About Us

Bruce Kay is the proud owner of OnGrowing Works. Officially launched in 1999, he grew the company into one of North America’s leading sustainable living space providers. With a passion for low impact sustainable development, permaculture (fresh water conservation, rain water harvesting and food production) and traditional construction crafts (timber frame construction and real stone masonry), Bruce is highly sought after across western Canada for his 35+ years of technical knowledge and commitment to meticulous craftship. He is a longstanding member of government and trade organizations such as Landscape Alberta, Olds College School of Horticulture and Alberta Industry Training where he acts as an advisor and continually refines his expertise. Most importantly, Bruce is a family man and prioritizes spending quality time with his wife, kids and five grandchildren on Early Dawn Farm.

Mary H is the Vice President of OGW, bringing with her 20 years of experience across a range of industries. She joined the company in January 2023 and has since been instrumental in building teams to lead the company into the future. Mary’s expertise lies in operational optimization, strategic planning, and implementing health and safety programs.  One of the highlights of Mary’s career has been the opportunity to coach and support young leaders, helping them unlock their full potential. She finds great satisfaction in being a supportive team member and witnessing the growth of those she works with.

Outside of work, Mary enjoys spending time with her two puggles, who always manage to bring a smile to her face. She and her furry companions love exploring the woods and rivers in their local area. Mary is also an avid scuba diver, having been diving since she was 18.  When she’s not globetrotting or underwater, Mary can be found whipping up delicious meals in the kitchen. 

Mary’s decision to join OGW was driven by her desire to return to a small business environment after spending over 13 years in a large corporation. She finds the energy and passion of the team at OGW infectious, and is constantly inspired by their commitment to their work

As an Administrator, Ashley Moore ensures that OnGrowing Works’ office runs smoothly. Whether she’s scheduling projects, ensuring clients are helped from start to finish, welcoming people to the office or creating gift baskets, you can count on Ashley to get the task done. When you call OnGrowing Works, Ashley is your first point of contact and will put you in touch with the right team member to start your project. She is an advocate for taking care of our planet and appreciates OnGrowing Works’ sustainable values. Originally from Nova Scotia, Ashley is a vegetarian who loves animals and video games.

With 10 years of experience in plumbing and heating and another decade in permaculture, Colin McCarthy-Butt is nothing short of an industry expert. Having received a Red Seal Endorsement as both a Journeyman Plumber and Journeyman Gasfitter Class A, Colin was an easy addition to OnGrowing Works’ team of leads. Whether it’s service, new construction or a renovation, Colin specializes in all aspects of plumbing and heating, and he also has various skills in solar thermal heating, rainwater harvesting and permaculture. Outside of work, Colin enjoys spending time with his kids, engaging with his community, learning new skills to better himself and playing the guitar. While he was drawn to OnGrowing Works’ focus on sustainability and permaculture, he also loves the family-feel and personal values that the company embodies.

With more than two decades of experience, Greg Sherstianko is OnGrowing Works’ Construction Supervisor. In this capacity, he leads the company’s construction crew, while also mentoring new employees, reviewing drawings and ordering materials. Greg worked as an OnGrowing Works subcontractor for over five years before coming on full time in February 2022. Making the transition to a permanent position was an easy decision for him as he loves the company’s family-oriented and team approach. Not to mention that he gets to work on extremely interesting projects in his very own hometown of Cochrane, Alberta. As a Journeyperson Carpenter and Architectural Technologist specializing in building development, Greg was inspired to join the construction industry after taking part in Habitat for Humanity projects where he had the opportunity to build homes in Mexico. He also enjoys spending time with my family, camping, biking, and playing hockey and golf.

At OnGrowing Works, Aline Melo is responsible for all aspects of residential and interior design. With over a decade of experience and a degree in Architecture and Urbanism, she creates functional spaces that align with client expectations. Whether Aline is meeting with clients, preparing layouts, coordinating electrical, mechanical or civil engineers, or researching material selections, she plays a critical role in ensuring each client’s vision is exceeded. Aline loves how supportive and understanding the OnGrowing Works team is, especially when it comes to clients, and thinks that the team’s ability to communicate ensures a positive customer experience. At home, Aline also puts her design skills to work through DIY projects with her husband and spends as much time as possible with her children.

Brenda Beck Edwards describes herself as a farmer, horseperson and gardener. Not to mention the over 20 years of safety, first aid training, planning and administration experience she brings to the OnGrowing Works family. In her role as Safety Coordinator and Seasonal Horticulturalist, Brenda ensures that the company continues to exceed the highest workplace safety protocols, while also assisting with landscaping and planting projects. She holds post-secondary qualifications in adult education, training and coaching, and loves working outdoors. Outside of OnGrowing Works, she spends time with family, and as an avid rodeo lover, Brenda works on a team that produces the Calgary Stampede rodeo.