What does it take to lead with integrity and empathy in an industry where technical expertise can quickly outweigh human connection? In this episode of the Master Builder series, Ethel Craft joins Riccardo and Shormila to reflect on a career rooted in service—from her beginnings in social services to her leadership role in Ottawa’s rail construction program.

Ethel shares how a leadership course during her MBA sparked her passion for mentoring others, ultimately guiding her to pursue a Doctorate in Business while working full-time. Through personal challenges, professional pivots, and academic milestones, Ethel has remained grounded in one goal: to be a role model and a connector. She leads with a deep respect for the people around her and a clear-eyed view of stakeholder relations. Her track record highlights the vital balance leaders must strike between respect for those around them and confidence that they have earned their place, regardless of the journey that brought them to the table.

Within this celebration of Ethel’s achievements is an invitation to re-envision what leadership can look like, in infrastructure and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

• Genuine care and passion can take you further in leadership than a degree in your chosen industry.
• A strong support network makes all the difference as you chase your goals through life’s inevitable challenges.
• Imposter syndrome is common, even among accomplished leaders, but it shouldn’t define your path.
• Seeking to be a good role model can have a significant positive influence on your path to success.
• Real leadership is less about having all the answers and more about creating space for others to shine.

Quote:

“I ​felt ​like ​I ​was ​just ​draining ​everything ​within ​me, ​and ​at ​the ​same ​time, ​I ​needed ​to ​be ​a ​mom. ​And I ​was ​working, ​too. So, ​it ​was ​hard. ​But ​I ​had ​this ​amazing ​supervisor who ​just kept ​telling ​me, ​you ​can ​do ​this. ​Never ​putting ​pressure ​on ​me, telling ​me ​to ​take ​the ​time. ​And ​so ​when ​I ​talk ​about ​having ​a ​support ​system, ​it's ​a ​word ​that ​we ​take ​for ​granted, right? ​​But ​to ​have ​that ​network ​around ​you ​that ​makes ​you ​feel ​full ​on ​the ​inside is ​crucial.​” - Ethel Craft

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn:

• Follow Navigating Major Programmes - https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/
• Follow Riccardo Cosentino - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/
• Read Riccardo’s latest at http://www.riccardocosentino.com
• Follow Shormilla Chatterjee at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shormilac/
• Follow Ethel Craft at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethel-craft-dba-mba-7961a724/

Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.