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BUILD MANITOBA     winnipegconstruction.ca
IMPACT BUILDERS
C
hristine Snodgrass learned to read 
blueprints – back when they were 
actually blue – before she turned eight. 
By 10, she was sweeping floors as a 
janitor at Con-Pro Industries. Over  
the years, she has moved through  
nearly every role in the company, 
including administrative assistant,  
safety coordinator, estimator and  
project manager. 
Last year marked an important moment 
for Con-Pro. While Snodgrass has long 
been leading the company’s operations, 
in 2025, she officially took the helm 
of the second-generation business. 
Snodgrass’s leadership represents both 
continuity and progression, honouring 
a 50-plus-year legacy while positioning 
the firm for a new chapter.
We talked with Con-Pro’s president 
about growing up in construction, 
leading with intention and shaping the 
future of Con-Pro.
BUILD MANITOBA: You’ve grown 
up in and around construction and 
gained experience in nearly every area 
of the business. How have those early, 
hands-on experiences shaped the 
leader you are today?
CHRISTINE SNODGRASS: I grew 
up in a family construction business, 
so being around projects, drawings 
and conversations about work was 
part of everyday life. Some of my best 
memories are of sitting beside my dad, 
Don Snodgrass, asking questions while 
he reviewed estimates and blueprints at 
his desk in the den at home.
Don brought us to jobsites and into 
the office whenever he could, which 
gave me exposure to many sides of the 
business. At the time, it wasn’t common 
to see girls as part of those spaces, but 
that never crossed his mind. To Don, 
learning the work and being part of 
the team mattered the most, and that 
mindset shaped how I see leadership 
and opportunity today.
Those experiences made construction 
feel natural to me. Reading blueprints 
always felt like a language I grew up 
speaking. More importantly, I had the 
chance to observe leadership up close. 
Don emphasized that people are the 
foundation of our company and that 
respect and dignity should guide every 
decision. Watching how he treated 
employees, subcontractors and clients 
left a lasting impression on me, and it’s a 
philosophy I carry forward today.
Growing up immersed in the business 
didn’t just teach me technical skills; it 
shaped my belief that strong leadership 
comes from understanding every part 
of the work, valuing people first and 
creating opportunities for others to feel 
they belong in this industry.
BM: As part of the second generation 
leading Con-Pro, how do you approach 
continuing the company’s legacy while 
also evolving it for the future?
CS: My approach is always working 
to balance respect for the company’s 
legacy with a focus on future growth. 
We have people who have been with 
the company for 50-plus years, and 
their knowledge, commitment and 
experience are the foundation of who 
we are. Honouring that history means 
holding true to the values the company 
was built on and ensuring the expertise 
of long-standing employees continues 
to guide how we operate. We do this by 
creating opportunities for experienced 
employees to pass on lessons learned 
to the next generation of employees 
and leaders. In this way, we keep our 
foundation strong while equipping our 
teams to adapt and grow into  
the future.
At the same time, I’m focused on looking 
forward. We’re implementing new 
technologies, modernizing processes 
and embracing innovation so we can 
continue to evolve in a rapidly changing 
industry. Con-Pro has always been 
incredibly agile, and I see my role as 
walking the line between tradition 
and progress – keeping what makes 
us strong while also adapting and 
positioning the company for the future.
With decades of hands-on experience across 
every corner of Con-Pro Industries, Christine 
Snodgrass formally takes the reins, blending 
tradition, innovation and woman-led leadership 
at a pivotal moment for the company
CHRISTINE  
SNODGRASS
By Twila Driedger
WOMEN-LED EXCELLENCE

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