Member Spotlight: EllisDon – Leading Safety
Adam Lane and Megan Smith at the 2025 CSNS AGM & Safety Awards
At Construction Safety Nova Scotia, we’re proud to recognize individuals and organizations who go beyond compliance to create safer, healthier, and more inclusive workplaces. This year, we’re thrilled to celebrate Megan Smith, Health, Safety, and Environmental Coordinator at EllisDon, as the recipient of our Women in Safety Leadership Award.
Megan’s leadership is rooted in empathy and authenticity. Onsite, she creates safe spaces where people feel comfortable raising both safety concerns and personal challenges. Her approachable style and expertise have made her a standout figure in EllisDon’s safety culture.
Her impact extends beyond just her role. Megan has been involved in organizing the Women in Construction events, helping women connect, share experiences, tackle challenges. What started small has grown into meaningful, company-supported initiatives.
“The industry wasn’t always designed with diversity in mind, but EllisDon is working to change that. Safety starts with inclusion, and inclusion grows when people feel seen and supported,” Megan shares.
Inclusivity is an important part of how EllisDon approaches safety. Their Fit Your Frame initiative provides tailored PPE for diverse body types, ensuring comfort and safety for all workers. Feminine hygiene products are available on site, and the gender ratio in offices is approaching 50/50.
Supporting wellbeing, On and Off Site
While Megan’s leadership shines, it’s also part of a broader culture at EllisDon, one that earned the company an Honourable Mention for Workplace Mental Health Award this year and an Honourable Mention Best Safety Culture in 2024. From coast to coast, safety is embedded in everything they do, whether it’s starting meetings with a safety moment or investing in mental health resources.
“There’s been a big shift in the last five or six years,” says Adam Lane, Safety Manager for EllisDon’s Maritime operations. “Safety isn’t just the responsibility of the safety team anymore; it’s a company-wide initiative. From senior management to site workers, everyone is involved.”
To expand their psychological safety programming, the company has hired a Director of Mental Health and a Mental Health Specialist, rolled out mental health toolbox talks, and enhanced its employee assistance program and benefits.
“We don’t just recognize mental health, we prioritize it,” Megan shares. “These programs have changed how we work and how we support each other. It’s life changing for those who need it.”
The organization encourages employees to take initiative and lead change, fostering a collaborative environment through Indigenous culture events, cross-regional knowledge sharing, and other initiatives where ideas are welcomed and acted on.
“We celebrate successes,” Adam adds. “Safety isn’t just about what went wrong, it’s about what we did right. That positive reinforcement helps build a culture where people feel valued and motivated.”
Looking Ahead
Led by dedicated people like Megan Smith and Adam Lane, EllisDon shows what’s possible when safety is truly a shared responsibility. Their work with CSNS, including training and certification, continues to strengthen their foundation and inspire others across the industry.
