Building More Than Projects: Nicole El-Sayah Wins OGCA Community Involvement Award

On any given day, Nicole El-Sayah, an Assistant Project Manager at EllisDon, may be managing the demands of a major construction project. But beyond the job site, she is equally focused on building something less visible: a stronger, more connected community.

That commitment has earned Nicole the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) Community Involvement Award, which recognizes individuals whose impact extends beyond their day-to-day role through leadership, volunteerism, and meaningful contributions to their communities.

For Nicole, community-building isn’t a separate initiative. It’s part of how she leads.

Creating spaces for connection and belonging

Nearly two years ago, Nicole became involved with EllisDon’s PEACE (Proud Employees for Allyship, Community & Education) employee-led group. What began as participation quickly evolved into leadership, and today, as Toronto Area Lead, she plays an important role in fostering inclusion and connection across the organization.

Her focus is creating environments where people feel comfortable being themselves and connected to those around them.

Some initiatives are highly visible, such as helping organize events for International Transgender Day of Visibility that combine education, awareness, and celebration to encourage understanding and amplify diverse voices.

Others take a more informal approach. Nicole independently organized Queers with Clubs, a golf event designed to bring people together in a welcoming, accessible setting that encouraged conversation and connection among colleagues and community members alike.

Whether coordinating Pride Night at a Toronto Blue Jays game or supporting EllisDon’s participation in the Toronto Pride Parade, each initiative is rooted in the same goal: creating opportunities for people to feel included, supported, and part of something bigger.

A collaborative approach to leadership

Nicole’s impact is defined not only by the initiatives she leads, but by the way she leads them.

Her approach is collaborative, thoughtful, and empowering. She creates space for others to contribute, encourages participation, and helps turn ideas into shared experiences. Colleagues don’t simply attend the events she organizes; they become active participants in building community alongside her.

From expanding informal gatherings like game nights into broader engagement opportunities, to coordinating large-scale initiatives behind the scenes, Nicole brings both organization and authenticity to everything she does.

The result is evident across the organization: stronger participation, deeper engagement, and a growing sense of belonging among employees.

“Nicole has a way of making people feel like they truly belong. She creates environments where individuals feel safe to be themselves, where their voices are heard, and where differences are genuinely valued,” said Jen Khan, Vice President, Inclusive Diversity, EllisDon. “Through her leadership, EllisDon, and the communities we’re part of, become more inclusive, more supportive, and stronger because of it.”

Her commitment to community also extends beyond EllisDon through involvement in initiatives such as the Pride and Remembrance Run, local Earth Day clean-ups, and the Women in Transportation Services (WTS) Toronto Chapter. Through both industry and community engagement, she continues to advocate for inclusion and strengthen connections beyond the workplace.

Creating lasting impact

Many of Nicole’s most meaningful contributions happen in small but important moments.

They are reflected in the colleague who feels more comfortable speaking up, the employee attending their first PEACE event, or the growing sense that EllisDon is not only a place to work, but a place where people feel they belong.

"The work we do through PEACE is deeply important to me,” said Nicole El-Sayah, Assistant Project Manager, EllisDon. “While I am truly honoured to be the recipient of OGCA’s inaugural Community Impact Award, this recognition is only possible because of the support and participation of fellow PEACE members and the leadership team. This is a shared achievement and a win for everyone in the LGBTQ2S+ community at EllisDon and beyond."

Through her efforts, Nicole has helped foster safe and inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ employees and allies while encouraging greater awareness and allyship across the organization.

Over time, those moments contribute to something larger: lasting cultural change. While EllisDon helps build the infrastructure that shapes communities, it is people like Nicole who shape the culture that makes those communities stronger.