#ActForTomorrow: Bridging Innovation and Responsibility

Lemar Sherzad is a Project Engineer in the Transportation Structures department at RVA. His work focuses on the design and rehabilitation of bridges, a role that blends technical problem-solving with collaboration.

As a bridge designer, he has spent the last few years shaping transportation structures across Canada. During his interview, Lemar stated that responsible design also includes fairness, transparency and long-term thinking, to build something today that doesn’t come at the expense of tomorrow. Much of his approach is rooted in the tools he uses daily as they help him translate “big-picture sustainability” into practical everyday decision-making. Spreadsheets, for example, have become one of his reliable resources. Over time, he has built and tweaked templates to streamline bridge design tasks. These tools, though simple, have proven invaluable. “They save time, reduce errors, and make it easier for others to jump in and contribute, enabling us to focus on our sustainable goals as a team,” he said.

During a bridge widening project, he used a decision matrix template to weigh options based on material selection, cost, constructability, and long-term maintenance. The outcome was clear and effective as it helped the team quickly narrow down the best solution and present it clearly to stakeholders. “Having that tool ready to go made the whole process smoother and more transparent,” Lemar added.

When asked about governance in engineering, Lemar expresses that governance is multileveled and does not need to feel abstract or detached from everyday work. He emphasizes that supporting tools like templates, checklists, and shared folders bring governance into a standardized workflow, at his level and that of his peers. At RVA, where team members are encouraged to share and develop resources, these practices also support the company’s ESG goals. “When everyone’s using the same playbook, it’s easier to uphold standards and make decisions that align with our values,” he said.

Furthermore, any tools or templates he develops are accessible to colleagues and he welcomes feedback to improve them. He explains that transparency is more than just sharing data; it also means creating a culture where people feel comfortable asking questions and contributing.

Outside of the office, Lemar and his wife endeavour to live responsibly. Living in the city, they walk or take the transit, when possible, cook at home, and avoid single-use plastics. At work, he has adopted digital markups instead of printing, a habit supported by RVA’s green initiatives such as waste audits and sustainable procurement. Looking ahead, Lemar is grateful to be part of a workplace that values sustainability in both big-picture goals and everyday practices, and he is glad to be part of a team that genuinely cares about people, projects, and the planet.