Cassidy didn’t take over her parents’ business—instead, she and her husband, Gerald, built their own. “When we started dating, Gerald was working as a framer, and eventually we decided to start our own framing business,” Cassidy says. “My parents gave us a great opportunity—they were building a new house and told us, ‘We’ll buy the tools if you frame it at a reduced price, and after that, you can keep the tools.’ It worked out for both of us.”

That framing business eventually evolved into 3rd Generation Homes, a nod to both Cassidy’s and Gerald’s family histories in construction. But just a few years into the business, Cassidy faced a life-altering challenge: Gerald was battling a severe case of Crohn’s disease.

“There were moments where I thought, ‘He’s not going to make it,’” Cassidy recalls. “I realized I might be left as a 24-year-old single mom with no education, and no one’s ever going to want to buy a house from me unless I do something about it.”

Determined to keep the business afloat, Cassidy stepped into the role of President and began looking for ways to equip herself to lead. “That’s when I pursued my project management certificate through UBC Sauder,” she says. “It was a game changer—it gave me the tools to manage not just projects but the business as a whole.”

Cassidy is proud of the culture she’s built at 3rd Generation Homes—one rooted in flexibility, trust, and genuine care. “We’ve had team members with us for over a decade, which is almost unheard of in construction,” Cassidy says. “That’s because we prioritize our people. If someone needs to leave early for a kid’s Christmas concert or take a day off for family, we make it work. When you take care of your team, they take care of the business.”

This people-first approach hasn’t just fostered loyalty—it’s allowed Cassidy to focus on scaling strategically. “Our team’s commitment let’s us take on bigger, better projects without needing to grow beyond what feels manageable.”

As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Cassidy has faced her fair share of challenges. “I’ve had people ask, ‘Is your husband coming? Is your dad coming? Can I talk to the builder?’ And I have to tell them, ‘No, I’m the builder,’” she says with a laugh. “Sometimes they push back, like, ‘No, the actual builder,’ and I have to remind them—I am the actual builder.”

Being a woman in construction has also opened doors. “Many homeowners, especially women, appreciate having someone they can connect with,” Cassidy explains. “I’ve had clients say, ‘I don’t want the guy driving around in a truck with a cell phone, calling himself a business owner.’ Having another woman to talk to, especially when the wife is making most of the decisions, can make all the difference.”

Outside the boardroom, Cassidy’s leadership shines in her community. For over 11 years, she has dedicated herself to coaching basketball at her local high school—transforming a program that hadn’t reached provincials since the 1980s. With a vision that extended beyond immediate results, Cassidy began developing the program with one goal in mind: to create an environment where her daughter could one day play and thrive. Her long-term commitment has not only elevated the performance of both junior and senior teams but also instilled a culture of teamwork and character development. Now, as her daughter plays on the senior team, that early vision is coming to life.

In addition to her coaching, Cassidy has made significant strides in industry advocacy. She broke ground as the first female president of the Central Okanagan Home Builders Association, and when the opportunity arose, she transitioned into the role of executive officer, advocating for the residential construction industry. In these capacities, she champions issues ranging from building codes and zoning to expanding opportunities for trades and influencing government policies—ensuring that the voices of home builders are heard in a heavily regulated industry.