Community Involvement and Volunteerisn
Sandi has worked to continually improve herself and her career through business, education, association and community involvement. She has always been recognized for her business accomplishments by being sought out and hired for newly created positions and challenges. She travelled extensively as a representative for the National Kitchen and Bath Association. She was elected to the NKBA’s Board of Governors and represented that position on the Executive Board. She held several positions on the Niagara Home Builder’s Association Board of Directors, one of them being the first female Vice President, as well as numerous committee positions.
Sandi was a founding member of the Niagara College Women’s Golf Classic which raised scholarships funds for students. She holds a position on the organizing committee of the Community Leaders Ladies Invitational which raises funds for the new regional cancer care centre. She is a proud member of the Small Business Club Niagara, Women in Niagara and the Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce. Recently she became a Business Mentor for the WEMIN program. In 2007 she participated in the Business Development Centre’s entrepreneurs SEB program at Niagara College and launched her own company, Gogirlgolf, in 2007. Gogirlgolf is organizing and presenting the 2008 Legendary Ladies Golf Classic in support of the Pajama Program.
A woman, especially at an executive level, is extremely unique in the construction industry. Sandi was a member of the Niagara Home Builders Association for 12 years and held a position on the Board of Directors for many of those years. She speaks at career week at Father Hennepin School to encourage young people to consider a “Trades in Construction” career and inspire girls to get involved in construction and business.
Through her volunteer efforts Sandi has indirectly helped many people and causes in the Niagara Region. In addition to her efforts mentioned above, Sandi also volunteers at her daughter’s school in Niagara Falls. She administers the Campbell’s Labels for Education program, organizes and collects books for the Used Book Fair which raises money for books and equipment for the library. She has volunteered for 8 years on the Christmas Raffle and Santa Shop committee which provides the school children opportunities to Christmas shop for their families. All of the money raised is donated to Project Share.
Sandi’s career positions, held in male dominated industries, have set an example for other women who may not have thought it was possible for them to achieve. She has a passion for business enterprise and feels that there are endless possibilities for women. Encouraging disadvantaged women who have experienced barriers to employment is a priority for Sandi. She strongly believes that all women can experience equality through courage, confidence, knowledge and professionalism. It is important for Sandi to lead by example and feels that the example she sets should encourage people to strive to continually improve both personally and professionally and do whatever they can to contribute back to the community, no matter how big or small that contribution is.
As a Business Mentor, Sandi provides support and encouragement to her protégé to attain personal and professional independence and success. She has always encouraged the people who have worked with her to present themselves with the utmost professionalism and to be the best they can be. It is very important to Sandi to help others achieve and to give back to her own community by volunteering and supporting many charitable endeavours like the NHS’s “It’s our time” campaign, Project Share, the Pajama Program, Tender Wishes, the YWCA, and the Arthritis Society to mention a few.