Jury
Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards Jury This year’s jury of industry experts convened in downtown Toronto in June to discuss and vote on the candidates in the final round of award selections. The following are the esteemed members of the 2023 jury:
CHAIR Jennifer Drake, Ph.D., P.Eng. Dr. Jennifer Drake is an associate professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering at Carleton University. She specializes in drainage engineering, low-impact development (LID) and green infrastructure. Her work draws heavily on principles of sustainability, best management practices and holistic, interdisciplinary design. Her research team works to advance stormwater design, operations and maintenance for the unique climate and urban environments of Canadian cities.
Ahmad Al-Ali, P.Eng., M.Eng. Ahmad Al-Ali is director of hydro business development at Ontario Power Generation (OPG), leading efforts in developing untapped hydroelectric potential in Northern Ontario, including greenfields, existing generating station upgrades, advocacy and broader system integration. He has firsthand knowledge of the utility industry, having led key undertakings in engineering, operations and asset and project management.
Marcy Burchfield Marcy Burchfield is vice-president (VP) of transit planning for Metrolinx. She has worked in regional planning for nearly two decades, influencing transportation, land use, environmental and economic development policy from a place-based, data-riven perspective, to understand metropolitan-scale problems. She also sits on the board of directors for the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI).
Jim Burpee, P.Eng., ICD.D. Jim Burpee has more than 40 years’ experience in the electricity and climate change field, much of it with Ontario Hydro and its successor, Ontario Power Generation (OPG). While he is currently chair of the board of directors for Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) and senior counsel in the energy and environment practice of Sussex Strategy Group, he considers himself semi-retired.
submissions apart is not only their technical brilliance, but also their resounding commitment to modernization, environmental stewardship and community welfare. This year’s projects embody a vision of inclusivity, equity and harmony, reflecting the very best of our profession’s values. A highlight of this year’s awards process was the opportunity for our panel of judges to convene in person, in Toronto,
for the first time in four years. This invaluable experience allowed for rigorous debates and discussions about the merits of each project—interactions that could not be replicated through a virtual meeting. The depth and richness of these deliberations added to our evaluation process, ensuring every facet of each project was thoroughly explored. The 2023 awards are a testament to the extraordinary tal-
ent and dedication that drive our industry forward. To the teams and firms that have shared their projects with us this year, I extend my deepest gratitude. The high calibre of submissions made the task of selecting honorees both challenging and immensely rewarding.
CHAIR’S COMMENTS It was with pleasure that I again assumed the role of chair for the Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards’ jury. This year, we embarked on a journey of engineering excellence that has left me truly inspired. Canadian consulting engineers have demonstrated their dedication to innovation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and shaping a future characterized by ingenuity and progress. What sets the 2023 10
CANADIAN CONSULTING ENGINEER
— Jennifer Drake, Ph.D., P.Eng., Jury Chair
September/October 2023
