Speakers
Dan Gardner - Keynote Speaker
Author, speaker, consultant, and freelancer
Cole Webber - Keynote Speaker
Inventor
Betterfit
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-webber-510a641b1/
https://colewebber.com/speaking/
Integrating with Uncertainty
What happens when the materials we need to build are subject to the whims of foreign policy? When and world trade markets evolve daily? Canada faces mounting pressure to rethink both its dependency on foreign building components, and the way we design and build –– from the ground up. Cole's talk explores emerging strategies for decoupling supply chains, spurring domestic construction innovation, and capitalizing on emerging technology to building a more self-reliant and responsive construction economy. Cole explores how we can build a construction ecosystem capable of resiliency without compromising on scale or affordability.
Ritu Ahuja
Director of Lean Integration
Kinetic Construction Ltd.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritu-ahuja/
Lighting the Way: Comparing Firehall Projects to Reveal the Power of IPD
This presentation will present the comparison between three firehall projects completed using three different project delivery methods. The conclusion and key takeaways will highlight the benefits of using Integrated Project Delivery over the traditional delivery methods. This presentation will use project metric to compare the three projects, discuss the real challenges faced and the real tangible results obtained. This presentation will help to elevate the trust in IPD method by showcasing the tangible benefits of adopting IPD over other project delivery methods.
Bruce Vasarhely
Vancouver Branch Manager
Kinetic Construction Ltd.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-vasarhely-48882b51/
Lighting the Way: Comparing Firehall Projects to Reveal the Power of IPD
This presentation will present the comparison between three firehall projects completed using three different project delivery methods. The conclusion and key takeaways will highlight the benefits of using Integrated Project Delivery over the traditional delivery methods. This presentation will use project metric to compare the three projects, discuss the real challenges faced and the real tangible results obtained. This presentation will help to elevate the trust in IPD method by showcasing the tangible benefits of adopting IPD over other project delivery methods.
Chris Kailing
Senior Architect, Associate, OAA, NSAA, SAA, MRAIC, AIA, NCARB
Group2 Architecture Interior Design
Chris boasts over 23 years of Architectural experience in both Canada and the United States. he has worked on a diverse range of project types at various scales. Since 2015 he has been a team member on 6 IPD projects and provided advisory support on a 7th. His early experience as a PIT captain started in the Prairies. In the last 5 years he has transitioned to a leadership role as PMT member for IPD projects in Ontario and Atlantic Canada. His experience has given him a deep understanding of the various IPD Contracts utilized in North America and the important role PMT plays in the IPD framework. Chris lives in Ottawa with his wife and son
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-kailing-66b2422/
Inside the PMT: What every Owner, Contractor and Consultant should know.
IPD projects have a unique governance structure that includes SMT (Senior Management Team), PMT (Project Management Team) and PITs (Project implementation Teams).
The PMT has the operational responsibility for delivering the project. We will focus on this important project role and provide perspective from the Owner, Consultant, Contractor and Trades.
Experienced PMT members will present on the following key topics:
• Leadership skills
• Collaborative decision making
• Project administration
• Innovative problem solving
Whether you're new to PMT or looking to improve your team’s effectiveness, this session, presented by Real PMT Members, will go through Real Challenges faced on IPD Projects and the actionable
Ryan Jones
Senior Capital Project Manager, PMP
City of Barrie
Ryan is a passionate building partner with over 15 years' experience in the construction and municipal sectors. Ryan is adept at guiding large teams of Project Managers and Technical Specialists to deliver complex infrastructure initiatives. At the City of Barrie, Ryan leads several skilled teams managing large-scale facility development and renewal project, balancing technical acumen with strategic thinking, collaboration and strong leadership to deliver a wide variety of both traditional and integrated projects delivery models. Ryan has been a team member on 3 IPD Projects in a variety of roles including PMT Owner’s Lead, PIT participant and has experience in all facets of an IPD project. His most recent experience as the Owner’s PMT representative from start to finish, allowed him to develop the project from an initial concept, through Validation, facilitate a Big Room of 30+ team members and collaborate with 4 other individuals at the PMT level to develop, guide, and govern a multi-phase $36M project to successful completion.
