This episode is for anyone in the forestry and building materials industries who are interested in attracting more youth or general public into the industry, and how you can get involved in the effort.

The industry is facing a significant skills gap due to a lack of youth interest and new hires, but people are taking action. So, what can we do about it?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Allison DeFord, Executive Director at the North American Forest Foundation (NAFF), to discuss NAFF’s initiatives on educating the public about the forestry industry. They discuss NAFF’s “Truth About Trees” teaching kit, a free, renewable resource for K-5 classrooms, as well as an exciting new educational app for junior high students that could impact millions of students, teachers, and parents. They also touch on ways companies can get involved in these efforts.

Tune in for an insightful conversation about how we can all play a part in raising awareness and fostering a future workforce in the forestry and building materials sectors.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Allison DeFord: linkedin.com/in/allisondeford

North American Forest Association: https://northamericanforestfoundation.org/

Canopy Club: https://northamericanforestfoundation.org/canopy-club/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors.

Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com

Also brought to you by HiLine Treated Wood by West Fraser.

Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

Today’s episode is a must-listen for anyone working in a lumberyard—or in sales of any kind.

Have you ever stepped into your customers’ shoes to see your business from their point of view?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Marc Atiyolil, designer, builder and co-host of The Marc & Mandy Show, to explore the pain points manufacturers are still facing today, the importance of delivering a strong customer experience and how that experience can lead into meaningful, long-term relationships. Along with how media training can be valuable in any environment, even in the lumberyard. Drawing from his own experience as a builder, Marc shares real-world examples that bring these conversations to life.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on understanding and elevating the customer experience.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Marc Atiyolil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-atiyolil-07b8393a/

Canadian Home Trends: https://canadianhometrends.com/

Marc & Mandy’s PD Session at the 2026 Showcase: https://supplybuildshowcase.ca/pd-trade-secrets/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HiLine Treated Wood by West Fraser.

Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

Also brought to you by Brandt. Whatever you need to succeed, Brandt delivers. Let us do the heavy lifting.

Learn more at brandt.ca

Today’s episode is for anyone in sales or marketing, old school, new school, or somewhere in between, as well as anyone preparing to exhibit at a trade show. No matter your experience, you’ll walk away with something useful.

Have you ever felt stagnant in your style of work or struggled to find success in it?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with returning guest R.M. Caligiuri, CEO, lecturer, and keynote speaker at Caligiuri Leadership, to break down old school vs. new school sales and marketing tactics: what works, what doesn’t, and everything in between. They also share tips for exhibiting at trade shows and making impactful impressions, and much more.

Tune in for a productive and fun conversation about navigating the sales and marketing world with genuine heart.

Enjoy the show!

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

R.M. Caligiuri: www.linkedin.com/in/rmcaligiuri/

R.M.’s Website: www.calileadership.com/

R.M. Caligiuri's PD Session at the 2026 Showcase: https://supplybuildshowcase.ca/pd-sell-smarter/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Brandt.

Whatever you need to succeed, Brandt delivers. Let us do the heavy lifting.

Learn more at brandt.ca

Also brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors.

Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com

Today’s episode is recommended for anyone who aspires to lead or is ready to step up their game.

Have you ever wondered what “real leadership” looks like in today’s workplaces?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Eileen Dooley and Wahaj Awad, Principal & Coach and Consultant at Humance, to explore the latest shifts in leadership, with emotional intelligence taking center stage. They also dive into what accountability really means and navigating through tough conversations and challenging situations with clarity and confidence.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about growth, resilience, and the everyday behaviors that make leadership feel more human.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Eileen Dooley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dooleyeileen/

Wahaj Awad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wahaj-awad/

Humance: https://humance.ca/

Humance's PD Session at the 2026 Showcase: https://supplybuildshowcase.ca/pd-real-leadership/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Brandt.

Whatever you need to succeed, Brandt delivers. Let us do the heavy lifting.

Learn more at brandt.ca

Also brought to you by HiLine Treated wood by West Fraser. Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

Today’s episode is recommended for Retail leaders, managers, and business owners navigating change. Anyone who’s ever had to lead when confidence wavered or the path wasn’t clear.

Have you ever had to navigate yourself in a high-stakes environment?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Holly Stofa, a former CIA Operator to a High-Performance Leadership Coach, to explore Holly’s extraordinary journey from the world of espionage to the realm of leadership and personal growth.

Together, they dive into what it takes to thrive in high-stakes environments: creating meaningful relationships through trust, by understanding your teammates’ strengths. Along with learning to take the lead, even when you’re scared or hesitant. All for the opportunity of growth — both for yourself and your team.

Holly also shares insights from her work coaching young athletes, as well as the heartfelt story behind her book about her family’s experience with adoption.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on resilience, leadership, and excellence under pressure.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Holly Stofa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-s/

Holly’s Website: https://www.hollystofa.com/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors.

Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com

Also brought to you by Brandt.

Whatever you need to succeed, Brandt delivers. Let us do the heavy lifting.

Learn more at brandt.ca

Welcome to Supply-Build Canada’s first-ever Golf Confessional — a special Thanksgiving episode packed with laughter, stories, and a few surprises from this year’s golf tournaments.

Whether it’s a secret swing tip, an unexpected victory, or a bit of on-course drama, we’ve gathered the best (and worst) golf moments from members and guests across Western Canada.

Expect a mix of humor, honesty, and a few tales of golf-gone-wrong — all in good fun and completely anonymous.

Tune in for laughs, lessons, and maybe a little redemption for your own game.

In the building supply industry, travel comes with the territory. Whether you’re a sales associate visiting job sites or a manager attending conferences, you’re often on the move because this industry thrives on connection and relationships.

But what happens when the unexpected strikes on the road? Lost baggage, flight delays, or a medical emergency abroad — travel insurance can save you more than just stress; it can save you thousands of dollars!

In this episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Karley Middleton, Benefits Consultant at HUB International, to unpack the ins and outs of travel coverage for industry professionals. They break down how different policies work, share real-world examples of when travel insurance makes all the difference, and discuss how to protect yourself, your family and your team from costly pitfalls.

Who it’s for:

Anyone who travels frequently — from business development managers, sales professionals and account reps visiting customers, to business owners, finance teams managing travel budgets, and HR professionals overseeing employee policies. If your work takes you on the road more than you’re at your desk, this episode is for you.

Tune in to learn how to travel smarter, safer, and more cost-effectively — wherever work takes you.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Karley Middleton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karley-middleton-a8553a36/

HUB International: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hub-international-canada/

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HiLine Treated wood by West Fraser. Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

Also brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors.

Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com

No matter the size of your operation, manufacturers face significant risks. The impact of a serious loss can be greater than in almost any other industry—Are you confident your facility is properly insured?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Alex Hawkins, Underwriting Director at Federated Insurance, to explore and break down the evolving risk landscape manufacturers face. They dive into growing threats of cyber security and the use of AI in social engineering attacks, to the increasing frequency of natural disasters. They explore how the insurance industry is adapting to these modern challenges.

Alex also shares insights into emerging trends, including a shift toward a partnership-based model between insurers and businesses; one that goes beyond simply covering costs to actively supporting risk prevention and recovery.

Tune in to learn how to better protect your business and prepare for the unexpected.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Alex Hawkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhhawkins/

Federated Insurance: https://www.linkedin.com/company/federated-insurance-company-of-canada/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors.

Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com

Also brought to you by Brandt.

Whatever you need to succeed, Brandt delivers. Let us do the heavy lifting.

Learn more at brandt.ca

No matter the size of your operation, manufacturers face significant risks. The impact of a serious loss can be greater than in almost any other industry—Are you confident your facility is properly insured?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Alex Hawkins, Underwriting Director at Federated Insurance, to explore and break down the evolving risk landscape manufacturers face. They dive into growing threats of cyber security and the use of AI in social engineering attacks, to the increasing frequency of natural disasters. They explore how the insurance industry is adapting to these modern challenges.

Alex also shares insights into emerging trends, including a shift toward a partnership-based model between insurers and businesses; one that goes beyond simply covering costs to actively supporting risk prevention and recovery.

Tune in to learn how to better protect your business and prepare for the unexpected.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Alex Hawkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhhawkins/

Federated Insurance: https://www.linkedin.com/company/federated-insurance-company-of-canada/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors.

Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com

Also brought to you by Brandt.

Whatever you need to succeed, Brandt delivers. Let us do the heavy lifting.

Learn more at brandt.ca

Leadership is a journey – are you ready to lead?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Blake Wheeler, former captain of the Winnipeg Jets, and Cody Miller, Director of Novus Global Construction Services & Executive Coach. Together, they explore Blake’s leadership journey, the experiences that drive his "why," and how he’s now helping leaders in both sports and business thrive through his work with Novus Global.

The business world can learn a lot from the world of sport. What if we approached our work with the same focus on physical and mental performance as professional athletes do – showing up as our best selves every day? Coaches play a vital role in helping us reach the next level. Just as we invest in wellness coaches or personal trainers, we should also consider investing in mental performance and leadership development.

We hope today’s podcast will inspire you to approach your leadership as a “muscle” that needs to be trained and encourages you to take the next step in your leadership development!

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Blake Wheeler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-wheeler-5a378b332/

Cody Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codymiller12/

Novus Global: https://novus.global/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors.

Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com

Also brought to you by HiLine Treated wood by West Fraser. Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com