Rising Stars 2025: Kenn Leonhardt

Kenn Leonhardt, 38
Associate vice president, rail
AECOM

Nominator’s quote: “Throughout his career, Kenn has worked to deliver enduring positive outcomes for AECOM clients and the communities we serve, while also creating far-reaching positive influence on AECOM culture. His work continues to inspire his colleagues, clients.” — John Warren, AECOM

Education: Bachelor of Science in civil engineering, University of Calgary; worked toward an accelerated M.Eng. in project management, University of Newcastle, Australia.

Job responsibilities: Leading AECOM’s western Canada rail-engineering consulting practice, while also playing a role in managing client accounts with Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CN across North America. Duties include proposals and contract negotiations, hiring and managing staff, preparing and stamping designs, managing projects and programs, and overall development and strengthening of the AECOM team’s offerings.

Briefly describe your career path.
My brother helped me get an interview at AECOM, where I initially aimed for roads engineering but was offered a role in the rail group. I started with field supervision and design/drafting, supporting numerous CPKC siding extensions in the Rocky Mountains.

As that program ended, I shifted to designing crude-by-rail terminals in Alberta, seeing several through from concept to operation. During this period, I took on increasing project management responsibilities while continuing hands-on design work.

When oil prices dropped and rail activity slowed, I joined the program management team for the final stages of Calgary International Airport’s Parallel Runway, the largest project I’ve worked on.

I returned to rail work as demand picked up, and in 2017 became Calgary civil and track lead. I began hiring and gradually expanded my scope to other rail-related disciplines, cities, provinces and eventually a large region. In early 2024, I received my current title but still take on many of the same tasks I did when I started.

What sparked your interest in the rail industry?
I stumbled into the rail industry as it happened to be the first real job offer I got out of university and I wasn’t going to say no to anything. A career in the rail industry had never been on my radar as an option, with zero prior exposure. Sticking with it and getting past the grunt work years, my interest kept rising, and I could see that, compared to my peers, it offered an unparallelled level of autonomy and variety.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
My first job was as a parking attendant for the Calgary Stampede. Working with the public was an eye-opening experience, and very good motivation to pursue an education and profession.

What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
Having traveled to over 50 countries in the past 15 years, people often think I’m in the aviation industry or unemployed. Instead, it’s just that I’ve been fortunate to be in an industry and with an employer that’s allowed me the flexibility to pursue my travel bug on my own time, while not having to sacrifice my career.

What’s one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned so far in your career?
Be responsive and do what you’ll say you’ll do. It’s something my best managers and mentors exhibited that I recognized made me want to work with them, and something I try to emulate.

When things get tough — at work, in the industry or in life — how do you stay motivated and resilient?
Prioritize yourself, be consistent and stay calm. I go to the gym every morning, I take plenty of vacations, and I never sacrifice sleep. Even if it’s just getting out for a walk, the mental benefits of setting aside that time and being physically active cannot be understated.

If you could share a meal with anyone in the world today, who would it be and why?
For a mix of British comedic relief, controversial opinions, along with an entrepreneurial spirit and somebody that has seen many parts of the world, Jeremy Clarkson I think would provide an entertaining meal with a variety of stories.

In your view, what is the rail industry’s biggest challenge?
It’s both a challenge and an opportunity, but navigating the changing demographics and developing the next generation of railroaders remains a prominent issue. I feel no matter where you are in your career, you should always be in a helping position and enabling people to be your successor, while also giving them the latitude to develop in different ways.