Environmental engineer from B.C. wins prestigious award
OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 29, 2026 /CNW/ — The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Canada (ACEC) is pleased to announce that the 2027 Allen D. Williams Scholarship Award was presented to an inspiring young industry leader, Jessica LeNoble, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., of Kerr Wood Leidal Associates, at the ACEC National Awards Gala this evening.
An outstanding environmental engineer with bold ideas and boundless energy, Jessica leads the delivery of multimillion-dollar projects in water management throughout Western Canada for KWL. With her degrees in engineering and political science and passion for conservation, Jessica has brought great value to projects by being uniquely able to bridge traditionally siloed areas–like affordability, sustainability, and long-term performance–and deliver practical, innovative solutions for clients and communities. Her contributions to the Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives helped establish science-based water quality objectives that integrate western science with Indigenous knowledge and values, creating a framework that supports both ecological restoration and the cultural needs of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. As Project Manager and Engineer of Record for Vancouver’s multi-year Healthy Waters Plan, Jessica led the development of an integrated mass balance model to evaluate strategies for reducing combined sewer overflows and improving water quality. “This work is directly influencing how one of Canada’s largest cities approaches water management, with long-term implications for environmental protection and community resilience,” notes Andrew Boyland, President of KWL.
Jessica’s leadership and contributions to consulting engineering extend far beyond project delivery. Having been inspired to become an engineer at 13 by the teachers who ran the Environmental Mind Grind in B.C., Jessica has consistently shaped her career and volunteer work to create opportunities for emerging professionals and under-represented voices. In addition to mentoring younger colleagues at KWL, Jessica spends countless hours organizing conferences and networking events through industry associations. As a member of both the BC Water and Waste Association (BCWWA) and the International Water Association (IWA), Jessica has worked to build platforms where early-career professionals can share ideas, develop leadership skills, and contribute to their profession. As Co-Chair of BCWWA’s Young Professionals Committee, she has helped grow participation, founded the Young Professional Symposium, and contributed to DEI initiatives that are shaping a more equitable industry.
“These contributions matter,” says Linda Parkinson, P. Eng., a past president of the BCWWA and Director of Planning, Policy, and Analysis for Metro Vancouver. “They help strengthen the profession, support knowledge sharing, and create pathways for the next generation of water professionals. Jessica’s impact is not limited to the work she delivers but extends to how she supports and influences the people and systems around her.”
Out of Jessica’s many achievements, one of the most joyful moments for her was handing out completion certificates at the International Water Association’s World Water Camp, a four-day event for young professionals that she co-led. She intends to use the Allen D. Williams Scholarship to grow as a leader and continue bringing people together to solve complex challenges in ways that are innovative, inclusive, and impactful. The ADW Scholarship selection committee has every faith in her success.
More about the Allen D. Williams Scholarship Award
Every year, ACEC awards a scholarship to recognize leadership within the consulting engineering industry and to commemorate Allen D. Williams, past ACEC Chair and founder of Williams Engineering Inc. The scholarship provides the recipient with funding to cover registration, airfare, and accommodations to attend the annual conference of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC). Please visit www.acec.ca to view the recipient’s award video and learn more.
About ACEC
ACEC is the national voice of consulting engineering companies, representing firms across the country that provide professional engineering services to both public and private sector clients. These services include the planning, design, and execution of all types of engineering projects, as well as providing independent advice and expertise in a wide range of engineering and engineering-related fields.
For more information about ACEC and the 2026 ACEC National Awards, please visit acec.ca.
Multimedia
Jessica LeNoble, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. – Allen D. Williams Scholarship Photo and Video (see ACEC website)
SOURCE Association of Consulting Engineering Companies
