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: ReNew Canada, SiteNews, Storeys, Water Canada, 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 construction and public infrastructure sectors, including:
Aleksi Makila, VP & Division Manager, Civil, Chandos Construction
Since joining the firm in 2014, Aleksi has climbed the ranks to become a powerhouse at one of the nation’s most sophisticated builders, playing a transformative role in expanding the company’s capabilities and market presence. Recognizing a critical gap in the company’s portfolio, he was instrumental in launching Chandos’s civil and municipal infrastructure services in 2016. Under his strategic guidance, this initiative rapidly gained traction, leading to the formal creation of the Civil Division in 2019.
Jennifer Johnston, Manager, Infrastructure Delivery, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
In her current capacity, Jennifer oversees the planning, design, and construction of vital port infrastructure, expertly navigating the intricate intersections of heavy civil engineering, environmental stewardship, and rigorous regulatory compliance. The projects under her purview are characterized by their immense scale and complexity, often involving intricate marine logistics, extensive stakeholder coordination, and the absolute necessity of maintaining uninterrupted port operations during construction. Jennifer’s exceptional ability to manage these competing priorities, while ensuring that projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget, has earned her the deep respect of her colleagues, contractors, and government partners.
Claire Rose, Delivery Manager – Elevated Guideway and Stations, Bechtel
Having served as the Senior Construction Manager for High Speed 2 and Deputy Civils Programme Director on the massive Hinkley Point C nuclear project in the United Kingdom, Claire Rose brings this unparalleled level of strategic vision and technical mastery to the Canadian construction landscape. Today, as the Delivery Manager for Elevated Guideway and Stations at Bechtel, Claire is applying her extraordinary global mega-project experience to one of Canada’s most transformational infrastructure initiatives. She is leading the client-side delivery and construction management for five above-ground stations and three kilometers of elevated guideway on the monumental Metrolinx Ontario Line in Toronto.
Matt Ratcliffe, Senior Director, Alternative Delivery and Pursuits, EllisDon Corporation
As the Senior Director of Alternative Delivery and Pursuits at EllisDon Corporation, Matt is a central contributor to the firm’s rapidly expanding civil infrastructure division. As one of the earliest hires in EllisDon’s Civil group, he has played a key role in shaping the company’s strategic direction and operational capabilities across Eastern Canada. His impressive career spans the successful delivery of some of the nation’s most complex transit and infrastructure mega-projects, including the critical Union Station 2nd Platform and Concourse Improvements and the monumental Eglinton Crosstown LRT.
Mimi Wilde, Global Director, Energy Client Operations, Hatch
With over 15 years of energy and nuclear sector experience, Mimi has risen rapidly through the ranks at Hatch—moving from project manager to account and regional manager, and ultimately global director within seven years. Throughout her career, she has managed complex, high-stakes assignments, including directing teams of over 20 engineers, architects, designers, and subcontractors on confidential nuclear projects and serving as Area Manager for the NexGen uranium processing facility. Her emphasis on technical excellence and collaborative delivery earned her a Hatch Leadership Award as well as a Client Relationship Award for her work with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.
James Ye, Group Lead, Industrial & Infrastructure, Houle Electric Ltd.
Promoted to Senior Project Manager at age 30, he became one of the youngest individuals to reach the role in Houle’s 1,500-plus-person organization. By age 31, he was invited to become a shareholder. As a Group Lead in the Industrial & Infrastructure Division, James directs a $100M+ portfolio spanning the transportation, utilities, energy, and ports and terminals sectors, playing a pivotal role in driving the division’s financial strength and operational performance.
