Women in HVAC

What Women in HVAC does

Women In HVACR is a Canadian nonprofit organization founded in 2020 by Nathalie Brooks (owner of Brooks Heating & Air) and Shelley Vallee-Ewing (District Sales Manager at Vista Services) to address the underrepresentation of women in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration trades, where less than 4% of skilled trades jobs nationally are held by women. The organization is 100% volunteer-run and operates a national network connecting women working in HVACR, women exploring trades careers, immigrant trades professionals, and HVACR employers across Canada through events, school outreach, mentorship, and a Resource Centre and Job Board. It is headquartered with national operational reach across Canada and registered under the .ca domain (womeninhvac.ca), with operating geographies spanning all Canadian provinces.

The organization monetizes primarily through a five-tier corporate sponsorship program (Bronze $500, Silver $1,000, Gold $2,500, Platinum $5,000, Diamond $7,500), an open membership program, and a merchandise store selling branded apparel. Its core products include the Membership Program, Sponsorship Program, Resource Centre, Job Board, Education and Outreach Program (with school ambassador visits), Skilled Trades Advocates Program, Ambassador/Mentorship Program, Events and Career Fairs, Merchandise Store, and a Partnership Program for aligned organizations. Underlying technology is limited to a Wix-based website and standard social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) with a quarterly email newsletter; no proprietary technology, applications, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

The go-to-market is community-led: the organization reaches women through networking events, career fairs, educational outreach in schools, mentoring initiatives, sponsorship partnerships, and presence at major industry trade shows (CMPX, CIPHEX West, Heat Pump Symposium, HRAI Conference, Skills Ontario). It maintains 18+ strategic partnerships spanning colleges (George Brown, Georgian, Algonquin), industry associations (HRAI, CAWIC, WMC, MCAC, OAWA), apprenticeship support organizations (CASP, Kick Ass Careers), pre-apprenticeship providers (YWCA Hamilton), and immigration bridge programs (The Career Foundation). The Diamond sponsorship tier anchors relationships with Vista Services, Kane Canada, and Wolseley as founding financial backers.

Name

Women in HVAC

Legal name

Women In HVACR

Website

https://womeninhvac.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Women In HVACR is a Canadian nonprofit founded in 2020 that provides networking, education, mentoring, and career development for women in the HVACR trades across Canada, funded by corporate sponsorships, memberships, and merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Skilled Trades Advocacy / Non-Profit Community Organization

NAICS

Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (238220)

SIC

Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro primary industry

HVAC & Refrigeration Contracting (IMAFALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

HVAC Installation & Service (Residential & Commercial) (EDAOACAC)

Keywords

• Skilled trades advocacy
• HVAC industry networking
• Women mentorship programs
• Trades career outreach
• HVAC workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Cartago

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers (Bronze $500, Silver $1,000, Gold $2,500, Platinum $5,000, Diamond $7,500) providing funding and in-kind support.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts ($30 + HST), hats, hoodies through the merch store.
3. Membership: Open membership available to anyone supporting the awareness and development of career advancement opportunities for women in HVACR. Membership benefits include logo usage, social media features, newsletter access, event invitations, and networking.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Women In HVACR is a Canadian non-profit organization that supports women in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) industry through membership, corporate sponsorships, an ambassador/mentorship program, a resource centre, a job board, school outreach events, career fairs, and branded merchandise sales. It operates as a community-driven, volunteer-led organization delivering networking, education, mentoring, and professional development for women in skilled trades across Canada.

Product overview

Women in HVAC Canada is a non-profit advocacy organization (not a technology company) focused on promoting the inclusion and advancement of women in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) industry across Canada. The organization operates a membership program offering networking, professional development, and marketing benefits; a multi-tiered corporate sponsorship program (Bronze through Diamond); a partnership program for aligned organizations; an education and outreach initiative with school ambassador visits; an ambassador/mentorship program; a resource centre providing apprenticeship and training information; a job board connecting professionals with employers; and merchandise sales. The organization also hosts and participates in industry events and career fairs. The organization was founded in 2020 by Nathalie Brooks and Shelley Vallee-Ewing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Program Membership program offering networking, professional development, and advocacy for women in the HVACR industry. Benefits include use of the Women in HVAC Canada logo on marketing materials, social media features, quarterly newsletter access, event and webinar attendance, guest speaker opportunities, and network access.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Corporate sponsorship program with five tiers: Bronze ($500), Silver ($1,000), Gold ($2,500), Platinum ($5,000), and Diamond ($7,500), supporting women in HVACR through financial contributions and industry support.
• Resource Centre

