Shaping Sustainable Land Development with Purpose

What drew you to civil engineering, and specifically land development?

I’ve always been drawn to meaningful work and problem-solving. Civil engineering forms the backbone of our communities, delivering clean water, safe sanitary systems, and protecting our waterways. Land development gives me the opportunity to be part of a team that responsibly shapes new communities in ways that provide lasting benefits to residents.

How do you approach the challenge of balancing client goals, municipal requirements, and technical standards in community projects?

At the core, clients and municipalities share the same goal: to deliver housing through servicing strategies that are safe, efficient, and sustainable. I find it helpful to keep that common purpose front of mind. From there, the task becomes finding the most effective pathway to align technical standards with project objectives.

Communication and coordination are central to your work. How do you make sure all stakeholders stay aligned from approvals through construction?

I believe follow-through is critical. A task isn’t complete until the outcome is achieved, not just when an email is sent or a call is made. Clear organization, reminders, and consistent follow-ups ensure stakeholders stay engaged and aligned at every stage of a project.

What’s one project you’ve been especially proud to support at DSEL so far?

The Tewin project stands out. It’s an exciting development that will transform land in southeast Ottawa into a sustainable, connected, and complete community, guided by Algonquin values and designed to house more than 35,000 residents. At DSEL, I’ve had the opportunity to support this vision through our technical work.

Outside of work, what keeps you motivated or inspired?

Canada is facing a housing crisis, and every month new reports highlight the scale of the challenge. Knowing that my work contributes to addressing this issue and helps shape the City’s future growth keeps me motivated and inspired.