How to Advance your Consulting Career: Advice from Senior Environmental Professionals

Expert: DAVID ELLIS
MANAGING DIRECTOR AT AZURA ASSOCIATES

David Ellis, a chemical engineering consultant with more than 25 years’ experience in the wastewater industry, is a prime example of someone who values the importance of self-investment in their consulting career. David’s passion for cleantech and wastewater, as tools for improving lives and protecting the environment – combined with a knack for personalized communication – led him to launch Azura Associates International Inc.

Expert: MEREDITH HAMSTEAD
MEDES, EP, PARTNER AT THINKBRIGHT ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATIONS

Meredith Hamstead is an independent consultant specializing in sustainable community development. Through her independent consulting firm, thinkBright Environmental Innovations, Meredith partners with a diverse range of professionals to deliver sustainability projects in water conservation; green building; climate change adaptation and mitigation; and sustainable land use planning. Her 15-year consulting career includes senior local government experience. She has served on public advisory and steering committees in water sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and community sustainability, most recently including the BC Water and Waste Association’s Water Sustainability Committee and the Columbia Basin Trust’s Advisory Committees on Climate Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation. With passion for a bright future, Meredith has dedicated her career to the pursuit of sustainability solutions that meet that needs of small, rapidly changing Canadian communities.

Expert: W. R. (BILL) MACMILLAN
P.ENG., M.SC., ENVIRONMENT/SR. GEOTECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGER AT WSP

Bill MacMillan is an Engineer, project Manager, and people leader with highly developed technical, communication, project management and leadership skills. He has a demonstrated and proven track record of quality project delivery, client satisfaction, business development and market share capture success. Bill is a skilled, performance-motivated trouble shooter, dedicated to a systematic, practical approach to development and implementation of effective solutions. As a people manager, he employs collaborative team approach to mentor and motivate staff and colleagues to promote professional and personal growth. Bill’s experience includes business functional/financial management, client and project change management, contract and specification development, and construction management. His technical expertise spans environmental, geotechnical, civil and water management engineering, as well as clean water and contaminant hydrogeology. He successfully applies his knowledge and skills across a wide array of settings, such as transportation, municipal, industrial and commercial infrastructure, resources management, materials testing and pavement design. Bill is a seasoned public and private sector leader focused on successfully driving technical, financial and organizational innovation and excellence.