Graham is pleased to congratulate Diogo Fresco, Senior Operations Manager, on being named to On-Site Magzine’s Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction list for 2026.
The annual recognition celebrates emerging leaders making an impact on Canada’s construction industry through professional achievement, leadership, innovation and community involvement.
Diogo has built a career delivering complex institutional and healthcare projects while developing strong teams and advancing operational performance. He currently oversees several major Ontario projects under construction.
These include the Shalom Manor Hamilton Campus of Care, a 264,000 sq. ft. long-term care facility; the 224-bed Ng Siu Chan Centre; the Belmont House Long Term Care redevelopment; and the Brantford Sports & Entertainment Centre, one of the region’s largest community infrastructure investments.
As Dominic Gallagher, District Manager, Toronto, explains, “Across these projects, Diogo has a real ability to bring people together, especially when projects become complex or conditions start to change. He builds trust with clients, consultants, trade partners and our own teams, and he keeps everyone focused on finding practical solutions and moving the project forward.”
Developing People and Strengthening Performance
A defining aspect of Diogo’s leadership is his focus on developing others. He supports project leaders in taking ownership, making decisions and navigating difficult situations.
On one complex institutional project, evolving scope and schedule pressures had strained the relationship between the client and project team. Diogo coached the Project Manager on strengthening communications, improving reporting transparency and leading difficult client conversations. By providing guidance while keeping the Project Manager as the primary project voice, he helped restore trust and improve collaboration without formal escalation.
This commitment to development extends across Graham’s project and operations teams, where Diogo regularly mentors emerging leaders and shares lessons learned from his experience.
Improving How Teams Plan and Deliver Work
Diogo has also helped strengthen operational planning across Graham’s Ontario Buildings group. As the volume of active work increased, he identified a need for greater visibility into future staffing requirements and led the development of a structured workforce planning and resource forecasting process.
This approach helps teams identify potential resource gaps earlier, reduce scheduling conflicts and make more informed deployment decisions across multiple projects.
Diogo’s construction expertise is complemented by a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Analysis and Public Health and specialized CSA-recognized training in infection control during construction, renovation and maintenance of healthcare facilities. He also holds certifications spanning project management, financial and resource management, quality and safety systems.
Beyond project delivery, Diogo participates in construction industry events and educational forums and supports community initiatives including Threads of Life’s Steps for Life campaign and the Luso Canadian Charitable Society.
Diogo’s recognition reflects a leadership approach that combines technical and operational expertise with a commitment to developing people, improving performance and contributing to stronger communities.
Congratulations, Diogo, on this well-deserved recognition.
