Over 23 years of diversified work experience in various capacities namely, Carpentry, Estimating, Cost Consulting, Financial Assessments, Loan Monitoring, and Payment Verification for a variety of Residential and Commercial Construction Projects. Involved with multiple construction projects and loans ranging between $100K to $250 Million +. He is currently the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Ontario Black Contractors Association (OBCA), a not-for-profit association that is dedicated to serving as a voice for Black Contractors in Ontario, advocating for underrepresented groups and addressing the needs of African Canadians in the construction industry. He is currently the founder, President, and Director of Construction of Randstone Construction, a company that provides solutions for all your residential and commercial construction needs. He is the founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tolliver International Incorporated, a company that provides solutions for all your construction estimating and project management needs. It is the first and currently only majority-owned and operated Black Cost Consulting and Construction Management Company in Canada. He is the former the Director of Construction at Avrance Corp Developments. Ian also has Metis Status and is a descendant of the Mi’kmaq (pronounced meeg maw) Indigenous People in Nova Scotia. In addition, Ian is also a descendant of the American Black slaves and the Jamaican Maroons.

Owner/Managing Director of Kendal Construction Group (KCG) and Chief Procurement Officer at the Ontario Black Contractors Association (OBCA). Tharim began his journey in the skilled trades in the fall of 2018, after a fateful meeting at his day job. While he worked for one of Canada’s top banks during the week, he would use his free time on the weekends to learn new skills. His start in Tile work was clearing and cleaning up after Tile setters while they worked on a multi-level commercial building. Eventually in the summer of 2019 he decided to leave the Banking sector and pursue Construction and Renovation full-time. This proved to be a critical turning point his professional working career. He continued working in this area until the end of 2020, then spent the first 3 months of 2021 at a private college learning Construction Technology. It was after this educational event that he went on to learn Home framing/building, building a few homes under tutelage and then a 3-story townhome in Aurora with a friend. Along the path of his construction career, simultaneously, he ventured into entrepreneurship first as a sole-proprietor, then later incorporating into a business of his own in 2021. Since 2022 I have also gone through learning and growing in renovation work such as, drywall and kitchen installation, flooring, painting, washroom and basement renovation work and more. The path of learning trade skills, which have a direct influence and impact on the environment, have given him the feeling of being reborn. Seeing the world again through a new set of eyes, he has come to appreciate the skilled trades and their power to build the communities we live, work and socialise in, as well as the amenities we use. Now Tharim uses his company as an example of how construction can change the trajectory and focus of a person's life benefiting those around us with the opportunity to help their own families and communities. Through his advocacy as a Director of the OBCA, he wishes to give back to the black construction community from students to seasoned professionals. This will be done by providing a professional space for networking, professional services, educational/certification opportunities, bidding and tendering opportunities, financial support services and products and the chance to leverage our voices collectively for the greater good of the community and beyond.

Natasha Ferguson is a pioneering Canadian entrepreneur, general contractor, and advocate for women in the skilled trades. As the founder and CEO of Ethelfox Construct Group, she leads one of the only full-service construction and development companies in Canada that is wholly owned and operated by a woman. Based in Toronto, Ethelfox Construct Group provides innovative construction, design, and landscaping services for residential homeowners, and has expanded to include divisions specializing in landscaping, demolition, roofing, and electrical work. Natasha’s journey into construction was shaped by her early exposure to the trades, accompanying her father to job sites as a child. Natasha is also the Chief Strategy and Programs Officer at the Ontario Black Contractors Association (OBCA). Before founding Ethelfox Construct Group, she spent 15 years in marketing and advertising, managing creative and technical projects for major brands. Her transition to construction was motivated by personal experiences with sexism and racism in the industry, which inspired her to create opportunities for women and people of colour in a traditionally male-dominated field. Under her leadership, Ethelfox Construct Group has become a model of diversity and inclusion, with women comprising approximately 70% of its workforce, representing a range of ethnicities and backgrounds. The company was named one of the Best Businesses in Canada by the Canadian Business Review Board and has been recognized for its commitment to empowering women in the trades. In 2022, Natasha founded A Women’s Work (AWW) Support Centre, Ontario’s first woman-led, non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women to enter the skilled trades, particularly construction, at no cost. AWW’s flagship training centre in Toronto offers an 8-week pre-apprenticeship program covering foundational skills such as tiling, drywall, framing, roofing, and painting, followed by an 8-week paid job placement with leading industry employers. The program is open to women of all ages, backgrounds, and immigration statuses, and is especially impactful for newcomers to Canada, who make up over 80% of participants. Since its inception, AWW has registered over 450 women, providing them with the training, confidence, and support needed to launch successful careers in the skilled trades. The initiative has received significant government and industry support, including over $2.1 million in funding from the Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund. Natasha Ferguson’s trailblazing work has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network, the 2023 Startup Canada Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the YWCA Toronto Woman of Distinction Award, Ascend Canada 2024 Inclusion Champion, and UBC Equity Diversity & Inclusion Award. She is a sought-after speaker and mentor, regularly sharing her experiences and advocating for greater equity and opportunity for women and people of colour in the construction industry.

Currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Owner of North Service Developments and the Chief Skilled Trades Officer at the Ontario Black Contractors Association (OBCA). I embarked on my career in the construction trades in 2002. Starting off as a Tile Setter and a customer service representative, and also dabbling in estimating for one of the tile companies I was employed by. Who would have known that this was the best set up for what the future would bring. After working for three different tile companies throughout the years. When the last company I worked for slowed down, I took that as an opportunity to explore entrepreneurship. In 2014 I embarked on the journey 1st in a partnership of a home renovation business and in 2020 independently. Starting in 2020 as the CEO of my own entity was liberating. I finally had the opportunity to steer my own ship and make all the decisions. I have been extremely fortunate to be able to create the life I want for myself and family through construction on the ownership side. I’m excited for what the future holds, and I look forward to giving back to the young men and woman that would like to purse the path of construction, especially as entrepreneurs.

Sasha Ramjiawan is a member of the Board of Directors at A Women’s Work Support Center, a non-profit organization committed to empowering women through skilled trades training, advocacy, and community-based initiatives that support pathways to meaningful employment. Sasha is also the Chief Financial Officer at the Ontario Black Contractors Association (OBCA). Mr. Ramjiawan brings a wealth of cross-sector experience to his role, having held senior leadership positions at one of Canada’s major financial institutions. Over the course of his corporate career, he led initiatives across Operations, Corporate Treasury, Finance, Digital Transformation, and Risk Management. Through his governance and advisory contributions, Mr. Ramjiawan plays a key role in shaping strategic priorities and advancing the organization’s mission. He remains a passionate advocate for inclusive economic opportunity and the development of sustainable, skills-based solutions that strengthen communities.