This year, International Women’s Day celebrates the theme “Give to Gain” – a reminder that when we collaborate, support and lift each other up, everyone grows. Across industries, mentorship is one of the most effective ways to share knowledge, open doors and inspire the next generation of leaders.
To explore this in action, we spoke with Caroline Delisle, a Senior Project Manager with our Federal team, and Nerissa Zhang, an Assistant Project Manager with our Atlantic team, who participated in Colliers Project Leaders’ mentorship program. They offer an inside look at how the giving and receiving of mentorship empowers people and enriches their professional development journeys. From lessons learned to memorable moments, their stories illuminate the real-life benefits of mentorship and how, sometimes, giving is the best way to gain.
1. How has your experience in the mentorship program reflected the idea of “Give to Gain”? What have you given and what have you gained?
Caroline: My mentor-mentee relationship reflects the idea of “Give to Gain” by giving support to younger women, sharing knowledge, giving them a safe space to ask questions and helping them advance their careers. In return, it’s given me more visibility on what young women go through in our industry and a sense of satisfaction getting to help others.
Nerissa: What I’ve given to the mentorship program is preparation and honesty. I came into meetings well prepared, whether for a discussion on how to navigate complex collaborator relationships or how to transition from supporting projects to leading them. I’ve also been really open about my career path and where I’d like to be in the next couple of years.
What I’ve gained is clarity. My mentor helped me to see how project managers think beyond their immediate tasks, whether that’s anticipating risks, influencing conversations, or positioning themselves strategically within a project or organization.
2. What’s the best advice you’ve received as a woman in the construction industry?
Caroline: My favourite piece of advice that I’ve received and would pass on to younger women is to be adaptable and strive for continuous learning. Don’t be shy about learning new things, meeting new people, hearing what they have to say, and learning new ways to accomplish something.
Nerissa: One piece of advice that stayed with me is that you don’t need to wait until you feel completely ready to take on responsibilities, you just have to step into it.
3. Looking back, what moment in your career made you feel most proud and what did you learn from the experience?
Nerissa: Early on in my career, I often felt like I was not experienced or prepared enough to be comfortable speaking up or sharing ideas. Caroline encouraged me to trust the work I put in and to have the confidence to contribute during meetings.
Caroline: I always feel a sense of pride after completing a project, but the ones that stand out most in my memory are those that involve or impact people in a significant way. When I first started in the construction industry as an Assistant Project Manager, I worked for the City of Ottawa on renovating and updating city parks. My young niece and nephew at the time thought it was very cool to have an aunt who built play structures. Around the same time, I was working on the expansion of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. I was assigned a subproject to retrofit and hang a snowbird jet from the lobby ceiling, and when I think of little kids going to that museum, looking up and saying “Wow”, it always puts a smile on my face. People are the most important part of any project – whether it’s the people you work with or the people whose lives are improved because of those projects.
4. When you’re not managing projects, what inspires or energizes you and how does that show up in your work?
Nerissa: Boxing has been a huge source of energy for me outside of work. Training and competing taught me the importance of discipline and consistency, as well as how to work under pressure. That mindset helps me stay calm when things get complicated, stay persistent when solving problems and, most importantly, push forward when progress seems slow.
Caroline: When I’m not at work, I enjoy hobbies like taking singing and piano lessons. I also love to sew, swim and go to the gym. I like to take classes of all kinds and that persistent thirst for knowledge and learning also comes through in my work. I like to learn a lot of things, both professionally and personally, but what restores my energy most is spending time with my husband and three dogs, Arthur, Frannie and Peanut.
Mentorship is more than career guidance; it’s a catalyst for growth. As Caroline and Nerissa’s experiences demonstrate, giving time, insight and encouragement builds confidence, sharpens perspective and strengthens leadership at every level.
In a profession rooted in collaboration, investing in one another is essential. When we create space to share knowledge and elevate emerging leaders, we don’t just support individual success, we help shape a stronger, more resilient industry.
