Sherri Paiement香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淚 grew up in the country, around horses. My family lived on an acreage, and we had dogs and cats.

香蕉视频直播淎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.香蕉视频直播�

Paiement香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淚 love the variety of what we do here香蕉视频直播攆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.香蕉视频直播�

Paiement香蕉视频直播檚 role as executive director encompasses a wide array of activities, including organizing events and providing educational seminars for members, something she香蕉视频直播檚 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香蕉视频直播檛-miss night of celebration that looks back on 25 years of construction in the Okanagan Valley.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 going to be great to see what 25 years of building looks like香蕉视频直播攖he differences in what we香蕉视频直播檝e built, what communities looked like then versus what we香蕉视频直播檙e building now.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e excited香蕉视频直播攁nd with the Tommie Awards, the builders raise the bar and set new trends every year.

香蕉视频直播淚 can香蕉视频直播檛 give away too much, but I can say that the 25th Tommie Awards will be on Jan. 28 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort香蕉视频直播攁nd we have a great show lined up.香蕉视频直播�

The second event will be the valley香蕉视频直播檚 first construction industry conference.

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

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e going to have a keynote speaker. We香蕉视频直播檒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.香蕉视频直播�

While managing an industry association involves a variety of challenging tasks, her biggest challenge香蕉视频直播攁nd the one she香蕉视频直播檚 most eager to pursue香蕉视频直播攊s lobbying the government.

香蕉视频直播淲hen you work with governments, change doesn香蕉视频直播檛 happen quickly. We finally have builder licensing that holds our industry accountable香蕉视频直播攖hat took 11 years of advocacy,香蕉视频直播� said Paiement.

香蕉视频直播淚t was a challenge to prove to the government that not having builder licensing was a problem.

香蕉视频直播淢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香蕉视频直播檛 have the proper permits香蕉视频直播攖hat香蕉视频直播檚 not right. The homeowner shouldn香蕉视频直播檛 be left holding the bag.香蕉视频直播�

Paiement says that as part of her commitment to improving industry standards, she香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 a huge underground economy for renovations. That香蕉视频直播檚 why we香蕉视频直播檇 like to see the renovation tax credit come back香蕉视频直播攊t keeps things above board (by making it more affordable for homeowners to deal with licensed, reputable tradespeople).

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e going to the federal government to ask for it again.香蕉视频直播�

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香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淥ne thing I see in the future is working with the industry to give back to the community. I don香蕉视频直播檛 know what that looks like just yet, but it香蕉视频直播檒l probably involve Habitat For Humanity.

香蕉视频直播淩ight now, housing affordability and attainability is a big problem.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e looking at getting our industry to pitch in and create a project that will impact the community.

香蕉视频直播淎t this point it香蕉视频直播檚 just talk, but I香蕉视频直播檇 love to rally our membership and our association partners to create more housing options.香蕉视频直播�

Crowe MacKay香蕉视频直播檚 Women to Watch is a weekly feature that profiles remarkable women in our community. This series is a joint initiative between Crowe MacKay, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and the 香蕉视频直播. To nominate the exceptional woman in your life, email womentowatch@kelownachamber.org.