Ryan currently resides about an hour north of the GTA with his wife, daughter, son and dog – Blue.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-jones-b6019345/
Inside the PMT: What every Owner, Contractor and Consultant should know.
IPD projects have a unique governance structure that includes SMT (Senior Management Team), PMT (Project Management Team) and PITs (Project implementation Teams).
The PMT has the operational responsibility for delivering the project. We will focus on this important project role and provide perspective from the Owner, Consultant, Contractor and Trades.
Experienced PMT members will present on the following key topics:
• Leadership skills
• Collaborative decision making
• Project administration
• Innovative problem solving
Whether you're new to PMT or looking to improve your team’s effectiveness, this session, presented by Real PMT Members, will go through Real Challenges faced on IPD Projects and the actionable
Maria Williams
Senior Bid Manager
Pomerleau
Maria has over 22 years of experience in commercial construction and is currently part of the Pomerleau Alternative Project Centre of Expertise (APEX) team, which oversees all collaborative contract models.
Maria brings her expertise on previous contract models, and experience on multiple IPD PMTs, to every project to assist the integrated team in utilizing and implementing Lean concepts throughout the design and construction processes. Her experience on IPD PMTs, PITs and as a GC in various roles including operations, procurement, estimating, and as a superintendent provide her with a perspective that allows her to build strong relationships and provide innovative solutions.
Maria holds two Bachelor of Science Degrees in both Civil and Architectural Engineering. Maria has also completed the IPDA certificate course.
She currently lives in the Greater Toronto Area with her husband and four children.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-williams-9141421/
Inside the PMT: What every Owner, Contractor and Consultant should know.
IPD projects have a unique governance structure that includes SMT (Senior Management Team), PMT (Project Management Team) and PITs (Project implementation Teams).
The PMT has the operational responsibility for delivering the project. We will focus on this important project role and provide perspective from the Owner, Consultant, Contractor and Trades.
Experienced PMT members will present on the following key topics:
• Leadership skills
• Collaborative decision making
• Project administration
• Innovative problem solving
Whether you're new to PMT or looking to improve your team’s effectiveness, this session, presented by Real PMT Members, will go through Real Challenges faced on IPD Projects and the actionable
Thomas McBey
Senior Project Manager, P.Eng
Kelson Mechanical Inc
Known for his strategic oversight and collaborative leadership, Thomas has successfully delivered complex projects through a wide variety of project delivery models across healthcare, institutional, commercial and industrial sectors in over 13 years with Kelson. Through his experience as a PMT representative, PIT Captain, and Trade Partner on multiple IPD projects, Thomas specializes in resolving multidisciplinary design discrepancies, optimizing workforce and resource planning, and driving lean construction practices. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, Thomas continues to lead projects that shape communities and elevate industry standards. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University and is certified in a wide range of technical and leadership disciplines, including construction scheduling, HVAC systems design, and transformational leadership. Thomas lives just outside of the GTA with his wife and three sons
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasmcbey/
Inside the PMT: What every Owner, Contractor and Consultant should know.
IPD projects have a unique governance structure that includes SMT (Senior Management Team), PMT (Project Management Team) and PITs (Project implementation Teams).
The PMT has the operational responsibility for delivering the project. We will focus on this important project role and provide perspective from the Owner, Consultant, Contractor and Trades.
