Aecom appoints Katherine Stephens as COO for Canada

Aecom, a global design and engineering consulting firm, has promoted Katherine Stephens to senior vice president and chief operating officer for its Canada region.

Based in Toronto, Stephens will be responsible for driving long-term growth, providing operational leadership, and overseeing strategic insight and hiring for business activities in Canada.

She has over 20 years of professional experience, including 17 years at Aecom, where she has focused on improving operational efficiency, enhancing client satisfaction, and managing organizational change.

Stephens previously served as SVP and director of operations and as corporate vice president. She joined the firm in 2007 as a finance manager. She began her career at GE, where she spent four years as a financial analyst.

Stephens has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wilfrid Laurier University.

“We are thrilled for Katherine to build on her outstanding track record at AECOM and take our business forward as we collaborate with clients across Canada on the country’s largest and most impactful infrastructure projects,” said Richard Barrett, chief executive of Aecom’s Canada region. “Katherine has a demonstrated history of leading high performing teams to continually improve operational efficiency, enhance client satisfaction and manage organizational change while successfully balancing short-term business objectives with long-term growth.

Stephens added, “I’m honored to step into this new role and partner with Richard and the senior leadership team, where we will continue to improve operating performance and remain committed to delivering on clients’ expectations.”

Aecom earlier this year appointed Aleksandar Zivkovic as mining market sector lead for its Canadian water business.