Our Speakers
Deb Chachra
Professor of Engineering
Olin College of Engineering
Speaker Profile
Deb Chachra, PhD, is the author of How Infrastructure Works: Inside the Systems That Shape Our World (2023) and a Professor of Engineering at Olin College of Engineering near Boston, Massachusetts, where she was one of the earliest faculty members. She works primarily at the intersection of technology and culture, and she speaks, writes, consults, and facilitates globally around design, education (particularly engineering education), and equity and inclusion issues.
Jeff Busby
Chief Operating Officer
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Speaker Profile
Freda Leong
National Leader, Indigenous Communities Manager
Associated Engineering
Speaker Profile
Ian Pilkington
Chief Engineer
BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure
Speaker Profile
Lucy Tukua
Technical Director of Regenerative Outcomes, Kaihautū Whakarito
Mott MacDonald
Speaker Profile
Donald Trapp
Executive Project Director, Fraser River Tunnel Project
Transportation Investment Corp.
Speaker Profile
Tarek Sayed
Professor
University of British Columbia
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Sonali Hingorani
Manager, Transportation Planning and New Mobility
City of Richmond
Speaker Profile
Alireza Ahmadnia
Chief Bridge Engineer
BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Speaker Profile
Alireza Ahmadnia, P.Eng., is the Chief Bridge Engineer at the BC- MoTI. Providing leadership and policy direction, he oversees all aspects of bridge engineering, including planning, design, construction, inspection, evaluation, rehabilitation, and maintenance across the entire ministry. His role ensures a safe, efficient transportation system aligning with evolving needs. He drives ongoing infrastructure improvement and the advancement of engineering standards.
Holly Foxcroft
Lead Planner
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Speaker Profile
Yavuz Kaya
Seismic Engineer
BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Speaker Profile
Angela Jarvis
E-Mobility Manager
City of Coquitlam
Speaker Profile
Gerald Gongos
Campus Planner
Simon Fraser University
Speaker Profile
Amy Choh
Director Engineering Transportation
City of Burnaby
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David Currie
Construction Manager
City of Vancouver
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Matteo Agnoloni
Structural Engineer
Associated Engineering
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Jeff Doble
Principal
Perkins&Will
Speaker Profile
Brendon James
TDM Coordinator
District of North Vancouver
Speaker Profile
Brendon has worked in both regional and local government, facilitating campaigns that focus on electrification of light, medium and heavy-duty vehicle fleets and EV charging infrastructure in commercial and residential buildings. Currently Brendon works with the District of North Vancouver as a Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, facilitating on programs that address congestion, enhancing road safety and supporting the shift to active transportation and shared modes.
Adrian Watson
Principal, Design Director
Perkins and Will
Speaker Profile
Although Adrian has experience across multiple building types, urban-scale infrastructure projects are of particular importance to him, with the work of our studio continuing his dedication to rail and aviation projects that go ‘beyond transportation’.
Edward Porter
Principal
MODUS
Speaker Profile
Trained as a landscape architect and practicing as an urban designer, Edward Porter is a registered professional planner with a keen interest in community dialogue at the heart of the masterplanning process. A native Tennessean, Edward’s passion for placemaking stems from a culture of storytelling: he sees design as conversation to understand, facilitate and implement change. He is grateful to the Sts’ailes community for welcoming him to assist in the development of a community masterplan.
JR Hammond
Executive Director
Canadian Advanced Air Mobility
Speaker Profile
CAAM is a Federal Not For Profit organization that acts as the catalyst for the new Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry in Canada. Advanced Air Mobility is defined as unlocking Zero-Emission (Electric & Hydrogen) Aircraft to operate in Canada both as flying vehicles and larger commercial airplanes.
Joost Meyboom
Technical Director
Charter Project Delivery
Speaker Profile
Joost Meyboom is a Technical Director with an extensive background in the development and delivery of complex bridge, highway, transit, marine, rail and heavy industry projects with specific attention to innovative solutions that meet site and project requirements. Joost has worked with contractors, financers, government agencies and architects to develop and implement award winning projects.
Alex Sandoval
Senior Manager
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Speaker Profile
Steve Brown
Manager
City of Vancouver