Experienced PMT members will present on the following key topics:
• Leadership skills
• Collaborative decision making
• Project administration
• Innovative problem solving
Whether you're new to PMT or looking to improve your team’s effectiveness, this session, presented by Real PMT Members, will go through Real Challenges faced on IPD Projects and the actionable
Bill Lett
Managing Principal - B.Arch, OAA, FRAIC, LEED AP
Unity Design Studio
With over 25 years of experience leading complex projects, Bill Lett is a registered architect in Ontario and was inducted into the College of Fellows of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 2018. He holds memberships in multiple organizations, from local to national levels, and has served on numerous boards and committees related to design and construction across North America. Bill has extensive hands-on experience working with diverse stakeholders, administrators, planning processes, municipal/regional councils, and government agencies. He has led the design of major municipal, cultural, healthcare, and institutional projects across Ontario. He is passionate about integrating buildings into the fabric of a community and is committed to changing how projects are delivered by adopting more collaborative models throughout the design and construction process.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-lett-54282316
Disrupting the Playbook: How LOFT and CMHC Are Rewriting the Rules of Supportive Housing
What happens when a non-profit housing provider throws out the traditional playbook? Disrupting the Playbook explores how LOFT Community Services, in partnership with CMHC, applied Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) to supportive housing — a sector where innovation is often stifled by risk and resource constraints.
Using the Bradford House project as a pilot, the team adopted a collaborative, trust-based approach more common in large institutional builds. The result: a deeply affordable housing project delivered with greater cost certainty, reduced risk, and a strong foundation of shared purpose.
This session offers a candid look at what it took to make it work, from the enabling role of CMHC innovation funding, to the cultural and contractual shifts required for IPD, to the practical impacts of Lean design and early engagement. Grounded in real experience, it provides actionable insight for housing providers, funders, and design teams ready to challenge the status quo and deliver better outcomes for vulnerable communities.
Michael Gallant
Design Principal - M.Arch, BA Hons, OAA, MRAIC, LEED AP, IPDA
Unity Design Studio
Michael Gallant, a registered architect in Ontario, is the design lead at Unity Design Studio and brings almost 20 years of experience guiding projects that prioritize design excellence and community impact. He has led award-winning civic, cultural, and institutional work across the province, while also contributing to the broader design conversation through leadership roles such as Chair of the Trent Society of Architects. Known for his strong facilitation skills, Michael fosters a collaborative design process that unites diverse perspectives around a shared vision, helping teams and clients make confident, high-quality design decisions. His ability to guide dialogue and drive alignment has been central to delivering exceptional outcomes and embedding design excellence at every stage. He also plays a key role in supporting Unity’s strategic direction by mentoring staff and ensuring that each project reflects the studio’s values of quality, context, and purpose.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallant-b38555199/
Disrupting the Playbook: How LOFT and CMHC Are Rewriting the Rules of Supportive Housing
What happens when a non-profit housing provider throws out the traditional playbook? Disrupting the Playbook explores how LOFT Community Services, in partnership with CMHC, applied Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) to supportive housing — a sector where innovation is often stifled by risk and resource constraints.
Using the Bradford House project as a pilot, the team adopted a collaborative, trust-based approach more common in large institutional builds. The result: a deeply affordable housing project delivered with greater cost certainty, reduced risk, and a strong foundation of shared purpose.
This session offers a candid look at what it took to make it work, from the enabling role of CMHC innovation funding, to the cultural and contractual shifts required for IPD, to the practical impacts of Lean design and early engagement. Grounded in real experience, it provides actionable insight for housing providers, funders, and design teams ready to challenge the status quo and deliver better outcomes for vulnerable communities.
Andrew Dietrich, Adv.Dip. Arch Tech
Senior Project Lead
Unity Design Studio
Andrew Dietrich has led the design and delivery of complex institutional, commercial, industrial, and residential projects across Canada. A passionate advocate for Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), he has emerged as a leader in the field—mentoring teams, teaching best practices, and actively promoting more collaborative models of project execution. Known for his facilitation expertise, Andrew brings a steady hand to the Big Room, where he excels at fostering open dialogue, building trust, and guiding teams toward aligned, confident decisions. As Senior Project Lead for the Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex—delivered under an IPD AIA contract—he combines deep technical knowledge with strong facilitation skills to lead multidisciplinary teams toward efficient, coordinated, and high-performing outcomes.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-dietrich-4992a24a/
Disrupting the Playbook: How LOFT and CMHC Are Rewriting the Rules of Supportive Housing
What happens when a non-profit housing provider throws out the traditional playbook? Disrupting the Playbook explores how LOFT Community Services, in partnership with CMHC, applied Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) to supportive housing — a sector where innovation is often stifled by risk and resource constraints.
