Speakers

Speakers BUILDFest 2026

BUILDTalks: Big Ideas. Real Insights. Conversations That Matter.

The people shaping construction have something to say – and BUILDTalks is the stage for it. We’re bringing together engaging speakers with real-world experience, fresh perspectives and practical ideas to share with the Lower Mainland construction community.

From business and leadership to workforce, technology, project delivery and the challenges shaping our industry, BUILDTalks is designed to spark conversation, challenge thinking and give you ideas you can take back to your business.

Come ready to listen. Leave ready to think differently.

Meet The Voices Behind BUILDTalks

Explore our lineup of speakers and discover the people bringing their knowledge, experience and perspective to the BUILDFest stage. One stage. Powerful ideas. A whole lot of BUILD.

Jon Fearn

Product Manager – Speedwall at Flynn Canada

Jon Fearn is a Certified Passive House Tradesperson with over 20 years of industry experience in pre-construction and design of the external envelope, from Roofing & Cladding to Glazing and Prefabrication. His experience in the industry includes delivering Architectural & Contractor advice for a variety of key players in the facade industry in Europe such as Schuco, Reynaers, Kawneer & Velfac, and more recently to the largest envelope contractor in North America: Flynn Canada Ltd.

Shams Hirani

President at EleWin Consulting Inc.

Shams Hirani is a sales and leadership trainer and coach, and the authorized Sandler Training partner for British Columbia. He brings 25 years of B2B sales and leadership experience, along with an MBA, to his work with business owners, leaders, and teams across the province. Shams works extensively with the construction sector, including general contractors, trade contractors, and suppliers, helping them build the mindset, discipline, and communication habits that produce predictable results. He is a regular facilitator with VRCA and other industry associations in British Columbia, and his sessions are known for being practical, direct, and grounded in real situations that people in the room recognize immediately.

Jessica Jiang

Senior Associate at Infrastructure BC

Jessica’s career spans both the public and private sectors in Capital Projects and Urban Planning. At Infrastructure BC, Jessica specializes in procurement and project management for major public infrastructure initiatives in the transportation and healthcare sectors. Before joining IBC, Jessica built extensive experience in land use planning, development approvals, and asset strategy at the municipal and regional levels, as well as in management consulting.

Victoria Kolt

Lawyer at McLean & Armstrong LLP

Victoria Kolt is a Vancouver-based construction lawyer with a background in professional communications and stakeholder relations. She advises on commercial construction matters, contracts, risk, and project issues, with a focus on practical, business-minded solutions. Her communications background informs her approach to navigating complex issues across project teams, clients, contractors, and other stakeholders. Victoria is particularly interested in bridging the gap between legal advice and day-to-day project execution – helping teams communicate clearly, manage risk, and keep projects moving.

Nimrat Pahwa

Enterprise Solutions Specialist, AI at Procore

Nimrat Pahwa, MBA, PMP, is an Enterprise AI Solutions Specialist at Procore with a background in construction project management, operations and construction technology. She holds an MBA focused on Operations Management and Information Systems, along with certifications in AI strategy. Nimrat works with construction organizations across North America on practical applications of AI, including agentic workflows, connected project intelligence and AI-driven operational improvement. Her focus is helping contractors and owners move beyond AI experimentation toward practical adoption and measurable business value.

Tahmid Rahman

Senior Manager, Mechanical Design at AXIOM Builders

Tahmid Rahman is a Senior Manager, Mechanical Design at Axiom Builders, where he works across preconstruction and operations, with a focus on mechanical design management, construction quality, and operational improvement. Previously, Tahmid worked in consulting engineering, contributing to the design and delivery of large-scale commercial, mixed use residential, and master-planned developments.
His project experience includes Oakridge Park, Richmond Centre, King George Hub, The Post, The Amazing Brentwood, and other major developments. Tahmid holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from UBC Sauder School of Business.

Tariq Shobab

Operational Lead at Graham

Tariq Shobab has spent 13 years in heavy civil and infrastructure construction across Western Canada, managing deep foundations, marine work, demolition, and complex urban projects. He is a mechanical engineer by training and serves as an operational lead at Graham Construction in Vancouver. Alongside his day job, he coaches and mentors people and organizations on field leadership: how crews get led, and who should be leading them. He has mentored dozens of early-career professionals and speaks regularly at schools and industry events on the gap between doing the work and running it.

Simran Tiwari

Brand Manager at RAM Construction Inc.

I’m a storyteller at heart working in an industry that creates some of the most incredible stories. I never planned on falling in love with construction, but five years later, I can’t imagine telling stories in any other industry. As Brand Manager at RAM, I wear many hats, leading branding, marketing, social media, and proposals while helping bring the stories behind every build to life. With a background in Business, Marketing Management, and Project Management, I’m passionate about showcasing the people, grit, and innovation that happen beyond the final project photos. I believe branding is the legacy a company leaves behind, and my goal is to help transform the way people see construction, one story at a time.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

BUILDFest Is Built With The Support of Our Community.

We’re proud to recognize the companies and organizations helping bring BUILDFest 2026 to life. Your support makes it possible to create a new experience for the Lower Mainland construction community – one that brings people together, creates connections and gives our industry a place to gather, discover and BUILD.

To our sponsors – thank you for investing in our industry, supporting the VRCA Community and helping us make the first-ever BUILDFest one to remember.

Interested in Becoming A Sponsor? Spotlight Your Brand at BUILDFest.
Want to be part of something new? BUILDFest offers your company the opportunity to connect with the Lower Mainland construction community, increase your visibility and put your brand in front of the people who make our industry happen.

From event-wide visibility to opportunities to engage with attendees and showcase your support, there are a variety of ways to get involved.

Become a Sponsor