RC119 JulyAugust 2025 - Magazine - Page 9
SONIA RECCHIA
complex projects for the people of Ontario, while navigating unprecedented challenges.
Angela has expertly navigated the most complex
challenges facing IO and the infrastructure sector at large.
Upon her return to IO in April 2021 as President of Project
Delivery, Angela led her team through the unprecedented
challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while spearheading
the most ambitious infrastructure investment program in
Canada. Her leadership has been instrumental in adapting IO’s project delivery program to meet the demands
of a rapidly changing market and increasingly complex
projects.
During the intervening years, from 2015 to 2021, she
was group head, Buildings Division with Plenary Group,
overseeing the design, construction, operations, and maintenance of all Plenary building projects in North America.
She spent her early career in property and asset management, working for Brook昀椀eld LePage Johnson Controls for
nine years where she managed outsourced facility management contracts for national clients.
Angela has been a key member of the in昀氀uential industry
organization, the Future of Infrastructure Group, advising
the Minister of Infrastructure on various industry issues,
including Infrastructure Ontario’s evolution. A passionate
advocate for diversity in the construction industry, she has
also served as a member of the Women’s Infrastructure Network for the past eight years. She currently is a member of
the Toronto chapter steering committee.
Emerging Leader—Holynde Smiechowski
“I did not realize what it meant to me when I was 昀椀rst nominated for the Emerging Leader Award,” said Smiechowski.
“Being honoured amongst so many incredible female leaders across Canada was its
own award. Becoming a 昀椀nalist, that felt like
the cherry on top. Winning this award, it felt
like a dream that came true. Now that I’ve
had time to re昀氀ect on this, being recognized
as the 2025 Emerging Leader means the
world.
“I am incredibly proud and love the work
I do. When people ask me what I do, I often
joke and say, ‘I play real world Lego.’ Its
challenging, has its ups and downs, and
an ability to continuously teach you knew
things.
“The wins achieved in construction are
often seeing that concept on a piece of paper
turn into that physical functioning object.
That satisfying feeling of seeing it in operation and knowing, I helped build that.
“The true win is the people I get to work
with, learn from and mentor. My receipt of
this award is a testament to all those amazing people.”
With over 12 years of experience in the
construction industry, Smiechowski has
successfully led a diverse range of projects
across various contract types, including
retro昀椀ts and new builds in the health, commercial, private, and civil sectors. Her ability
to balance intricate details with a strategic,
big-picture perspective has established
her as a leader in design, constructability,
planning, contract administration, risk management, productivity, pro昀椀tability, commissioning, quality, and safety. Her collaborative
work style, strategic thinking, and passion
for technology have driven innovation and
昀椀eld adoption within her company. She is a
respected mentor and teacher who fosters an
inclusive environment where teams thrive
and learn. Her dedication to developing
others, combined with the adversity she has
overcome, drives her to pave the way for
women in infrastructure while contributing
signi昀椀cantly to the industry’s evolution.
ANASTASIIA ORLOVA/KLIRI VISION
RENEWCANADA.NET
JULY/AUGUST 2025 – RENEW CANADA 9