Using the Bradford House project as a pilot, the team adopted a collaborative, trust-based approach more common in large institutional builds. The result: a deeply affordable housing project delivered with greater cost certainty, reduced risk, and a strong foundation of shared purpose.
This session offers a candid look at what it took to make it work, from the enabling role of CMHC innovation funding, to the cultural and contractual shifts required for IPD, to the practical impacts of Lean design and early engagement. Grounded in real experience, it provides actionable insight for housing providers, funders, and design teams ready to challenge the status quo and deliver better outcomes for vulnerable communities.
Anneliese Fris
Architect AAA AIBC OAA NSAA MRAIC - Principal
Group2 Architecture Interior Design Ltd.
With over a decade at Group2 Architecture Interior Design Ltd. Anneliese has led complex projects, utilizing skills in collaborative project management and design to create award-winning structures like the Capilano Library and South Haven Centre for Remembrance. Anneliese provides leadership and training in collaborative project delivery, particularly Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) across Canada. Her commitment to advancing collaboration, risk assessment, and financial tracking has been pivotal in the successful completion of multiple IPD projects. She is passionate about fostering design excellence and sustainability in urban and civic design spaces.
https://ca.linkedin.com/in/anneliese-fris-b3977914
Two Buildings for the Price of One: Creating Added Value for Owners through IPD
How do you deliver more than expected—without exceeding the budget? The University of Fraser Valley’s Student Housing project demonstrates how a deeply integrated IPD team can unlock transformative value for owners. This presentation shares how our team leveraged trust, transparency, and collaborative validation to deliver not just one, but two buildings within the original budget.
We’ll walk through:
The validation-stage strategies that drove efficiency and alignment across disciplines.
Collaborative site planning and massing exploration in the big room.
How a City of Abbotsford requirement for indoor bicycle storage became an opportunity for added value.
Preliminary benchmarking, accelerated construction start and intentional procurement phases that supported the eventual inclusion of additional scope.
How the Active Transportation project was implemented in parallel with the Student Housing build, due to exceptional trust and agility of the IPD team.
The intentional application of lean tools and approaches (LPS/Scrum, colocation) that began in Validation and were elevated during detail design and construction to create an extraordinary culture of trust and commitment.
This session offers a candid look at what worked, what challenged us, and what’s next—through the lens of a team that turned constraints into opportunity and delivered exceptional results.
Brett Hotson
Architect AIBC, LEED® AP | Associate
DIALOG
With over 18 years of experience working on a variety of project types and scales, Brett has played an instrumental role in their successful design and management through the approvals processes, construction document preparation, and tender and construction administration in several jurisdictions. Recent project work includes higher education academic and student housing buildings, as well as the construction of a new mixed-use library branch with non-market housing, along with the adaptive re-use of an old post office building into an arts-focused community centre – with each of these projects targeting LEED Gold certification. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills have aided in building trust and strong relationships with clients in the development industry, local authorities, and consultant teams.
Brett Hotson has extensive experience with Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), having led the collaborative Validation Phase, coordinated consultants, and contributed to key technical and planning documents as the Project Architect for the UFV Student Housing IPD project. Brett oversaw the design and execution of this six-storey, mass timber/wood frame hybrid residence that added 398 beds and included culturally inclusive spaces on the Abbotsford campus.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-hotson-a6423a99/
Two Buildings for the Price of One: Creating Added Value for Owners through IPD
How do you deliver more than expected—without exceeding the budget? The University of Fraser Valley’s Student Housing project demonstrates how a deeply integrated IPD team can unlock transformative value for owners. This presentation shares how our team leveraged trust, transparency, and collaborative validation to deliver not just one, but two buildings within the original budget.
We’ll walk through:
The validation-stage strategies that drove efficiency and alignment across disciplines.
Collaborative site planning and massing exploration in the big room.
How a City of Abbotsford requirement for indoor bicycle storage became an opportunity for added value.
