My career started in a trench.

Not metaphorically—literally.

Early in my career as a civil engineer, I spent long days standing in open trenches verifying soil density. The work was dirty, rushed, and often felt insignificant. I had become an engineer to help build the infrastructure that supports people’s lives—roads, bridges, and homes—but early on I felt disconnected from that purpose. That disconnect between high-level purpose (building society) and low-level reality (soil compaction logs) felt incredibly isolating.

Looking for deeper understanding, I returned to school and earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. I believed that if I better understood how systems work, I could help design better solutions for the world around us. Over the years, my career took me across many industries—healthcare, automotive, renewable energy, conventional energy, consulting, software development, project management, education, and startups. I was learning, growing, and building a strong skillset. The work was good, the paycheques were steady, and the roles were challenging.

But something was still missing.

The work always focused on what I was doing, not why I was doing it. I felt like a cog in a much larger machine. Then I noticed something important: the work that gave me the most fulfillment was helping startups. Working with founders to overcome technical and process challenges, shaping early ideas, and helping move them toward real-world impact. That’s when everything clicked.

My “what” was the experience and skills I had built across industries.

My “why” was helping innovators turn ideas into solutions that improve people’s lives.

The missing piece was "how".

I found that answer in the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program. SR&ED allows innovative companies to fund the difficult work of research and development. But funding is only part of the equation. True innovation is lonely, and founders often struggle to explain their vision to the outside world. Innovators don't just need capital—they need to be deeply understood by people who speak their language and appreciate the risk of doing something new.

Today, my mission is simple: help innovators feel understood, through working with our multitalented team here at Develop 42.