Barbara O’Reilly, vice president/general manager with Rheem Canada, received the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating’s (CIPH) inaugural Women of Distinction Award.

The new award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to mentoring, developing and promoting women in the plumbing and heating industry. O’Reilly has been with Rheem Canada for more than 27 years and currently sits as a director on the board of the CIPH.

She began her career in the plumbing and heating industry with Rheem Canada in 1980, first as a customer support representative and progressing through roles of increasing responsibility, before being promoted to general manager in 2019.

She is an advocate for women in business, establishing and leading the Rheem Canada Women in Business Mentorship group and is a past chair of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Women’s network.

Created in November 2016, the CIPH Women’s Network supports the professional development of women within Canada’s plumbing and heating industry.

The CIPH Women of Distinction award was handed out at the CIPH Annual Business Conference 2022 in Jasper, AB, and was presented to O’Reilly by Siân Smith of Riptide Fulfillment Corp., a past CIPH chair (2015-16) and a founder of the CIPH Women’s Network.

In 2023 the CIPH Annual Business Conference will take place in St. John’s, NL.