Preliminary benchmarking, accelerated construction start and intentional procurement phases that supported the eventual inclusion of additional scope.
How the Active Transportation project was implemented in parallel with the Student Housing build, due to exceptional trust and agility of the IPD team.
The intentional application of lean tools and approaches (LPS/Scrum, colocation) that began in Validation and were elevated during detail design and construction to create an extraordinary culture of trust and commitment.
This session offers a candid look at what worked, what challenged us, and what’s next—through the lens of a team that turned constraints into opportunity and delivered exceptional results.
Meeta Lele
Architect AIBC, BArch, MArch, CAB (California) | Associate
DIALOG
Meeta, with over 22 years of experience in designing complex projects, is a design-oriented architect with a solid background in leading institutional and commercial projects from concept to commissioning. She has designed diverse project types across North America and has led projects across a broad range of sectors including corporate and workspaces, science & technology, educational, industrial, retail, transit, and mixed-use developments. Meeta brings a progressive attitude to her role as an architect, whether in the area of energy efficiency or the use of technology in building design.
Meeta enjoys working closely with owners and stakeholders to navigate their projects through not only design and construction but also through the political and regulatory processes related to development such as public outreach, stakeholder engagement, planning approvals, and building permits. Her process-driven approach has won her praise on budget- and schedule-driven projects from clients and contractors alike.
Meeta Lele has been actively involved in Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) processes, contributing to multiple phases of the UFV Student Housing project including agenda planning, validation reporting, and Big Room coordination, where she served as an interim PIT lead and BIMx coordinator. As a core team member on the UFV Student Housing project, Meeta played a key role in design coordination and validation planning, modifying critical documents, and participating in stakeholder engagement and technical planning sessions.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meeta-lele/details/experience/
Two Buildings for the Price of One: Creating Added Value for Owners through IPD
How do you deliver more than expected—without exceeding the budget? The University of Fraser Valley’s Student Housing project demonstrates how a deeply integrated IPD team can unlock transformative value for owners. This presentation shares how our team leveraged trust, transparency, and collaborative validation to deliver not just one, but two buildings within the original budget.
We’ll walk through:
The validation-stage strategies that drove efficiency and alignment across disciplines.
Collaborative site planning and massing exploration in the big room.
How a City of Abbotsford requirement for indoor bicycle storage became an opportunity for added value.
Preliminary benchmarking, accelerated construction start and intentional procurement phases that supported the eventual inclusion of additional scope.
How the Active Transportation project was implemented in parallel with the Student Housing build, due to exceptional trust and agility of the IPD team.
The intentional application of lean tools and approaches (LPS/Scrum, colocation) that began in Validation and were elevated during detail design and construction to create an extraordinary culture of trust and commitment.
This session offers a candid look at what worked, what challenged us, and what’s next—through the lens of a team that turned constraints into opportunity and delivered exceptional results.
Geoff Capelle
Director, Project Development – Collaborative Delivery
Bird Construction
https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffcapelle/
How Big IPDs Get Done
As Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) continues to evolve in Canada, some of the country’s largest and most complex projects are now being delivered through this model - pushing the boundaries of what teams, structures, and principles can look like. This presentation explores how two of the country's largest IPD projects - one located in Western Canada and the other in the East - have adapted to optimize outcomes.
We will examine why the traditional IPD toolkit requires a tailored approach to sustain momentum at scale, maintain alignment, and manage risk. We'll also explore how consensus-based decision-making becomes increasingly complex as team size grows, and why cultural management becomes even more critical when projects span up to a decade and cross organizational lines.
This session is ideal for IPD leaders, owners, facilitators, and delivery partners involved in major infrastructure and institutional builds who are looking to scale excellence across both size and time.
Real Teams
As IPD expands into larger, more complex builds, the structure and makeup of project teams must evolve. This session examines two of Canada’s largest active IPD projects - one in the East and one in the West - and how these real, cross-functional teams have adapted to size, complexity, and multi-partner collaboration. You’ll hear how trust, alignment, and clarity are built and maintained even when teams span years and organizations.
