Sherri Paiement鈥檚 passion for industry advocacy came to her later in life, after seeing first-hand the addictive challenges and great opportunities in the field of business development.

And while Paiement can plan industry events and lobby for better conditions for members with the best of association directors, her first love was for the equestrian world.

鈥淚 grew up in the country, around horses. My family lived on an acreage, and we had dogs and cats.

鈥淎t the time, I thought I wanted to be a riding instructor. But then I got experience in the business environment, and I took to things quite well.鈥�

Paiement鈥檚 career in business has spanned a variety of industries and niches, which has given her a broad base of experience to draw on in her advocacy work. Past positions in cement sales, banking, non-profit organizations and business management have provided her with unique insights into important aspects of the home building industry.

And now, in her fifth year as the executive director of the Canadian Home Builders Association of the Central Okanagan, Paiement is thrilled to be involved in initiatives that improve the industry.

鈥淚 love the variety of what we do here鈥攆orging relationships with government, creating great industry events. Helping the public understand what we do is also a big part of my job, and I want people to understand how important it is to work with licensed tradespeople.鈥�

Paiement鈥檚 role as executive director encompasses a wide array of activities, including organizing events and providing educational seminars for members, something she鈥檚 taken to with gusto.

With two major events already planned for 2017, Paiement is eager to set the bar for professional activities in the Okanagan construction industry.

The first such event, slated for January 2017, is the 25th annual Tommie Awards. Paiement and her team have prepared a can鈥檛-miss night of celebration that looks back on 25 years of construction in the Okanagan Valley.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be great to see what 25 years of building looks like鈥攖he differences in what we鈥檝e built, what communities looked like then versus what we鈥檙e building now.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited鈥攁nd with the Tommie Awards, the builders raise the bar and set new trends every year.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 give away too much, but I can say that the 25th Tommie Awards will be on Jan. 28 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort鈥攁nd we have a great show lined up.鈥�

The second event will be the valley鈥檚 first construction industry conference.

In February 2017, industry experts will descend upon 91大黄鸭 to give local builders a next-level educational experience unlike anything the Okanagan has seen before.

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to have a keynote speaker. We鈥檒l also be discussing philanthropy in the industry. We all talk about giving back to the community, but our membership actually has the tools to literally build the community.鈥�

While managing an industry association involves a variety of challenging tasks, her biggest challenge鈥攁nd the one she鈥檚 most eager to pursue鈥攊s lobbying the government.

鈥淲hen you work with governments, change doesn鈥檛 happen quickly. We finally have builder licensing that holds our industry accountable鈥攖hat took 11 years of advocacy,鈥� said Paiement.

鈥淚t was a challenge to prove to the government that not having builder licensing was a problem.

鈥淢any years ago, one of my friends had to have her whole kitchen ripped out because the contractor who renovated it the first time didn鈥檛 have the proper permits鈥攖hat鈥檚 not right. The homeowner shouldn鈥檛 be left holding the bag.鈥�

Paiement says that as part of her commitment to improving industry standards, she鈥檚 working hard to forge positive relationships with government officials and push for policy changes that protect homeowners.

The federal home renovation tax credit is just one example of a policy change for which Paiement and the CHBA are lobbying.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a huge underground economy for renovations. That鈥檚 why we鈥檇 like to see the renovation tax credit come back鈥攊t keeps things above board (by making it more affordable for homeowners to deal with licensed, reputable tradespeople).

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to the federal government to ask for it again.鈥�

Paiement still has major plans to continue promoting the home building industry, and is driven to continue advocating on behalf of Okanagan builders.

At the same time she鈥檚 already looking ahead for more opportunities to make an impact in the non-profit sector.

Paiement says that her job with the CHBA is only just beginning.

鈥淥ne thing I see in the future is working with the industry to give back to the community. I don鈥檛 know what that looks like just yet, but it鈥檒l probably involve Habitat For Humanity.

鈥淩ight now, housing affordability and attainability is a big problem.

鈥淲e鈥檙e looking at getting our industry to pitch in and create a project that will impact the community.

鈥淎t this point it鈥檚 just talk, but I鈥檇 love to rally our membership and our association partners to create more housing options.鈥�

Crowe MacKay鈥檚 Women to Watch is a weekly feature that profiles remarkable women in our community. This series is a joint initiative between Crowe MacKay, the 91大黄鸭 Chamber of Commerce and the 91大黄鸭 Capital News. To nominate the exceptional woman in your life, email womentowatch@kelownachamber.org.