Meghan McCracken believes in meeting people where they are at.

McCracken is a career advisor at Women Building Futures, where her main goal is to train women to work in the trades industry. She is also the program director for Volunteer Airdrie’s Youth Volunteer Corps, where she helps youth get into projects to help serve the community while building valuable life skills.

“I strive to connect with and support people exactly where they are — whether it’s the women I assist or the youth I engage with,” says McCracken.

“My mentorship philosophy centres on recognizing individuals for who they are, breaking down any barriers they’ve built due to life’s challenges and inspiring the best in them. To see people grow and become better versions of themselves is so rewarding.”

McCracken says youth in general feel displaced and unheard. She hopes her work can help create an environment where youth feel they can be themselves, make mistakes and grow from them.

McCracken was nominated for the Amazing Mentor Award seven times.

“Meghan goes out of her way to build community connections so that we can create engaging and meaningful volunteer opportunities for the youth in our program,” says nominator Madelaine Coupland.

Another nominator, Christy Garland, says: “I work with Meghan at her regular day job where she assists women in the trades with interview skills, resumes and coaching. She works very hard to uplift women who face barriers of all kinds.”