Real Challenges
Scaling IPD means stretching its core principles—consensus, collaboration, transparency—across massive scopes, competing stakeholder agendas, and long timelines. This session highlights real tensions in governance, decision-making, and cultural alignment, and how teams have responded with practical adaptations. Topics include decision making, engagement, and how cultural drift is actively prevented.
Real Results
By looking at how these large projects are navigating IPD at scale, attendees will gain insight into the strategic and behavioral adaptations that drive successful delivery. We’ll highlight how teams preserve alignment, manage risk, and stay connected to purpose—yielding tangible results in trust, client satisfaction, and team cohesion over multi-year builds.
Why this stands out: This session squarely addresses a growing project complexity in IPD. It answers the critical question “What happens when traditional IPD tools aren’t enough?” - offering attendees a roadmap of proven solutions used by real teams tackling real challenges to achieve real results.
Jennifer Morgan
Project Communications and Collaborative Delivery Specialist
Bird Construction
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-morgan-110a44107/
How Big IPDs Get Done
As Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) continues to evolve in Canada, some of the country’s largest and most complex projects are now being delivered through this model - pushing the boundaries of what teams, structures, and principles can look like. This presentation explores how two of the country's largest IPD projects - one located in Western Canada and the other in the East - have adapted to optimize outcomes.
We will examine why the traditional IPD toolkit requires a tailored approach to sustain momentum at scale, maintain alignment, and manage risk. We'll also explore how consensus-based decision-making becomes increasingly complex as team size grows, and why cultural management becomes even more critical when projects span up to a decade and cross organizational lines.
This session is ideal for IPD leaders, owners, facilitators, and delivery partners involved in major infrastructure and institutional builds who are looking to scale excellence across both size and time.
Real Teams
As IPD expands into larger, more complex builds, the structure and makeup of project teams must evolve. This session examines two of Canada’s largest active IPD projects - one in the East and one in the West - and how these real, cross-functional teams have adapted to size, complexity, and multi-partner collaboration. You’ll hear how trust, alignment, and clarity are built and maintained even when teams span years and organizations.
Real Challenges
Scaling IPD means stretching its core principles—consensus, collaboration, transparency—across massive scopes, competing stakeholder agendas, and long timelines. This session highlights real tensions in governance, decision-making, and cultural alignment, and how teams have responded with practical adaptations. Topics include decision making, engagement, and how cultural drift is actively prevented.
Real Results
By looking at how these large projects are navigating IPD at scale, attendees will gain insight into the strategic and behavioral adaptations that drive successful delivery. We’ll highlight how teams preserve alignment, manage risk, and stay connected to purpose—yielding tangible results in trust, client satisfaction, and team cohesion over multi-year builds.
Why this stands out: This session squarely addresses a growing project complexity in IPD. It answers the critical question “What happens when traditional IPD tools aren’t enough?” - offering attendees a roadmap of proven solutions used by real teams tackling real challenges to achieve real results.
Megan Stewart
Facilitator, Collaborative Delivery
Bird Construction
https://www.linkedin.com/in/megankstewart/
How Big IPDs Get Done
As Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) continues to evolve in Canada, some of the country’s largest and most complex projects are now being delivered through this model - pushing the boundaries of what teams, structures, and principles can look like. This presentation explores how two of the country's largest IPD projects - one located in Western Canada and the other in the East - have adapted to optimize outcomes.
We will examine why the traditional IPD toolkit requires a tailored approach to sustain momentum at scale, maintain alignment, and manage risk. We'll also explore how consensus-based decision-making becomes increasingly complex as team size grows, and why cultural management becomes even more critical when projects span up to a decade and cross organizational lines.
This session is ideal for IPD leaders, owners, facilitators, and delivery partners involved in major infrastructure and institutional builds who are looking to scale excellence across both size and time.
Real Teams
As IPD expands into larger, more complex builds, the structure and makeup of project teams must evolve. This session examines two of Canada’s largest active IPD projects - one in the East and one in the West - and how these real, cross-functional teams have adapted to size, complexity, and multi-partner collaboration. You’ll hear how trust, alignment, and clarity are built and maintained even when teams span years and organizations.
