AECOM Appoints David Humphreys to Lead Risk and Project Delivery in Canada as SVP
AECOM, a global leader in infrastructure consulting and engineering services, has announced the appointment of David Humphreys as Senior Vice President, Canada Risk and Project Delivery Leader. This significant leadership transition underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its project delivery capabilities and enhancing client satisfaction across Canada.
In his new executive role, Mr. Humphreys will be responsible for spearheading the strategic execution of AECOM’s growth agenda in Canada. His mandate includes expanding the firm’s project portfolio, enhancing operational efficiency, improving risk management frameworks, and elevating the quality of project execution. He will play a key role in aligning regional operations with AECOM’s global mission to deliver sustainable, resilient, and forward-thinking infrastructure solutions.
Mr. Humphreys brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in managing large-scale infrastructure initiatives across multiple disciplines. With a career spanning nearly three decades at AECOM, he has established himself as a respected leader within the organization, widely known for his collaborative approach, technical expertise, and unwavering dedication to quality.
A Proven Leader with a Long-Standing Track Record at AECOM
Prior to his promotion to Senior Vice President, Mr. Humphreys served as Director of Operations for AECOM’s Water business in Central and Western Canada. In that capacity, he was instrumental in planning, coordinating, and executing a wide range of critical infrastructure projects for municipal, regional, and private sector clients. His responsibilities included managing multidisciplinary teams, optimizing resource allocation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and delivering high-quality solutions within budget and schedule constraints.
Over his 28-year tenure with AECOM, Mr. Humphreys has contributed significantly to the company’s success across various sectors. He has led numerous complex projects focused on water, wastewater, stormwater, and environmental infrastructure. His experience spans all phases of project development—from conceptual planning and risk evaluation to design execution and construction oversight. Moreover, his leadership has helped position AECOM as a trusted partner in Canada’s infrastructure landscape.
Richard Barrett, Chief Executive of AECOM’s Canada region, lauded Mr. Humphreys’ promotion, emphasizing the impact of his leadership and mentorship over the years.
“AECOM continues to be a place where talented professionals thrive, advancing into leadership roles within a culture that fosters opportunity and drives meaningful impact,” said Mr. Barrett. “David has been an integral part of our success for 28 years, supporting clients while providing operational leadership, mentorship, and guidance to our teams on a wide range of multi-disciplinary projects and business initiatives across the region. In his new position, he will continue to be a tremendous asset by providing quality project delivery, successful team leadership, and technical excellence. I’m thrilled to congratulate him on his new role at AECOM.”
Advancing Risk Management and Project Delivery
In his new role as Senior Vice President, Mr. Humphreys will place a particular focus on reinforcing AECOM’s risk management protocols and streamlining project delivery systems. His leadership will be essential in ensuring that projects are delivered not only on time and within scope but also with heightened attention to client value, safety, and long-term resilience.
Speaking about his promotion, Mr. Humphreys shared his enthusiasm for taking on this expanded leadership role:
“I’m excited to help drive successful business initiatives and broaden our project portfolio in the expanded scope of my new role,” said Mr. Humphreys. “My primary focus will be on enabling successful project delivery through practical risk management and supporting outcomes that align with AECOM’s commitment to reliability, quality, and value for our clients.”
This appointment comes at a pivotal time for AECOM in Canada, as the company accelerates its efforts to support transformative infrastructure initiatives across urban development, transportation, energy, and water sectors. Mr. Humphreys’ deep institutional knowledge and strong relationships with clients and stakeholders will play a key role in supporting this strategic direction.
Leadership Continuity and Operational Strength: Laurel Murphy Appointed as Director of Operations – Water
As part of the broader leadership transition, AECOM has also announced that Laurel Murphy has been appointed as the new Director of Operations for the Water business in Central and Western Canada, succeeding Mr. Humphreys in this critical position.
Ms. Murphy brings over 20 years of industry experience in consulting engineering, specifically within the water sector. A registered professional engineer in Ontario, Alberta, and Nova Scotia, she has an established reputation for managing complex infrastructure projects with technical precision and a client-centric approach. Her work includes high-profile water and sewer system projects for major municipalities such as Metro Vancouver, Halifax, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, and the Region of Halton.
In her new role, Ms. Murphy will lead the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of AECOM’s water services team in the region. She will focus on enhancing client engagement, ensuring the successful delivery of mission-critical infrastructure, and implementing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions. Her leadership will also play a central role in driving forward AECOM’s “Think and Act Globally” strategy—a corporate initiative aimed at integrating global expertise and resources to address local infrastructure challenges more effectively.
Supporting Canada’s Infrastructure Needs Through Innovation and Collaboration
Together, Mr. Humphreys and Ms. Murphy represent a new chapter in AECOM’s leadership in Canada—one grounded in experience, innovation, and a shared commitment to delivering infrastructure that meets today’s most pressing environmental, economic, and social challenges.
As AECOM continues to expand its presence across Canada, this leadership restructuring reinforces the company’s long-standing philosophy of promoting talent from within, investing in people who demonstrate a deep commitment to client service, project excellence, and organizational integrity.
Under Mr. Humphreys’ guidance, AECOM is expected to further its ability to anticipate and mitigate project risks, streamline execution, and increase overall performance across its Canadian portfolio. Likewise, Ms. Murphy’s operational leadership will ensure continuity in the water sector while infusing fresh perspectives and practices that align with future infrastructure demands.
About AECOM
AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm that delivers professional services throughout the project lifecycle—from planning, design, and engineering to program and construction management. With a workforce spanning six continents, the company partners with clients in the public and private sectors to solve their most complex challenges, delivering projects that transform communities, improve mobility, ensure access to clean water, and support economic growth.
Through its integrated approach, AECOM has become synonymous with innovation, sustainability, and delivery excellence. Its Canadian operations play a vital role in delivering nationwide infrastructure priorities—ranging from transit and water systems to buildings and environmental remediation projects.
With the appointment of David Humphreys and the promotion of Laurel Murphy, AECOM further strengthens its leadership team to meet the future demands of Canada’s evolving infrastructure landscape.
