In recognition of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8th), join MCABC for an insightful panel featuring women in the mechanical trades. This #coffeetalk will explore the unique challenges and opportunities that women or other underrepresented groups may face navigating a career in the trades.

Share your own stories and insights while learning from others about navigating and succeeding in careers within the trades. Together, we can break down barriers and build a stronger, more inclusive future for the mechanical contracting industry.

Meet our Panelists

Maddie Davidson - Service Manager, Davidson Bros. Mechanical

Maddie has been immersed in the mechanical contracting industry from a young age, having grown up with family in the business. After university, Maddie started in the family business as a Project Coordinator and assumed several roles in the office, spanning from operations to management, for over 16 years. She now leads the service division as a Service Manager at Davidson Bros.

As an MCABC Board Director and Past Chair of the NextGen Board, Maddie links the present with the future. She is a strong advocate for elevating awareness of the trades amongst the younger generation. While each of the 10 mechanical trades may experience different challenges, she acknowledges industry as a whole faces shared obstacles, such as labour shortages. Maddie is also part of MCAC's Women in Mechanical Contracting (WiMC), a national committee focused on removing barriers and fostering a more inclusive environment for everyone in the industry.

Helena Michelis - General Manager, Entity Mechanical Ltd.

With a distinguished 22-year career in the mechanical industry, Helena Michelis brings a wealth of expertise in mechanical sales, estimating, project management, and facility management. As the General Manager of Entity Mechanical Ltd., she plays a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and leading strategic initiatives. Her background includes extensive experience in building automation and mechanical systems, ensuring efficiency and innovation in commercial and institutional projects.

Through both her professional and volunteer experiences, Helena is no stranger to navigating male-dominated spaces. As a leader in the mechanical sector and a dedicated search and rescue volunteer specializing in technical rescue, she has continually broken barriers and demonstrated the importance of skill, perseverance, and adaptability.

As a past president of Coquitlam Search and Rescue, Helena has made significant contributions to emergency response and community safety, earning the prestigious King Charles III Medal in recognition of her leadership and dedication. A passionate advocate for resilience, leadership, and continuous learning, Helena is honored to share her experiences as a panelist celebrating International Women’s Day, inspiring the next generation of women in the trades and beyond.

Brittany Manulak - Owner, Concept Mechanical Group

Brittany brings several years of business skills and acumen to the table. Brittany and her husband, Jason, started Concept Mechanical Group in 2003. Over the last twenty years they have grown it into multi-family, commercial, and service divisions.

For Brittany, it’s important to empower younger generations. This people-first approach is what makes ethics so central to Brittany’s approach to business. “We stay focused on trying to be good humans in the industry, that’s huge for us. We want to leave a legacy there that we had a positive impact in this industry.”