Real Challenges
Scaling IPD means stretching its core principles—consensus, collaboration, transparency—across massive scopes, competing stakeholder agendas, and long timelines. This session highlights real tensions in governance, decision-making, and cultural alignment, and how teams have responded with practical adaptations. Topics include decision making, engagement, and how cultural drift is actively prevented.
Real Results
By looking at how these large projects are navigating IPD at scale, attendees will gain insight into the strategic and behavioral adaptations that drive successful delivery. We’ll highlight how teams preserve alignment, manage risk, and stay connected to purpose—yielding tangible results in trust, client satisfaction, and team cohesion over multi-year builds.
Why this stands out: This session squarely addresses a growing project complexity in IPD. It answers the critical question “What happens when traditional IPD tools aren’t enough?” - offering attendees a roadmap of proven solutions used by real teams tackling real challenges to achieve real results.
Sean Keating
Design and Engineering Director
Bird Construction
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-keating-20169846/
How Big IPDs Get Done
As Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) continues to evolve in Canada, some of the country’s largest and most complex projects are now being delivered through this model - pushing the boundaries of what teams, structures, and principles can look like. This presentation explores how two of the country's largest IPD projects - one located in Western Canada and the other in the East - have adapted to optimize outcomes.
We will examine why the traditional IPD toolkit requires a tailored approach to sustain momentum at scale, maintain alignment, and manage risk. We'll also explore how consensus-based decision-making becomes increasingly complex as team size grows, and why cultural management becomes even more critical when projects span up to a decade and cross organizational lines.
This session is ideal for IPD leaders, owners, facilitators, and delivery partners involved in major infrastructure and institutional builds who are looking to scale excellence across both size and time.
Real Teams
As IPD expands into larger, more complex builds, the structure and makeup of project teams must evolve. This session examines two of Canada’s largest active IPD projects - one in the East and one in the West - and how these real, cross-functional teams have adapted to size, complexity, and multi-partner collaboration. You’ll hear how trust, alignment, and clarity are built and maintained even when teams span years and organizations.
Real Challenges
Scaling IPD means stretching its core principles—consensus, collaboration, transparency—across massive scopes, competing stakeholder agendas, and long timelines. This session highlights real tensions in governance, decision-making, and cultural alignment, and how teams have responded with practical adaptations. Topics include decision making, engagement, and how cultural drift is actively prevented.
Real Results
By looking at how these large projects are navigating IPD at scale, attendees will gain insight into the strategic and behavioral adaptations that drive successful delivery. We’ll highlight how teams preserve alignment, manage risk, and stay connected to purpose—yielding tangible results in trust, client satisfaction, and team cohesion over multi-year builds.
Why this stands out: This session squarely addresses a growing project complexity in IPD. It answers the critical question “What happens when traditional IPD tools aren’t enough?” - offering attendees a roadmap of proven solutions used by real teams tackling real challenges to achieve real results.
Shannon Ralfs
Executive Director | Infrastructure & Capital Projects
Malahat Nation
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-ralfs-13248351/
Malahat Nation - How IPD got this Project to the Starting Line?
Real Teams - Team Members from NAC, Chandos, Urban Systems, Copcan and Malahat Nation - Panel Discussion
Real Challenges - The path to a project was a long and winding one, which started in 20215 as Malahat Nation noted that its current infrastructure was straining, and that potential development was being held-up because of a lack of reliable and water/ wastewater infrastructure.
Real Results - In order to engage Indigenous Services Canada and/ or Canada Infrastructure Bank on the Malahat Nation Water and Sewer Systems Upgrades Project on Vancouver Island, a carefully and conscientiously thought out project needed to be tabled.
We think this a very topical and interesting IPD story weaving Federal Funding and First Nations interests through the Integrated Project Delivery methodology.
Ronan Deane
Manager of Strategic Development
NAC Constructors Ltd.
Malahat Nation - How IPD got this Project to the Starting Line?
