Rising Stars 2026: Julianne Meijaard

Julianne Meijaard, 36 
Senior project manager, rail
AECOM Canada ULC

Nominator’s quote: “Julianne is an exceptional project manager and collaborator who elevates every team she joins. She builds connections quickly, brings together multiple disciplines with ease and isn’t afraid to experiment with new approaches to complex engineering challenges. When obstacles arise, she meets them head-on, always focused on delivering for clients and driving projects to successful, high-quality outcomes.” — Kenn Leonhardt, AECOM

Education: Civil engineering degree, Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University)

Job responsibilities: Manages an array of disciplines from civil, track, mechanical, electrical, signals and structural to deliver heavy freight and passenger projects that are reshaping how goods and people move. Oversees the design of projects highlighted by railway owners, listens to the client’s objectives, and offers engineering solutions that demonstrate practicality, constructability and forward thinking.

Briefly describe your career path.
I started my early career working as a field engineer for a contractor on a remote hydro dam project. I joined AECOM’s rail team out of Mississauga as a project coordinator in 2014. I obtained my P.Eng (Ontario) in December 2017 and was promoted to project manager in January 2018, managing smaller projects. I was promoted to senior project manager in February 2022, managing larger projects and coordinating with various disciplines to deliver full railroad projects, and taking on a larger role supporting our rail client’s goals.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
I was born and raised on a farm and — as many farm kids will attest — it was truly my first job. I learned hard work, persistence and dedication from farming, along with the principle that if you want a person or an animal to work well for/with you, you need to treat them with respect and care.

What sparked your interest in the rail industry? What told you it could be a place for you to thrive?
I was looking for my next opportunity after the hydro dam project was completed and found a listing for a railway project coordinator. Having been raised on a farm, and understanding the hard work of the railway, this piqued my interest. However, it was once I started working with Metrolinx and CN that I knew this was a great place for me to thrive. The people that I worked with day-to-day, including at AECOM and with our clients, were truly dedicated to the vision of delivering railway projects. The dedication and drive surrounding each project was contagious. Mix that with the increase of railway projects in Canada, and you get a winning combination.

What’s one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned in your career?
You get out what you put in, in the quality of work and in the strength of relationships. Laying the groundwork with intention and purpose is reflected through consistency, effort and gaining trust. I have been fortunate to have great leaders who have displayed the rewards of intentional communication and delivering quality products throughout my career.

What are your passions outside of work?
I enjoy gardening, though I’m mediocre at best, and hanging out with my kids.

How do you plan to keep making an impact in your corner of the industry?
Focusing on building relationships and partnerships with rail organizations to deliver rail projects to move goods and people more effectively. I support collaboration and foster an environment that encourages cross communication, not silos, so as to allow information to flow and solutions to be assembled from different vantage points.

What's the biggest challenge confronting the rail industry today?
From my perspective, it's the constant evolution of technology and how that will apply to the railroad. From signal system changes like ETCS2 to new techniques and machinery for construction, there are updated methodologies to consider and implement.