Sherri Paiement91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淚 grew up in the country, around horses. My family lived on an acreage, and we had dogs and cats.

91裸聊视频淎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.91裸聊视频�

Paiement91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淚 love the variety of what we do here91裸聊视频攆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.91裸聊视频�

Paiement91裸聊视频檚 role as executive director encompasses a wide array of activities, including organizing events and providing educational seminars for members, something she91裸聊视频檚 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 can91裸聊视频檛-miss night of celebration that looks back on 25 years of construction in the Okanagan Valley.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 going to be great to see what 25 years of building looks like91裸聊视频攖he differences in what we91裸聊视频檝e built, what communities looked like then versus what we91裸聊视频檙e building now.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e excited91裸聊视频攁nd with the Tommie Awards, the builders raise the bar and set new trends every year.

91裸聊视频淚 can91裸聊视频檛 give away too much, but I can say that the 25th Tommie Awards will be on Jan. 28 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort91裸聊视频攁nd we have a great show lined up.91裸聊视频�

The second event will be the valley91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e going to have a keynote speaker. We91裸聊视频檒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.91裸聊视频�

While managing an industry association involves a variety of challenging tasks, her biggest challenge91裸聊视频攁nd the one she91裸聊视频檚 most eager to pursue91裸聊视频攊s lobbying the government.

91裸聊视频淲hen you work with governments, change doesn91裸聊视频檛 happen quickly. We finally have builder licensing that holds our industry accountable91裸聊视频攖hat took 11 years of advocacy,91裸聊视频� said Paiement.

91裸聊视频淚t was a challenge to prove to the government that not having builder licensing was a problem.

91裸聊视频淢any years ago, one of my friends had to have her whole kitchen ripped out because the contractor who renovated it the first time didn91裸聊视频檛 have the proper permits91裸聊视频攖hat91裸聊视频檚 not right. The homeowner shouldn91裸聊视频檛 be left holding the bag.91裸聊视频�

Paiement says that as part of her commitment to improving industry standards, she91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 a huge underground economy for renovations. That91裸聊视频檚 why we91裸聊视频檇 like to see the renovation tax credit come back91裸聊视频攊t keeps things above board (by making it more affordable for homeowners to deal with licensed, reputable tradespeople).

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e going to the federal government to ask for it again.91裸聊视频�

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 she91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淥ne thing I see in the future is working with the industry to give back to the community. I don91裸聊视频檛 know what that looks like just yet, but it91裸聊视频檒l probably involve Habitat For Humanity.

91裸聊视频淩ight now, housing affordability and attainability is a big problem.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e looking at getting our industry to pitch in and create a project that will impact the community.

91裸聊视频淎t this point it91裸聊视频檚 just talk, but I91裸聊视频檇 love to rally our membership and our association partners to create more housing options.91裸聊视频�

Crowe MacKay91裸聊视频檚 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 91裸聊视频. To nominate the exceptional woman in your life, email womentowatch@kelownachamber.org.