Real Teams - Team Members from NAC, Chandos, Urban Systems, Copcan and Malahat Nation - Panel Discussion
Real Challenges - The path to a project was a long and winding one, which started in 20215 as Malahat Nation noted that its current infrastructure was straining, and that potential development was being held-up because of a lack of reliable and water/ wastewater infrastructure.
Real Results - In order to engage Indigenous Services Canada and/ or Canada Infrastructure Bank on the Malahat Nation Water and Sewer Systems Upgrades Project on Vancouver Island, a carefully and conscientiously thought out project needed to be tabled.
We think this a very topical and interesting IPD story weaving Federal Funding and First Nations interests through the Integrated Project Delivery methodology.
Steve Brubacher
Water Consultant
Urban Systems
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-brubacher-p-eng-orscc-178bb33b/
Malahat Nation - How IPD got this Project to the Starting Line?
Real Teams - Team Members from NAC, Chandos, Urban Systems, Copcan and Malahat Nation - Panel Discussion
Real Challenges - The path to a project was a long and winding one, which started in 20215 as Malahat Nation noted that its current infrastructure was straining, and that potential development was being held-up because of a lack of reliable and water/ wastewater infrastructure.
Real Results - In order to engage Indigenous Services Canada and/ or Canada Infrastructure Bank on the Malahat Nation Water and Sewer Systems Upgrades Project on Vancouver Island, a carefully and conscientiously thought out project needed to be tabled.
We think this a very topical and interesting IPD story weaving Federal Funding and First Nations interests through the Integrated Project Delivery methodology.
Devin Richards
Project Manager
City of Edmonton
Devin has over 20 years of experience in design and construction projects, with 16 of those years dedicated to working with the City of Edmonton. Throughout his career, he has engaged with various delivery models. Although this is his first IPD project, Devin has been an exceptionally proactive client representative from the outset. He has shown remarkable adaptability, learning and unlearning processes and methods to support the IPD project. The IPD team has repeatedly identified Devin as one of the project's MVPs. Having personally experienced the paradigm shift that IPD brings, Devin is eager to share his insights with other owners and team members.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-richards-52471859/
City of Edmonton's Ambleside Project: Successfully Navigating Uncertainty with a High Performing Team
The Ambleside Integrated Site Project is the City of Edmonton’s third Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) initiative, and it has once again proven to be a remarkable success. The team managed to transform a budget deficit at the project's inception into savings reinvested into project value, coming in under budget during construction. We will highlight how the team achieved this feat while skillfully navigating tariffs and managing multiple stakeholders. This team, comprising both seasoned and novice IPD members, has excelled in building and maintaining impressive team health scores, averaging 4.6 out of 5!
Jeffrey Tyson
IPD Projects Director / Project Manager
AltaPro Electirc Ltd.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-tyson-16802bab/
City of Edmonton's Ambleside Project: Successfully Navigating Uncertainty with a High Performing Team
The Ambleside Integrated Site Project is the City of Edmonton’s third Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) initiative, and it has once again proven to be a remarkable success. The team managed to transform a budget deficit at the project's inception into savings reinvested into project value, coming in under budget during construction. We will highlight how the team achieved this feat while skillfully navigating tariffs and managing multiple stakeholders. This team, comprising both seasoned and novice IPD members, has excelled in building and maintaining impressive team health scores, averaging 4.6 out of 5!
Elise Vajsabel - IPD Coach
IPD Coach
Stok
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-vajsabel-3b617711b/
City of Edmonton's Ambleside Project: Successfully Navigating Uncertainty with a High Performing Team
The Ambleside Integrated Site Project is the City of Edmonton’s third Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) initiative, and it has once again proven to be a remarkable success. The team managed to transform a budget deficit at the project's inception into savings reinvested into project value, coming in under budget during construction. We will highlight how the team achieved this feat while skillfully navigating tariffs and managing multiple stakeholders. This team, comprising both seasoned and novice IPD members, has excelled in building and maintaining impressive team health scores, averaging 4.6 out of 5!