AACEI BC section Technical & Social Networking Event

Welcome to the AACEI BC section Technical & Social Networking Event! Join us for an evening of networking and learning with fellow professionals in the industry. This event will take place on Wednesday November 05,2025 .Don't miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional network. See you there!

Topic:

Panel discussion on the topic of Challenges of large infrastructure Projects

Venue:

Cost : Members – $10, Non members – $50

( Includes buffet style dinner Valued at $55, includes one drink ticket) Cash Bar available to purchase drinks

Registration open till October 29th

The event is open to both members and non-members

Panel Member:

James Hawkins P.Eng. MBA PMP

Associate Partner and Senior Director at CIMA+ Based in our Vancouver, BC

With over 24 years of experience spanning project management, engineering, construction, and operations, Hawkins is a dedicated leader committed to delivering results for clients. His holistic perspective in Transmission and Distribution (T&D) power delivery, gained through involvement in all stages of the value chain, uniquely positions him to address complex challenges faced by electrical utilities. In his role as Senior Director of T&D and Project Management for CIMA+, Hawkins oversees teams responsible for T&D Engineering Services and Project Delivery. He emphasizes effective communication, methodical planning, and disciplined execution as keys to project excellence.

Panel Member:

Melanie Kilpatrick, P.Eng, PMP, ENV SP

Project Director, Major Projects Governance and Controls, FortisBC

With over 20 years of experience in energy infrastructure, Melanie specializes in the design and construction of urban pipeline systems. She leads multidisciplinary teams through complex capital projects, consistently balancing environmental stewardship and operational excellence within a challenging regulatory framework.

As a Mechanical Engineer and certified P.Eng., PMP, and ENV SP, Melanie brings strategic oversight, technical depth, and a collaborative leadership style to every initiative. She is passionate about mentoring, developing people, and fostering inclusive, high-performing teams.

Outside of work, Melanie is a proud lacrosse mom, an avid soccer player, and a firm believer in the power of sport to shape how we lead, connect, and grow.

Panel Member:

Ali Yahosseini,P.Eng., MSc. POM

Department Manager, Oversight and Conformance at BC Hydro

Ali Yahosseini brings over 25 years of international experience in Contract Management, Project Management, and Project Controls, with a career spanning Canada, Germany, and Iran managing gas refinery and hydropower plant development projects.

Since joining BC Hydro in 2011, Ali has contributed to major generation, transmission, and distribution projects, initially through MWH Global and Wood Plc, as project controls and supply chain manager. Ali has held several leadership roles, including Senior Contract Manager for the Site C Clean Energy Project, managing a $6B portfolio of dam site and Balance of Plant contracts. Most recently, Ali served as Department Manager for Oversight & Conformance within the Capital Infrastructure Project Delivery group, overseeing lifecycle management of Engineering and Project Delivery Consultant Master Service Agreements (MSAs) valued at $2B non-committed contracts. He currently serves as acting Division Manager, Support Services, a multi-disciplinary team delivering safety, commissioning and site engineering, equipment testing, construction planning and practices, and administrative support.

Ali holds a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and an M.Sc. in Production and Operations Management from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. Ali is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) registered with EGBC, a Project Management Professional (PMP), and actively contributes to the profession as an EGBC interviewer. Ali also serves as President of the AACE BC Section, promoting best practices in contract governance, project controls, and estimating.

Also check out other Business events in Vancouver, Arts events in Vancouver, Entertainment events in Vancouver.