Women in Leadership Spotlight: Cindy Toews

Quality Control Lead, Bilton Welding and Manufacturing Ltd.

Cindy’s leadership is grounded, precise, and built on decades of experience. With over 30 years in manufacturing and four of those at Bilton, she has become a trusted voice in quality assurance and a key figure in maintaining the standards our clients rely on.

Her current role as Quality Control Lead goes beyond inspection checklists. Cindy helps ensure that every product leaving our facility represents not only Bilton’s technical excellence, but the pride we take in getting things right from the start.

A Career Built on Credibility and Craft

Cindy began her Bilton journey as a Quality Control Inspector. Through hands-on experience across departments, she gained deep insight into our products, processes, and team dynamics. Her natural eye for detail and dedication to doing things right the first time made quality control the right place to grow.

“I’ve always taken pride in high standards. I don’t believe in cutting corners. When quality is compromised, trust is too.”

Cindy’s career spans over three decades, during which she has earned her place in a field that continues to evolve. She has thrived in a space where female leadership is still growing, helping to reshape perceptions through her example.

“One of the greatest challenges has been needing to prove myself over and over. But each challenge made me more driven and more confident in what I bring to the table.”

Defining What Leadership Looks Like in Quality

Cindy’s day-to-day involves much more than inspections. Her mornings begin by reviewing production schedules and identifying areas that may need closer monitoring. She works alongside production, engineering, and management to proactively identify potential issues and implement corrective actions before problems take root.

What defines Cindy’s leadership is her approach to communication. She leads with transparency and structure, offering timely, clear feedback that supports both accountability and growth.

“Feedback should be respectful, direct, and solution focused. Accountability only works when expectations are clear and people feel supported in meeting them.”

Advice for Women in Technical or Quality-Focused Roles

Cindy’s advice for women entering the trades or aiming for leadership in technical fields is rooted in self-awareness and action:

“Know your value. Stay curious. Don’t wait to be invited to the table. Bring your own chair.”

She encourages women to stay engaged, ask questions, seek hands-on experience, and continue learning. Confidence, she says, grows from knowledge and follow-through.

“Leadership starts with taking ownership and helping others succeed. If you lead with integrity, the title will follow.”

Quality as a Culture

Cindy believes quality is not a checkpoint, it is a culture. It is the combination of every small decision, every team collaboration, and every standard upheld day in and day out.

At Bilton, we are proud to spotlight Cindy not only for her technical expertise but for her role in shaping a more inclusive and accountable industry. Her journey is a reminder that the highest standards are upheld by leaders who don’t just talk about quality. They live it.