Early in my career, projects were usually designed around historical conditions, and we’re increasingly realizing that this approach doesn’t always cut it. Climate variability, population growth, aging infrastructure, changing regulatory expectations, and dynamic funding priorities urge us to think further ahead.

In this context, resilience starts with planning soundly for uncertainty and building flexibility into every stage of a project. More broadly, effective water management requires a systems-based approach that considers the entire watershed, community, and asset lifecycle. Balancing technical, environmental, operational, and long-term affordability aspects leads to more resilient outcomes. And along the way, collaborating with engineers, operators, regulators, Indigenous communities, municipal leaders, residents, and all stakeholders yields consensus on priorities, along with the balanced perspective critical to holistic solutions and long-term community value. As my focus broadened to support other types of infrastructure, it became clear that these resilience principles can often be applied universally.

The forecast for Canada’s water infrastructure is influenced by three key factors: aging water and wastewater systems that require major renewal and replacement, population growth and housing development that are increasing the demand for servicing capacity, and climate change, which is driving investments in flood protection, stormwater management, drought resilience, and system reliability.

These pressures, combined with significant funding programs focused on housing-enabling and climate-resilient infrastructure, are expected to support sustained investment in water infrastructure across Canada for many years. And of course, continued advancements in treatment priorities and technologies will continue to play a huge role in how we approach water infrastructure improvement requirements.

I was inspired to join GFT for several reasons. First, it presented an opportunity to work alongside highly respected colleagues whose expertise and reputation I have admired throughout my career. Equally important was the consistent feedback I heard from clients, who repeatedly highlighted GFT’s ability to do what it says it will do and reliably deliver on its commitments; the industry has observed that GFT’s teams are “all in.”

I was also drawn to the company’s aspiration to become the most people-centric firm in the AEC industry, recognizing that long-term success starts with investing in and supporting great people. Finally, GFT’s long-term approach to growth strongly resonated with me — focusing on sustainable, organic expansion driven by consistent project delivery, investment in teams, and a commitment to long-term value rather than reacting to short-term financial fluctuations. Together, those qualities made GFT a compelling place to build the next chapter of my career.

I’m very fortunate to have been drawn to reading at an early age, and I seriously considered studying English before enrolling in engineering. These days, reading continues to provide a necessary break from digital distractions.

I also enjoy learning other languages for fun, currently alternating between learning Japanese and Spanish, but maybe don’t ask me to say anything just yet.

And in terms of recharging, I like pretty much every activity that keeps me outside – hiking, camping, cycling, volleyball, just to name a few.