Our Team

Lorry Mackay

PROJECT MANAGER

LORRY MACKAY

EIT, RPF

As a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and Engineer-in-Training (EIT), Lorry is passionate about leading projects that balance technical excellence with environmental responsibility. With a background that bridges forestry and engineering, she brings a holistic approach to planning, coordination, and client collaboration, ensuring every project contributes lasting value to both the communities and the environments they depend on. 

Beyond work, she loves spending her time hiking, camping, and biking throughout Vancouver Island.

Lorry Mackay Read More »

Garret Warren

CIVIL ENGINEER-IN-TRAINING

GARRET WARREN

EIT

Garret is originally from Calgary, Alberta and studied civil engineering at the University of Alberta. He first joined the Gwaii team as a co-op student in 2024, and later signed on as a Civil Engineer-in-Training in the summer of 2025. In this permanent position, Garret will primarily deal with Storm/Water/Sewer models and calculations.
At the U of A, Garret was president of the powerlifting association. Now based in Victoria, Garret is looking forward to being close to the ocean and mountains. 

Garret Warren Read More »

Greg Gillespie

Greg Gillespie Headshot
Senior Development Manager

Greg Gillespie

BSc, PMP

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.

Greg Gillespie Read More »

Mahlet Abraha

Headshot of Mahlet Abraha
JUNIOR ENGINEER-IN-TRAINING

MAHLET ABRAHA

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.

Mahlet Abraha Read More »

Emma Rendell

DIGITAL MARKETING & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

EMMA RENDELL

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.

Emma Rendell Read More »

Sally Hodgson

PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

SALLY HODGSON

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.

Sally Hodgson Read More »

Brandon Ducharme

Senior Project manager

BRANDON DUCHARME

MBA, P.Eng, PE, CPEng, PMP

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.⁠ 

Brandon Ducharme Read More »

Gladia Joy

Gladia Joy
Office Administrator & HR Specialist

Gladia Joy

Gladia holds a BSc & MBA in Human Resource Management, and is a member of CPHR BC & Yukon.⁠ Alongisde her role as an Office Administrator & HR Specialist, Gladia also assists with accounting & project management.

Gladia worked in Human Resources and Administration for 6 years in India before making the move here to Canada. ⁠

Gladia Joy Read More »

Jared Smylie

CIVIL PROJECT ENGINEER

JARED SMYLIE

EIT

Jared is a registered Engineer-In-Training with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Victoria. As a member the Civil Engineering team, he prepares design drawings for a variety of projects. ⁠ ⁠ Originally from Toronto, Jared enjoys outdoor activities such as canoeing, soccer, and hiking.⁠ ⁠ 

Jared Smylie Read More »

Clea Achtem

COMPTROLLER

CLEA ACHTEm

CGA CPA
Clea graduated from the University of British Columbia and went on to earn her Chartered Professional Accounting designation (CGA CPA) in 2003. Since joining Gwaii Engineering at its inception, Clea has enjoyed managing the day-to-day financial accounting services for both Gwaii and its sister company, Islander Engineering. Her responsibilities include accounts payable and receivable, tracking assets and expenditures, managing payroll and benefits, and GST/payroll compliance. In her free time, she likes spending time with friends and family, reading and working in her veggie garden.

Clea Achtem Read More »

Scroll to Top

subscribe to our quarterly newsletter

For upcoming grants & funding opportunities for First Nations communities in BC, useful resources, company updates and more.