Our Team

Brendan Aylard is a member of the Esquimalt Nation, and has previously worked as a Civil Technologist Co-op student at Gwaii Engineering, conducting civil engineering design and site survey for First Nations projects in hitacu Ucluelet First Nation: Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government.

He has recently graduated from Camosun College, and is returning to Gwaii to assist with this project. Brenden is highly motivated as he pursues his full Civil Engineering degree qualifications and continues his work in subsequent co-op terms with Gwaii Engineering. Brenden is passionate about this project and is ecstatic to be a part of the cultural cornerstone this project will be for the region. He will be supported by our most qualified professionals.

Greg Gillespie is an accredited Project Management Professional and land use consultant with over 16 years of extensive leadership and real estate experience. He delivers end-to-end land management results with success across a broad spectrum of portfolios, including residential housing, telecommunication networks, waste-to-energy facilities and large multifamily/mixed-use developments.

Mahlet is an Engineer-In-Training and recently graduated from UBCO with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering.
⁠Originally from Ethiopia, Mahlet has lived in Canada now for 10 years and has finally settled here in Victoria after living in Calgary and Kelowna for school. She has a strong background in project management, technical documentation, infrastructure assessment, and designing software skills, making her a great addition to our team.

Emma joined the Gwaii team in 2021 as a social media manager, and has since expanded her role into community outreach, digital marketing, and supporting the grant writing team. Originally from a performing arts background, she brings a passion for storytelling & communication to her work, and enjoys getting to share the incredible work Gwaii is doing for First Nations in BC.

Sally made her way to Vancouver Island to attend university, quickly falling in love with the island’s breathtaking landscapes and welcoming community. She carried on to pursue a master’s degree while gaining experience in project management in the healthcare sector. Now, as part of the Gwaii Engineering team since February 2024, Sally supports the smooth running of billing and operations, and assists with grant writing, utilizing her organizational skills and attention to detail. Beyond the office, you’ll often find her exploring new destinations, enjoying quality time with friends, and embracing the island’s outdoor adventures.

Brandon Ducharme, MBA, PMP, P.Eng., P.E., CPEng. is an internationally and multi-qualified professional engineer and⁠ project management professional. He brings extensive client-side and local government experience with expertise in integrated water services, asset management and infrastructure investment capabilities to our team.

⁠Brandon is of Métis heritage and has recently returned to Canada from Aotearoa New Zealand where he was responsible for the long-range planning of integrated water services for a local government. ⁠

Passionate about the vital importance and meaning of water to Indigenous⁠ peoples, Brandon brings a values-based approach to infrastructure planning, engineering, and development. The authority, life, and relationship between water and the people of the land are fundamental pillars to maintaining the health of water bodies, freshwater ecosystems, and communities that rely on them. These values are central to his practice in the long-range planning and development of community infrastructure.⁠