Success for OPUS at ACENZ Awards

14 August 2014
MEDIA RELEASE

Success for OPUS at ACENZ Awards

Opus International Consultants, one of New Zealand’s leading infrastructure consultancies, has been honoured at the 2014 Association of Consulting Engineers (ACENZ) INNOVATE NZ Awards.

The ACENZ Innovate Awards attract outstanding and innovative projects from all engineering disciplines and recognise the valuable contribution that engineers make to developing and maintaining sustainable infrastructure in New Zealand.

The Opus team, were awarded a total of four awards including securing the ACENZ Future Leader Award, for a consecutive year.

Up-and-comer, Emily Stevens, a chartered Geotechnical Engineer from Queenstown clinched the prestigious Award. Ms Stevens specialises in geotechnical site investigation & design, contract management and construction supervision. She was recognised for her strong leadership skills in leading teams who work in high risk situations following slip and rockfall events on the state highways.

“For me, leadership is about taking ownership and providing a clear and concise direction, but more than that it is about having a vision and the ability to motivate others to share that vision,” says Ms Stevens. “I’m delighted with this award and the opportunities it provides such as participating in The International Federation of Consulting Engineers Young Professionals Training Programme and having a year on the ACENZ Board.”

Ms Stevens has a key leadership role as Opus’ Geotechnical Practice Interest Network Chair, a role that oversees the technical well-being of 200 professionals worldwide. As a strong community supporter, she is also the Central Otago representative for IPENZ and is particularly passionate about the development of women in leadership in the engineering field.

“We are seeing more and more women enter the field of engineering and this increased diversity is an encouraging shift for the industry,” says Ms Stevens. “Opus is helping to lead the way and has recently established a Women in Leadership group to increase the number of women in leadership positions and to support women in their career development.”

At the awards ceremony, Opus was also presented with a Silver Excellence Award for the SH94 Milford Road: Homer Tunnel Western Portal Rockfall Risk Management and two Merit Awards for the SH35 Mareanui Realignment and Christchurch Southern Motorway: Stage 1.

In addition to the four awards, Opus Transportation Leader, Keryn Kliskey, was elected as the President of ACENZ at the conference for a two year term. Mr Kliskey has been on the ACENZ governing board for the past three years, led the ACENZ transportation group, and was the vice-president of ACENZ in 2013.

“This recognition of our work and our contribution to engineering is testament to the talent of our people. Infrastructure and engineering will continue to shape the world we live in, and I am enthusiastic about the role Opus will play in in New Zealand’s future,” says Opus Chief Executive, Dr David Prentice.

ENDS

© Scoop Media