After over 13 exceptional years of dedication to our WalterFedy family, Shelley Forwell, Senior Project Engineer, Former Civil Business Unit Leader and Partner, is retiring. Shelley’s professional journey is highlighted by continuous growth and adaptability, leaving a true impact within the Waterloo Region and GTA engineering communities.
Shelley began her career at Paragon Engineering, where she developed a strong foundation in site development and stormwater management. Later, she transitioned to the City of Waterloo gaining approval experience within the public sector.
After a nine-year break, Shelley returned to the industry with MTE. As she adapted to new age technology, Shelley showcased her talent by starting as a part-time employee, which eventually led to numerous full-time opportunities such as Designer, Project Manager, and Team Manager.
As someone who has always aimed for growth, Shelley then joined the WalterFedy team in 2012 as a Project Manager, where she started her journey of scaling the business and building a strong, cohesive team culture.
Shelley’s career at WalterFedy quickly evolved, becoming a Business Unit Leader in 2017 before claiming her current role as a Senior Project Engineer. These career steps allowed Shelley to focus on significant team growth and internal development of talent.
When reflecting on her career, Shelley points to the human side of leadership and the relationships she built along the way. From supporting others and balancing her own professional ambition, Shelley always led with her heart.
Shelley recalls a true career highlight in her work with EllisDon and their exceptional consultant team. In particular, the project at CHEO, which included a parking garage (WalterFedy were the architects as well), and the Integrated Treatment Centre, formerly known as 1Door4Care. She notes how the site presented meaningful challenges, particularly from a grading perspective since the site was tight with a lot of elevation change and accessibility was required throughout.
“It was a privilege to witness the dedication and commitment of the entire team of professionals involved, all working toward the improved care this facility will help provide when its doors open in 2028. And I’m grateful to have been part of a project with such lasting community impact.”
As Shelley steps into retirement, we thank her for her many contributions, mentorship and true care for others. We wish her all the best in this next chapter.