Job history: Shara joined Tri Innovations on May 1, 2024. She serves as engineer-of-record on major rail projects where her technical rigor and high standards have been instrumental in project success. Beyond her project impact, Shara is known for her strong client relationships, collaborative leadership style and commitment to mentoring the engineering team.

Why she's influential as a leader: At Tri Innovations, Shara has become one of the most trusted engineering and project leaders. She managed the Whitla, Alberta, rail siding project, where she oversaw the full design effort and coordinated multidisciplinary engineering teams. She now holds multiple senior roles for the $170 million Watco Fort Saskatchewan rail expansion across two brownfield sites.

A core part of Shara's influence is her ability to drive innovation and efficiency. She facilitates design workshops to integrate disciplines, reduce project costs and introduce streamlined design methods. Her collaboration-first mindset strengthens client relationships and delivers results that exceed expectations.

Shara also is committed to mentoring junior engineers and fostering a supportive environment for women in rail. Her impact extends beyond Tri Innovations into the broader rail industry. For example, she serves as a committee member on AREMA Committee 14 and presented at the AREMA Conference in 2025. Her work reflects industry best practices in brownfield rail design, stakeholder collaboration, safety enhancements, sustainability and cost-effective engineering solutions.