Denisa Leiba is a Human Resources executive with over 25 years of experience building and leading award-winning teams in Construction, Infrastructure Development and other sectors. Widely respected for her expertise in Workforce Planning, Employee & Labour Relations, Talent Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Denisa has demonstrated her competence by leading teams through organizational design, system implementation, and program development initiatives. She is a Certified Human Resources Executive, a Certified Management Consultant, and Certified Executive Coach. Currently on secondment from her role as Vice-President, HR Infrastructure at the Aecon Group, Denisa is the Chief People and Administration Officer at Crosslinx Transit Solutions for the $6 billion Eglinton Crosstown LRT Project. At CTS, she leads the team that is spearheading the efforts behind the pilot project for the Canada’s inaugural Community Benefits Program. In 2021, CTS won the Leading in Diversity Contractor Award.
Describe why the nominee should receive the Community Benefits Champion Award
Denisa has gone over and above in leading the various activities, programs, and initiatives related to the Community Benefits Program for Crosslinx Transit Solutions. Denisa has actively put in place processes and solutions supported by the Leadership Team at Crosslinx to further assist historically disadvantaged communities and equity-seeking groups. Denisa is sought out for her guidance, recommendation, and best practices as it relates to community benefits and Diversity & Inclusion for other projects. Denisa's commitment to Diversity and Inclusion goes beyond the great work that is done with Community Benefits and her efforts and Leadership are demonstrated by CTS's broader commitment to Diversity & Inclusion.
Has the individual led efforts that benefit targets for diverse hiring on construction projects associated with a community benefits agreement? Check the examples below that apply to the nominee
Dedicated outreach, recruitment, hiring and dispatch of equity seeking groups
Proactive strategies for job preparation, job retention and apprenticeship completion
Mobilizing and collaborating with stakeholders on new approaches to achieve equity, diversity and inclusion in construction workplaces
Collaboration with sector stakeholders on actions that result in more welcoming workplaces for diverse workers
Arranging direct dispatch to job sites and placement in apprenticeships
Recruiting diverse journeypersons to become mentors to new entrants and apprentices Mentoring various youth
Became educated on Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks
Provide more detail about the actions taken, and any outcomes or measurable results for the actions selected above.
Significant hiring within our PAT roles has led to 1 in 4 hires being from our Community Benefits Program. Created an email notification solution for subcontractors to report on their hiring as it relates to the Community Benefits pathways. This has increased the visibility of the hires from the subcontractors as we worked together to simply how these hires are recorded.
Has the nominee contributed to adjusting or improving any other traditional practices within the construction sector to incorporate more inclusive approaches?
Yes, Denisa participates in ongoing discussions and provides leadership and direction for the unions and subcontractors to encourage hiring from historically disadvantaged and equity-seeking groups. Denisa has used multiple avenues to increase communication to the subcontractors on the benefits and increase awareness of hiring through community benefits. These efforts have created a closer connection between the sub-trades and the organizations that have qualified candidates.
Upload any documents that provide evidence of the above actions or more information about the nominee’s Building Diversity work
CTS’s Community Benefits hiring metrics, Outreach activities, and ongoing partnerships is included in the Annual and Quarterly Community Benefits Reports that are produced on behalf of Metrolinx.
