Details:
- SHCA Infrastructure Summit 2025
- Panel discussion
- Date Recorded: December 3, 2025
Panel discussion on:
- The unique strengths women bring to construction teams
- Workplace accommodations that support women’s success
- Strategies to encourage more inclusive hiring practices
- Personal stories and insights from the field
Biographies of Panel Participants
Moderator: Ania Anthony
Ania Anthony is a pavement and materials engineer with more than 25 years of experience, and she is also the founding member and Chairwoman for Women of Asphalt Canada. Ania works as Director of Materials and Surfacing Unit at the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways, and her team works on provincial standards for roads, ensuring quality of road materials, and managing the ministry’s sand and gravel sources.
Ania holds a Master of Science degree in Pavement Materials, and she is and active technical contributor in the Canadian asphalt industry. She is currently the Past Chair of the Pavements Committee for the Transportation Association of Canada, an associate editor for the Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, and a Past President and Honorary Member of the Canadian Technical Asphalt Association.
Panelist: Colleen Munro
As an established business owner in heavy construction and a proven entrepreneurial innovator, Colleen Munro is president of The Munro Group of Companies. She is an influential and a respected female leader in a male-dominated industry, recognized internationally for women in leadership advocacy. Four decades later (and counting!) Colleen earned her extraordinary success by guiding a legacy construction company through an excruciating, yet groundbreaking period of innovation, that has seen The Munro Group expand into successful new ventures. Colleen is a sought-after advisor and speaker for her business acumen and personal perspective that grounds her as she navigates it all.
Panelist: Vanessa Toy
Vanessa is a Senior Project Manager for Prairie Road Solutions with over 28 years of experience in the transportation industry. She has experience in the areas of surveying, materials testing, design and project management for highway, airport, and culvert projects. Prior to joining PRS in 2023, Vanessa worked for Ministry of Highways in the Construction Branch for 26 years starting as a field technician and eventually working her way up to Senior Project Manager. She graduated from SaskPolytech with a diploma in Water Resources Engineering Technology in 1997 and a degree in Construction Management in 2020. Vanessa is married with one daughter and spends most of her free time driving her to the dance studio or travelling across North America with her to dance competitions.
Panelist: Nicolle Walker
Nicolle is a retired Heavy Equipment Operator with roughly 25 years in the Roadbuilding/construction/Oil& Gas Industries.
Her training has all been “On the Job”. After achieving a masters degree on the Shovel & Rake, she was offered a chance to run a Finishing Roller on her paving crew and literally “Jumped on it”. Since then she has logged 1000s of hours on various equipment such as Skidsteer, Wheel Loader, Scrapers, Rock Quarry Trucks, and Compaction Equipment. Nicolle believes that there is a huge place for women in this Industry, women can thrive in it, and empower other women who choose this Career.
Panelist: Kaleigh Oglestone
Kaleigh’s journey in construction began as a teenager shoveling gravel into basements—a humble start that sparked a lifelong passion for construction. After graduating from SAIT with a diploma in Geomatics Technology, she launched her career as a civil technologist and never looked back.
With 20 years of experience in construction and 15 years at Aecon, Kaleigh has held diverse roles including Surveyor, Project Manager, and Estimator. Today, she serves as Estimating Manager for the Highways Transportation group, bringing deep expertise and insight to every project.
Outside of work, Kaleigh lives on a farm with her husband and is dedicated to encouraging young people to explore careers in construction. As a proud member of Women of Asphalt since 2020 and one of the first members of its Canadian chapter, she works to show that construction is a rewarding, exciting, and impactful industry—full of opportunities for those willing to roll up their sleeves.