Holynde Smiechowski, winner of the 2025 Women’s Infrastructure Network Emerging Leader Award, has made impressive contributions that suggest a promising future for the PCL Construction project manager. 

PCL Project Manager Holynde Smiechowski is a problem solver, her brain seemingly hardwired to find solutions — and she doesn’t quit until the problem is solved. Her ability to overcome complexity is a perfect fit for the solution-provider culture that defines PCL Construction.

She’s been described as a savant, exceptional, unwavering, a supercomputer, a unicorn, and unstoppable, all descriptions that illustrate her dedication, leadership and capacity to learn.

Smiechowski’s career journey began at the University of British Columbia, where she earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in civil engineering. Her instinct to lead emerged early, notably as Chair of the Engineers Without Borders Canada annual conference, where she united diverse professionals under the theme “Vision, Action, Voice.”  This early leadership experience set the tone for her career of advocacy, and impact. By aligning engineers, policymakers, and local leaders, she ensured that sustainable, community-driven solutions were not just discussed, but implemented.

She brought that same hunger and passion with her to PCL in 2012. Her first introduction to the construction industry was during university. Smiechowski began as a student volunteer, joining a job site in Surrey, British Columbia during reading week to explore the construction world. That decision would change her life. Just a few weeks later, she was offered a field engineer position with PCL.

At PCL, her early assignments demonstrated her potential. On two challenging projects in Coquitlam — a design-build mental health facility and a cost-plus civil infrastructure project — Smiechowski exceeded client expectations by delivering both projects ahead of schedule and under budget. Her ability to drive results under complex conditions showcased her strategic thinking and leadership in action.

Her role as project manager on The Post, British Columbia’s largest heritage revitalization project, stands out as a career highlight. Smiechowski helped transform a historic post office into a LEED Gold-certified hub for Vancouver’s knowledge economy. Despite being built during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project met budget and schedule targets and earned multiple accolades, including Gold for the General Contractor Award over $100 million and the Special Heritage Recognition Award at the VRCA Awards of Excellence.

Currently, Smiechowski serves as contract and risk manager on Metro Vancouver’s $3.86 billion North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project. The project will provide a higher level of wastewater treatment to better protect the marine environment and meet the growing needs of North and West Vancouver and the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Her negotiation skills and comprehensive understanding of contracts have been pivotal in advancing this critical infrastructure project. Cheryl Nelms, general manager of project delivery for Metro Vancouver, praised Smiechowski for her unwavering commitment to the project. “I have negotiated many multibillion-dollar contracts over my career, and I admired Holynde’s work ethic and drive to support both sides of the negotiation table to get the contract over the line.”

Marc Chiasson, who oversees operations across Canada as vice president, Civil Infrastructure, worked alongside Smiechowski during negotiations and was impressed by her ability to solve the most complex issues.

“Her commitment to excellence goes beyond meeting deadlines and budgets,’ says Chiasson. “She prioritizes outcomes that benefit both clients and the communities they serve, reinforcing her reputation for delivering high-quality, purpose-driven projects.”

Beyond her desire to see projects to completion, Smiechowski says she is driven to improve the path for those who follow her. As a founding member of PCL’s BC Region DEI committee, she helps build strategies that foster an inclusive workplace. Within the infrastructure industry, she is the driving force behind networking initiatives that connect women in the BC Region, equipping them with skills training and professional development, as well as fostering connections between mentors and mentees.

Smiechowski’s leadership in DEI isn’t just about practices — it’s about action. By creating tangible opportunities for women in the industry, she aims to actively shape a more diverse, skilled, and empowered workforce. Her involvement with Canadian Construction Women over the past decade has also strengthened PCL’s partnership with the organization and provided critical opportunities to advance women in construction.

While Smiechowski acknowledges that being a woman in a male-dominated industry offers challenges, she is also quick to recognize the strong mentorship and continuous support she has received at PCL.

“I want to stand out, not because I’m a woman, but because of my accomplishments. I have been fortunate to have several mentors who recognized my drive and determination and put me in positions to succeed.”

Smiechowski says she sees an earnest commitment from PCL to support and develop employees of all genders, abilities and backgrounds.

“The culture at PCL reminds me that I am right where I belong,” Smiechowski says. “The values that define me, also define PCL. Being inclusive, accessible and willing to lead others is in both our DNAs.”

Smiechowski’s 13-year career reflects the best of what can be achieved when innovation, inclusion and determination converge. Her valuable skill set inspired Metro Vancouver’s Cheryl Nelms to nominate her for the 2025 Women’s Infrastructure Network Emerging Leader Award after working together on the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant contract negotiations. At the awards ceremony, Smiechowski emerged as the winner, beating out four other finalists.

Buoyed by her experiences with projects totaling more than $2 billion of work for PCL, Smiechowski continues to develop those around her and is poised to lead additional major projects, building a stronger culture and a better future.