Quantifiable outcome

• First in-person event attracted 135 attendees plus virtual attendees from across Canada
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OAWA (Ontario Association of Women's Apprentices)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Ontario-based organization supporting women apprentices in trades, aligned mission to promote women's inclusion in skilled trades
• George Brown CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partnership supporting women in trades through programs like WTTE (Women Transitioning to Trades and Employment)
• Georgian CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partnership providing training and education pathways for women in HVACR
• Women In HVACR UScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister organization partnership sharing resources, recruitment videos, and best practices for promoting women in HVACR across North America
• Kick Ass CareerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative engaging, educating and encouraging young people about careers in skilled trades through school and community outreach
• CAWIC (Canadian Association of Women in Construction)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization promoting women in construction, aligned with Women In HVACR's mission
• GTTI (Skilled Trades Institute)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkilled trades training institute partnership supporting education and training pathways
• HRAI (Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partnership; first meeting held at HRAI head office; co-founder active in HRAI Women in HVAC team; access to industry events and networking
• Skills OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Young Women's Initiatives and conferences during Skills Ontario Competition; Jennifer Green from Skills Ontario received Dream Builder Award
• YWCA HamiltoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership offering Pre-Apprenticeship programs for Women in Trades including Refrigeration and AC Systems Mechanic (313A) at no-cost
• Support Youth OntariominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting youth in Ontario, aligned initiatives
• CMPX (Canadian Mechanical & Plumbing Exposition)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiennial industry expo partnership; Women In HVACR participates with booth presence at major trade show
• MCAC (Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partnership supporting mechanical construction and HVAC
• WMC (Women in Mechanical Construction)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram under MCAC dedicated to women in mechanical construction, aligned mission
• Algonquin CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partnership providing HVACR training pathways
• The Career FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer services organization offering the Foundations in HVAC Ontario Bridge Training Program for immigrants
• CLAC (Christian Labour Association of Canada)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor union partnership supporting skilled trades workers
• CASP (Canadian Apprenticeship Support Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerApprenticeship support organization helping new apprentices navigate the system

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Women in Trades & Technology (WITT) - The Redwood: Mentorship-focused initiative for women in trades and technology. Operates networking and mentoring events directly comparable to Women In HVACR's mentoring and ambassador programs.
• The Career Foundation (HVAC Bridge Training): Offers the Foundations in HVAC Ontario Bridge Training Program for immigrants — operates HVAC-specific training pipelines that are directly comparable and partnered with Women In HVACR.
• Women in HVACR US: US sister organization of Women In HVACR Canada, focused on the same mission of supporting women in HVACR trades. They share resources and recruitment videos, making them the closest direct peer operationally though geographically distinct.
• Women Unlimited: Canadian nonprofit supporting women entering skilled trades and technology careers. Runs mentoring and exploration programs directly comparable to Women In HVACR's ambassador/mentorship function.
• OAWA (Ontario Association of Women's Apprentices): Ontario-based organization supporting women apprentices in skilled trades, explicitly listed as a Women In HVACR partner. Operates an adjacent apprenticeship-pipeline model for women in trades.
• YWCA Hamilton (Pre-Apprenticeship Programs): Runs free Pre-Apprenticeship programs for Women in Trades including Refrigeration and AC Systems Mechanic (313A). Directly complementary to Women In HVACR's mission and listed as a Core partner.
• Women in Mechanical Construction (WMC): Program under MCAC dedicated to women in mechanical construction, including HVAC. Operates as a parallel nonprofit structure with similar mission and overlapping industry sponsor base.
• Kick Ass Careers: Initiative engaging, educating, and encouraging young people about skilled trades careers through school and community outreach — listed as a Core partner of Women In HVACR and operating a directly comparable school ambassador program.
• CAWIC (Canadian Association of Women in Construction): National Canadian nonprofit promoting women in the construction industry, aligned mission with Women In HVACR. Both organizations focus on advocacy, networking, and career advancement for women in adjacent trades.

Regional players

• Skills Ontario: Ontario-focused skills and trades advocacy organization running career fairs, Young Women's Initiatives, and competitions. Comparable in mission of promoting trades to women, with broader skills mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbwp3PbOZ1Wgw5WbDvn9G3g
• Facebookfacebook.com/womeninhvacrcanada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women-in-hvacr-canada
• Instagraminstagram.com/women_in_hvacr_canada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Women in HVAC