On June 22, 2026, the Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) Committee hosted the Building Partnerships: Indigenous Pathways into the Trades. The webinar, in celebration of Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day, brought together speakers from across Canada who represent both Indigenous peoples and trade leaders who recruit within those communities.

Thank you to our speakers:

Elder Verna McGregor, an Omama-winini Algonquin from the community of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation
Dan Lee, SMART Local 8
Carol Lee, Trade Winds to Success

This episode features a Learning Journey session exploring veterans' experiences in the industry and how SMART and SMACNA are helping bridge the gap between military service and rewarding careers in sheet metal.

Led by Darrell Roberts, SMART Assistant to General President, this conversation will spotlight the real-life journey of transitioning from active duty to successful careers in the trades. Attendees will gain insight into the recruitment and retention needs across the industry. Hear directly from veterans who have built strong futures in the trade, and from the contractor perspective, about opening doors to a meaningful career path.

For this episode of SMACNA's BE4ALL podcast, host Dushaw Hockett is joined by Fred Latu from Sacramento's Local 104, Tony Lowe from Southland Industries, and Cheryl Sprague, EVP of SMACNA Sacremento. The panel talks about how the industry can work with individuals who have been involved with the criminal justice system at some point in their lives and how the industry can better interact with these individuals. 

For the latest episode of the BE4ALL Podcast, host Dushaw Hockett sits down with Henry Nutt III from Southland Industries. During their conversation, Henry talks to Dushaw about some of the expieriences that he's had in the construction workplace and how he has applied the lessons he has learned throughout his career into the work of building a workplace where every employee feels like they belong. 

In part 2 of our discussion surrounding Women in Construction, Dushaw Hockett sat down with Jan Chappell from SMART Local 85, Kathy Kerber with KSM Metal Fabrication, Mindy Roha of CJ Industries, and Shamaiah Turner from SMART Local 17. 

The second part of this episode focuses on the importance of mentorship. Our panelists take a moment to reflect on the people that shaped their lives within the industry and how those lessons carry on to the present day. 

Dushaw Hockett sits down with Jan Chappell from SMART Local 85, Kathy Kerber with KSM Metal Fabrication, Mindy Roha of CJ Industries, and Shamaiah Turner from SMART Local 17. 

The panel takes a moment to lift up the role of women in the sheet metal industry through a robust discussion of the growing importance of women in the trades. They talk about some of their shared expieriences and how it has shaped their career and how the workplace has changed over the years.  

Host Dushaw Hockett is joined by Fatima Ware, the owner of Cleveland, Ohio-based WTD Mechanical. Fatima and Dushaw talk about Fatima's experience as a black woman rising through the skilled trades. The two also take a moment to discuss the state of diversity and equity in the industry and, using Fatima's real-world experience, consider some solutions that can better help the sheet metal and HVAC industry become more reflective of their communities. 

For the first episode of SMACNA's Be4All Podcast, host Dushaw Hockett is joined by Curtis Harbour, Senior Vice President of the Brandt Companies. During their discussion, Curtis and Dushaw talk about some of the workplace inclusion efforts happening at Brandt, as well as talking about Curtis' work on the Be4All initiative. After listening to this episode, take a moment to learn more about SMACNA's Be4All efforts by visiting our website.