Growing up, Zoe Graham-Radford would sketch out house plans. Designing and building things were an early passion of hers, one that eventually led her to the architectural and building technology program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

But during her studies, she found herself drawn more to the hands-on work of construction in the field rather than to design. She eventually graduated in 2010 with a certificate in construction operations and construction supervision.

Today, she’s assistant site superintendent for Wesgroup Properties at The Nelson, a 34-storey residential tower under development at the Brewery District in New Westminster.

She’s the only woman on site.

“It’s breaking the mould,” she said. “Women in the construction industry, in field management, are definitely in the minority.”

The work brings her in contact with an older cohort of largely male supervisors, and while confident in her work, she feels constant pressure to prove herself.

“I am always trying to show that I belong and that I can actually be here,” she said. “That’s a constant battle in my role and my position.”

While the milieu is changing, Graham-Radford says her experience has given her a keen interest in being a role model to others. She knows herself how important support is.

“There are so many job positions and descriptions which can be filled, but women aren’t aware of that in high school and their early childhood years. So it’s not really thought of as an option when you’re younger,” she said.

It was only by talking with others and receiving support that she established a career path for herself.

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