Based in the firm’s Toronto practice, three senior professionals share insights on redefining leadership: steadily dismantling stereotypes while building a team approach to business growth, developing talent and social responsibility.
Directors Marie Foley, Joanne Henson and Saira Muzaffar have been pivotal to BTY’s impressive global growth record over the past decade. Each has leveraged their professional success to ensure the firm stands out amongst its peers, both in terms of representative leadership and a responsive work culture that values equality, while working on some of the world’s largest and most complex development and infrastructure projects.
Over the last decade, BTY has increased the number of women in leadership positions by 30 per cent. Three out of four of the firm’s core services have women leaders at the senior level. In addition, the firm has also increased engaging more women professionals in its recruitment and talent development strategy.
Marie Foley has been with BTY since 2015 and leads the firm’s P3 Advisory Services globally, advising on multibillion‐dollar infrastructure projects across market sectors. She is a member and supporter of two growing industry groups, Women’s Infrastructure Network (WIN) and Women in Energy.
We are committed to building a company without barriers historically faced in the construction industry so we can attract driven, smart individuals. BTY is leading by example in fostering a supportive environment for younger talent to grow and putting open collaboration at the centre of how we mentor and build teams.”
Saira Muzaffar has been with BTY since 2009 and leads the firm’s Marketing and Communications team globally, helping to shape a corporate identity that transcends both services and borders. Saira connects BTY’s expertise to provide solutions for real world social challenges, including affordable housing, transit and healthcare delivery. Saira serves on the board of TechGirls Canada and is a regular volunteer for Women’s Infrastructure Network and LGBT Youthline.
“The leadership of the firm has instilled a welcoming culture that positively impacts everyone. We are a family of diverse backgrounds, gender identities and orientations. This is how we are able to constantly raise the bar in the work we undertake – because we know we can count on one another to deliver great results.”
Joanne Henson originally joined BTY in 2001. She brings impressive experience in the North American P3 industry and is a highly sought‐after expert for complex infrastructure projects. She leads BTY’s Capital Project Monitoring, P3 Certifier Services and Dispute Resolution Services. Her recent mandates include two of the largest projects in Canada, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and the Port Lands Flood Protection project.
“Although there is support to see women and more underrepresented minorities enter the workforce in construction, lasting progress in this direction requires embedding equality thoroughly and systemically. Our industry has a lot to offer in helping build healthy and sustainable communities and cities. We need to make sure construction as a business changes to enable everyone to contribute and build meaningful careers.”
