People | Faces of the sector
Tracking the people driving change in the hydro industry, from new board appointments to career milestones
McMillen hires Merry Dang as Canada Market Lead
McMillen has announced the hiring of Merry Dang as Market Lead for Canada, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to supporting Canadian clients amid the country’s growing demand for sustainable water and hydropower infrastructure. With over 20 years of experience in client relations and more than a decade of expertise in hydropower, dam engineering, and nuclear energy, Dang will be instrumental in McMillen’s Canadian market strategy and serve as a local leader connecting clients with the firm’s service lines and dedicated team of water resource experts. Throughout her career, Dang has combined
strategic insight with a deep commitment to industry collaboration. She has led initiatives in market development, client engagement, and partnership building, helping organizations strengthen their market presence and successfully deliver complex infrastructure projects across Canada. Beyond her professional achievements, she is an active leader within the hydropower community, contributing to the Canadian Dam Association, Ontario Waterpower Association, WaterPower Canada, and the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD). Her involvement reflects a dedication to workforce development, knowledge exchange, and advancing sustainable water and energy infrastructure. Reflecting on her new role, Merry Dang
shared: “I’m excited to join McMillen and work with a team that’s fully focused on water resources. Our firm’s niche expertise, combined with the right people on every project, allows us to provide clients with the most effective and sustainable solutions. McMillen’s values of prioritizing client needs, leveraging past work, and committing only to projects we can truly deliver, aligns perfectly with my goal of helping clients meet both their energy and sustainability objectives. I look forward to presenting our full range of services and supporting clients as they achieve success in Canada’s evolving water and hydropower sector.” By uniting strategic business expertise with
strong industry relationships, Dang brings clients a uniquely connected perspective on market opportunities, technical innovation, and policy trends. As Canada’s hydropower and infrastructure sectors continue to grow, her leadership will expand McMillen’s local presence and strengthen McMillen’s ability to deliver comprehensive, forward-
looking expertise across the country. Dang’s involvement ensures clients have direct access to a leader who combines deep industry knowledge with strategic vision. Marissa Emmons, McMillen’s Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Growth, highlighted the significance of Merry Dang’s role for the Canadian market, “For more than a decade, we have had the privilege of working in Canada, building strong relationships and delivering impactful results. With Merry joining our team, we are excited to further expand our presence and enhance the ways we contribute to Canada’s dynamic and growing market.”
Mott MacDonald appoints Technical Director
Mott MacDonald has appointed Richard Woodward as technical director in its environmental and sustainability services team, reinforcing its commitment to delivering sustainable infrastructure and environmental excellence across the UK. With nearly two decades of experience spanning both the public and private sectors, Woodward brings deep expertise in environmental impact assessment, environmental risk management, sustainable design and delivery of major infrastructure. He spent the last 15 years at the
Environment Agency where he spearheaded flood infrastructure initiatives and shaped environmental deliverables that balance development with long-term sustainability. Most recently he was environment manager for the River Thames Scheme, the UK’s first flood resilience project to require a Development Consent Order (DCO), providing strategic leadership across all environmental aspects of the pre-application stage. Woodward joins a growing team, comprising over 130 environmental and sustainability professionals across 17 offices nationwide. They play a pivotal role in delivering environmental planning and consultancy services across sectors including highways, rail, energy and water.
Commenting on his appointment Woodward said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Mott MacDonald at such a pivotal time for environmental consultancy. The scale and diversity of projects here offer a real opportunity to embed sustainability and resilience into infrastructure from the ground up. I look forward to working with talented colleagues across the UK to
8 | December 2025 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
deliver vital infrastructure and other major developments to support economic growth and achieve meaningful environmental outcomes.” Julia Barrett, global practice leader for
environment, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Richard to the team. He brings invaluable insights to our environmental consultancy, and his strategic approach and collaborative mindset align perfectly with our values. Mott MacDonald is at the forefront of integrating environmental and social considerations into infrastructure planning and his appointment reflects our continued investment to ensure we support clients to deliver environmentally-led projects.”
Key executive appointments at Kleinschmidt Canada
Kleinschmidt Canada has announced several key executive appointments that strengthen its leadership team and support the firm’s continued growth and expanding presence across the Canadian renewable energy and environmental consulting markets. Trevor Lykens has been appointed Executive
Vice President of Kleinschmidt Canada. Kevin Cooley has been promoted to Senior Vice President, and Chris Vella has been named Vice President. In addition, Rochelle Varney has been appointed Treasurer of Kleinschmidt Canada, expanding her financial leadership role within the company. “These appointments mark an exciting
chapter in Kleinschmidt Canada’s continued expansion,” said Alison Jakupca, Chair of the Kleinschmidt Board of Directors. “Trevor, Kevin, Chris, and Rochelle each bring exceptional leadership, expertise, and a shared commitment to advancing our mission of delivering innovative, sustainable solutions for our clients across Canada and beyond.” Kleinschmidt CEO Tim Oakes added, “Our
growth in Canada reflects both the strength of our people and the trust our clients place in us. These leaders embody Kleinschmidt’s collaborative spirit and will continue to guide our efforts to deliver forward-thinking, environmentally responsible solutions that make a difference in communities across Canada.” The appointments align with Kleinschmidt Canada’s strategic vision to deliver high-impact engineering, regulatory and environmental consulting services that support clean-energy infrastructure, dam-safety initiatives, fisheries passage, habitat restoration and water-resource management.
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