Meet our Energy Trailblazer: Will Gonell
Will Gonell
Owner, Gonell Homes Inc.
Toronto, ON
Will Gonell is dedicated to driving the adoption of clean technology in the construction industry. As the owner of Gonell Homes in Toronto, he specializes in custom home building and renovations, integrating green practices and historic restorations. His journey from U.S. Marine and NYPD officer to construction leader reflects his commitment to community and environmental impact.
Passionate about designing regenerative environments, Will was a professor researching sustainable building practices. He stays current on industry trends and has advised the City of Toronto, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), and George Brown College on net zero and climate mitigation strategies.
With over a decade of experience, Gonell operates an internationally award-winning business. He leads multiple teams across various sites, manages finances, and fosters long-term client relationships. Guided by science-based sustainability targets, he upholds LEED, WELL, Energy Star, and Net-Zero standards in every project.
“I purposely sought out the pioneers and learned directly from the source,” Will reflects, emphasizing his focus on applying best practices in sustainability. His commitment to quality and sustainability has made Gonell Homes a trusted name in Toronto’s construction industry, with homes built over a decade ago still surpassing current standards.
Will’s Career Journey
Education
Harvard Business School Online Certification in Global Business.
UofT Rotman School of Management Sustainability Leadership: Innovation for Growth.
Certifications
Obtained LEED, WELL AP & Faculty, Net-Zero Renovator and Building Training, and Passive House Certification.
On-the-Job Experience
Started at Authentic Construction and quickly progressed to Project Manager specializing in ICF.
Founded his construction company Gonell Homes Inc. with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
Currently teaches Business Management & Development at George Brown College.
Advice on entering the energy efficiency sector
As a female and a Black female, there are always going to be obstacles. That doesn’t mean, however, that I didn’t face them head-on. I like a challenge. I welcome it, actually. It motivates me. So for any women out there who are BIPOC or women in general, we are dominating a very male-induced industry.
Where things are trending in workforce development is, upskilling the soft skills that you don’t have. We’ve recognized that it’s not just learning the technical stuff, you have to give them the management skills and the business skills and the stakeholder engagement skills.
The great thing is that with this sector, there is such a need for workers that they are offering courses to everyone. That’s really opening up for people. You don’t need to go back to school necessarily. Go do a degree or diploma. You can take like little courses at a time to upskill yourself and make yourself relevant.
