Our Team

Alyssa Randall

CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT ENGINEER

ALYSSA RANDALL

EIT

Alyssa is originally from Northern Ontario, and has Mi’kmaw lineage from South-West Newfoundland. She is a registered Engineer-in-Training with a degree in environmental engineering from the University of Waterloo. Since moving west she has gained experience in both environmental and geotechnical fields.


Alyssa is excited to join the Gwaii Team and work on projects that align with her personal and professional values.

Jennifer Belanger

Indigenous Business Planner

Jennifer Belanger

Jennifer is a proud member of the Upper Nicola Band, part of the Okanagan Nation which is one distinct nation of the Interior Salish First Nations in BC. 

Excited to graduate from the University of Victoria in August 2023 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Business, Jennifer brings new perspectives and passion to our team.

She has a proven track record as a government relations and funding strategist, successfully developing business proposals and acquiring grants across industries, and is committed to incorporating traditional knowledge and values into her work, and building strong relationships with clients. 

 

In her free time, Jennifer enjoys baking sweet treats for her neighbors and the homeless individuals in her community, as well as exploring new green-spaces with her two dogs.

She is excited to be a part of the Gwaii team and looks forward to creating a positive impact in the communities we serve.

James Rees

civil project engineer

James Rees

p.eng.

James is a registered Professional Engineer and graduate of the University of British Columbia, with a degree in Civil Engineering. He previously completed a Civil Engineering Technology Diploma at Camosun College. James has been working with clients on Vancouver Island since 2008, providing civil engineering design, construction services and project management for municipal linear infrastructure projects, as well as residential and institutional building projects such as schools, recreation centers, and seniors care homes.James’ technical strengths include the design, analysis, and modeling of sanitary and water distribution systems.

His previous work experience includes Engineer of Record duties for several water districts on the island. In this role James produced master planning documents and project prioritization reports, performed feasibility studies for new developments, and reviewed/approved waterworks and as-built drawings of new infrastructure related to new development.

Nicholas Liberty

Senior civil design technician

nicholas liberty

AScT

Nick is a member of the Nipissing First Nation and Mattawa/North Bay Algonquin First Nation, and has Ojibwa lineage originating in The Robinson Huron Treaty Territory in Northern Ontario. 

He is a Civil Design specialist with over 10 years of industry experience throughout Ontario, BC, and New Zealand utilizing Civil 3D in land development, local government infrastructure, mining and environmental services. Nick has completed his Certified Engineering Technologist Designation (C.E.T) through the Civil Engineering Technician Program at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario and through the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians (OACETT). He currently holds an Applied Science Technologist (AScT) designation with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) and is working towards a Limited Licence with the Professional Engineers of Ontario

Julia Barron

project engineer & grant writer

julia barron

EIT

Julia is a registered Engineer-in-Training with a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Victoria. She is Gwaii Engineering’s lead grant writer, heads the company’s capacity building and mentorship programs, and acts as a project engineer on Indigenous projects. She is a non-Indigenous ally and grateful to call Victoria her home on the Traditional Territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples.

Katherine Rankin

Office administrator & project Assistant

Katherine Rankin

Katherine graduated from the University of Victoria with a B.A. in Applied Linguistics, and ventured into teaching ESL and Tourism until she began her administrative career in Environmental Engineering in 2008.⁠ ⁠ She has worked in both the private and public sector, including project and administrative assistant work on multiple Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan projects (FCSAP). In 2019, she was contracted to work as a Document Controller and Project Assistant to aid in the construction and commissioning of the CRD’s massive Wastewater Treatment Plant and infrastructure.⁠ ⁠ Born in B.C. and raised on Quadra Island, Katherine has called Victoria her home for the past 28 years. She is the president of her strata council, sings in a soul-gospel choir and is an avid walker and foodie! ⁠

Joshua Anderson

Civil and Environmental Engineer

Joshua Anderson

EIT

Joshua Anderson is a registered Engineer in Training with a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Victoria. Environmental Engineering was a large part of many classes at the University of Victoria. This has provided the opportunity to bring sustainable and environmental engineering concepts into his projects. His previous work experience includes hands on construction experience as a pipe layer, civil drafting and design, site investigation, environmental monitoring, soil sampling, and project management. Joshua first joined Gwaii as a coop student in 2020 and has since become a full-time employee expanding on his drafting design and land development experience.

Logan Silveira

civil engineering technologist

Logan Silveira

AScT

Logan is a Civil Engineering Technologist with a diploma from Camosun College and over three years of environmental monitoring and consulting experience from projects completed throughout the Rocky Mountain Front. Originally from inland Sao Paulo, Brazil, he developed an early interest in sustainability and environmental solutions, which ultimately led him to earn a BA in Environmental Policy & Management on an athletic scholarship in Helena, Montana. Logan first joined our team as a co-op student in 2021 and is now a full time technologist working in a variety of civil and environmental engineering projects.

Vanessa

Civil Project Engineer

Vanessa quinn

EIT
Vanessa is a registered Engineer in Training with a degree in Civil Engineering from Lakehead University. Prior to Lakehead she completed her Civil Engineering Technologist Diploma at Camosun College. Vanessa has been involved in the drafting, design, construction, overall coordination, and management of land development projects and has seen numerous projects from conception to completion. In addition to working in consulting, Vanessa has 3 years of experience working for the engineering division at the City of Victoria where she developed an understanding for the public sector and the ability to work through the regulatory process effectively.

MELINA SORENSEN

JUNIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

MELINA SORENSEN

AAG., MSC.
Melina is a Junior Environmental Scientist and an Articling Professional Agrologist (AAg.) Melina graduated with a Master of Science in Environmental Management from Royal Roads University in 2022, and with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria in 2019. She has an educational background in marine ecology, environmental impact assessment, ecotoxicology, and environmental outreach. Melina has professional experience as a Marine Naturalist & Educator, GIS Analyst, and Stewardship Research Assistant in Government and ENGO organizations. As a Junior Environmental Scientist, Melina is eager to use her interdisciplinary skills to offer innovative and ecologically-sensitive results for clients to make a positive difference for the environment on Vancouver Island and beyond.
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.