Celebrating Christina: A Professional of the Year Nomination Worth Getting Excited About!
We have some exciting news to share!
Our Founder and President, Christina Rauchfleisz-Shantz, has been nominated for Professional of the Year at the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 BDC Small Business Awards. We couldn’t be more thrilled to see her recognized alongside such an incredible group of local professionals.
For those who know Christina, you know how much heart, creativity and determination she brings to Legacy Builders. What started as an idea to help young people discover careers in construction has grown into a community effort connecting students, educators and industry professionals—and opening doors to possibilities students may never have considered.
Christina’s vision has always been clear: give students the career guidance and exposure she wishes she had received herself.
Through Legacy Builders, that vision comes to life in classrooms. Industry volunteers share their experiences, students work together through our hands-on Legacy Bidders activity, and conversations introduce the many people it takes to bring a construction project to life. From skilled trades and project management to design, safety, accounting and law, we help students see just how many pathways this industry offers.
Behind every classroom visit is a whole lot of work—and Christina is at the heart of making it happen. Building relationships with schools, supporting volunteers, connecting with sponsors and helping guide our growth takes commitment. Her nomination is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the person helping turn that commitment into meaningful experiences for students.
We are also proud to see Christina nominated alongside professionals representing such a broad range of organizations, including Explore WR, Great Lakes Helicopter, St. Jude’s, the BIA, A4C, the Kitchener Rangers, Clay & Glass and the Accelerator Centre. Congratulations to every nominee! It is an honour to be part of a community with so many people contributing their talents and leadership.
The awards will be presented on October 27, 2026, with the Professional of the Year category sponsored by Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. We’ll be cheering Christina on!
To our sponsors, volunteers, educators and industry partners: thank you for helping bring this vision to life. Every classroom we reach is possible because people in our community believe in the future we’re building together.
Congratulations, Christina! We’re proud of your leadership, grateful for your dedication and excited to celebrate this recognition with you.
