Meet Julie Zulich, RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Excellence Finalist

Julie Zulich is President and CEO of TESC Contracting Company Ltd., a leading provider of integrated construction services in Northern Ontario and a 2025 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards finalist. With over 300 employees, TESC delivers industrial, infrastructure, and institutional projects throughout the region. Under Julie’s leadership, the company is entering a new chapter of growth while deepening its client and trade relationships.

Having spent 20+ years in leadership roles and growing up as the daughter of TESC’s founder, Julie combines hands-on industry knowledge with a commitment to talent development, collaboration, and challenging the status quo. She has also broken barriers in the construction industry, serving as the first female board member of both the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada and the Electrical Contractors Association of Northern Ontario, and championing diversity, inclusion, and community engagement across Sudbury.

Meet Julie and discover how she is shaping the future of construction in Northern Ontario.

I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur when…

In the middle of my second year of a Bachelor of Science at the University of Western Ontario, I decided to change course and shifted into business, where I found my passion.

Entrepreneurship is made for me because…

I’ve cultivated a strong network through my experience and growth in the business world. I’ve built meaningful relationships not only with industry clients, but also with a trusted pool of former employees who continue to be valuable sources of advice and support for resourcing needs.  

The impact I hope to make through my work is…

Changing the face of construction, seeing more women enter trades and sitting around boardroom tables. Setting the stage for our company to celebrate another successful 50 years, bringing superior value to clients, growing and investing in our associates (aka employees), their families, and our community. 

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned on my entrepreneurial journey is…

Patience is a journey, and empathy is about balancing my innate care for people and their needs with those of the business.

My proudest accomplishment is…

Raising three incredible people who are making their own unique way in the world, in ways utterly different from what I envisioned—and all grounded in good values. From a business perspective, I won’t forget negotiating a significant construction contract on a handshake. I thought that those types of negotiations were non-existent, where your word is your bond. Pride came from how this was done, taking the 6-hour drive to get face-to-face and present the truth to a client. The bottom line was that we were rewarded for our honesty when we got to transact in line with our values. It was a proud moment.

The biggest risk I took that paid off was…

Taking on the CEO role in an over 40-year-old construction company, with a deeply rooted mentality that “this is the way it’s done around here,” and having the skill, grit, care and passion to turn it into a growing, innovative, sustainable, inclusive and diverse enterprise.  

My biggest setback has been…

Not seeing myself in that CEO role and making it happen sooner in my career.  

I overcame it by…

Recognizing the opportunity, looking for ways to utilize the platform as an agent for change—essentially jumping in, seeking out the best people in the industry to work with and making them part of the team.

The best advice I’ve received as an entrepreneur was…

Not every opportunity is a good opportunity: learn how to say no. Also, that feedback should be viewed as a gift—both with giving and getting it, and what you do with it.  

I surprise people when I tell them…

I am the CEO and owner of an industrial construction company in the ICI sector.

If I had an extra hour in the day, I would use it to…

I wouldn’t change much – most likely something to focus on my health, hiking in nature.

If you googled me, you still wouldn’t know…

I was a world-renowned mini stick goalie back in my day (at least, that’s what my son says).

The future excites me because…

There is opportunity in everything, especially as tech continues to evolve. What will our industry look like in 10 years? What innovation in construction will truly be a game-changer, enabling safer production across all sectors? I love to be challenged and learn, and I still have a ton of learning ahead of me.  

Connect with Julie Zulich on LinkedIn.