A Collingwood woman and CCI graduate is riding the wave of new stormwater technologies.
For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood we spoke with Kirsten McFarlane, 29, project co-ordinator with Greenland International Consulting Ltd.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Nottawa. I went to Nottawa Elementary School.
I moved to Collingwood just before high school. I went to Collingwood Collegiate Institute. I went away to (post-secondary) school and after that, I came back and have stayed.
Q: You work at Greenland International Consulting Ltd. in Collingwood. What is your job here?
A: I’m a project co-ordinator.
I came out of school with a Bachelors of Science. I help with internal and external co-ordination, data analysis and presentations. I do a little bit of everything on a spectrum of projects.
Q: What was it about science that made it jump out at you as something you wanted to pursue in post-secondary?
A: In Grade 11, I did an environmental science course and I really enjoyed it. The next year, I did earth and space science. I found these different electives fascinating. I decided it was something worth pursuing.
I didn’t really have any idea what I wanted to do after school at that point, I just found the subject itself interesting. I went to McMaster University.
Q: What brought you back to Collingwood?
A: Out of school, I applied for jobs but I didn’t find anything right away. When I was in school, I worked at Blue Mountain over the summers, and I kept working there for a year after school was over.
It ended up being a bit of luck. I worked with someone whose spouse worked at Greenland, and recommended the company to me.
I applied and they hired me as an intern in 2018. They hired me permanently after that.
Q: You were recently given the 2024 Young Pros award from Stormwater Solutions. What is the award?
A: Stormwater Solutions is an online magazine that produces articles related to stormwater flooding. Every year, they recognize five to 10 younger professionals in the stormwater industry.
They put out a call for nominations, and from there they pick the standouts. I applied. I put forward a few specific projects. In Collingwood, we had our SMART stormwater project, where we were looking at smart technologies to reduce flooding in town. I did the data analysis for that project. I was also involved in an advanced sedimentation project in Innisfil, where we were assessing technologies to help prevent sediments from exiting stormwater ponds to protect aquatic life downstream.
Trying to find new and innovative technologies to help with stormwater management is really interesting. It’s something Greenland finds very important, and is very involved with.
I think it’s the way forward.
Q: How did you feel when you found out you won?
A: I was a little surprised. It’s for both Canada and the U.S.
I didn’t really consider what I’m doing all that extraordinary. I never think about what I’m doing as going above and beyond until I looked at it from an outside point of view.
I was very honoured. Sometimes people go through their lives doing their job and don’t think it’s that incredible until someone points it out to them.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I love hiking. I’m very fortunate that we’re close to the Bruce Trail. I enjoy reading, painting and wood burning as well.
Q: What does the future hold for you?
A: I’d like to work more in project management as I gain more experience. I’m looking more toward newer innovative ways of doing stormwater management.
It can be a little challenging when it’s something new. Being able to help prove that these methods work and finding funding sources to help do so.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like people in Collingwood to know about you?
A: I’m always around. Say hi!
For our feature People of Collingwood, we speak with interesting people who are either from or are contributing to the Collingwood community in some way, letting them tell their own stories in their own words. This feature runs on CollingwoodToday every weekend. If you’d like to nominate or suggest someone to be featured in People of Collingwood, email [email protected].
