Thursday, September 10, 2026
The 40 Under 40 Industrial Leaders have been named.
The winners represent the incredible talent driving Canada’s economy forward, spanning construction, engineering, manufacturing, sustainability, finance, technology, development, and more.
The 40 Under 40 Industrial Leader awards program recognizes up-and-coming leaders under 40 years of age, andd is designed to elevate and highlight exceptional individuals who are contributing to the Canadian economy. It is powered by SiteMedia, presented by GeoVerra, and backed by Site’s industrial publications: Water Canada, ReNew Canada, SiteNews, Storeys, Environment Journal, Waste & Recycling and Hazmat.
“We were blown away by this year’s nominees and narrowing them down to just 40 was a monumental task for our judges,” said Russell Hixson, Editor, SiteNews. “We would like to congratulate our winners as well as all of our finalists. The value you this group of individuals brings to Canada’s economy as well as our daily lives is humbling.”
The winners were selected by a panel of judges, which included Kalpna Solanki, Derek Bunting, Mike Maierle and Andrew Hansen.
But the program doesn’t stop there. 40 Under 40 honourees, alumni, and the leaders building the future of industry right now will gather for one night at BREWHALL in Vancouver on October 29th.
In addition to meeting many of this year’s honourees in person, attendees will find out the winners of three new individual awards:
Valedictorian: This person is the top of the class, earning the highest total score of all the submissions. They are the cream of the crop and were most impressive to all our judges.
People’s choice: Networking is everything and nobody does it better than this individual. In addition to judge’s votes, this year we included endorsements from peers. The winner who received the most endorsements will take home this title.
Alumni of the year: Your career doesn’t stop after winning. We went deep into the archives and caught up with someone who has been doing epic things since their previous win that are deserving of further recognition.
On the list are a group of outstanding professionals shaping the future of Canada’s water and environmental infrastructure, including:
Aline Bennett, National Market Director – Climate Adaptation Advisory, WSP Canada Aline Bennett leads WSP Canada’s national Climate Risk & Resilience practice, managing a multidisciplinary team of roughly 25 scientists, engineers, and planners dedicated to delivering climate adaptation and resilience services across the country. With over 14 years of professional experience, she has been instrumental in establishing climate resilience as a core strategic advisory service within Canada’s engineering sector, guiding municipalities, Indigenous communities, government agencies, and private investors through complex risk assessments and long-term adaptation planning.
Nick Copeland, Digital Water Lead – Canada, Arup Canada Inc. Nick Copeland leads Arup’s Digital Water practice in Canada, bringing a systems-level approach to climate-resilient water infrastructure that bridges traditional engineering with digital technology. Holding a Master of Philosophy in Engineering for Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge, Nick is a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario and Nova Scotia, as well as a Chartered Engineer in the UK. Throughout his career across North America and Europe, he has specialized in hydraulic modeling, flood resilience, stormwater management, and green infrastructure, establishing a strong track record of transitioning isolated utility projects into data-driven, integrated systems.
Michael McKie, Senior Project Manager/Associate Partner, CIMA+ Dr. McKie’s remarkable career is anchored by an exceptional academic foundation, holding a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Waterloo, alongside a Master of Applied Science and a Ph.D. in Civil and Mineral Engineering from the University of Toronto. Licensed as a Professional Engineer in both Ontario and Alberta, Michael seamlessly integrates rigorous scientific research with practical consulting expertise to deliver robust water infrastructure projects across the country.
