Discover the vision behind CIMA+’s Buildings sector in our conversation with Ali Nazari, Partner, National Growth & Strategy. From pioneering Canada’s most ambitious sustainable design projects to uniting high-performing teams nationwide, Ali shares how collaboration, innovation, and mentorship shape his leadership and how CIMA+ is redefining the future of building engineering across the country.
Ali Nazari P.Eng., M.A.Sc.
Partner/Executive Director, National Growth & Strategy, Buildings
What excites you most about joining CIMA+ and contributing to the growth of the Buildings sector across Canada?
I am excited to work with talented people in a culture that values collaboration and success. CIMA+ has the expertise and national reach to shape the future of building engineering in Canada. What energizes me most is partnering with our teams and clients to bring technical excellence and innovation together, so we deliver real results for people and places.
How has your journey from founding your own consultancy to leading national transformations shaped the way you lead today?
Building a firm from the ground up taught me how to execute, take ownership, and stay accountable. Leading nationwide improvements in operations, market strategy, and project delivery across multiple offices showed me how powerful a clear vision can be when everyone is aligned. I lead by inspiring a shared vision, empowering people with ownership and resources, and creating an environment where they can grow and succeed.
What are the biggest opportunities for CIMA+ in Buildings over the next few years?
There is a major opportunity to rethink how we design and deliver buildings so that sustainability, performance, and long-term value move forward together. Clients want solutions that are resilient, efficient, and ready for the future. With deep technical bench strength and a culture that supports new ideas, CIMA+ is well placed to lead this evolution across Canada.
How do you define a successful project, and what role do collaboration and innovation play?
A successful project delivers clear value for the client and for the people who will use the space. It performs as intended, stands up over time, and reflects a shared vision established from the start. Collaboration keeps teams aligned and engaged, while innovation helps us find smarter, faster, and more effective ways to achieve the outcomes that matter.
What sets the CIMA+ Buildings team apart in the industry?
Our people and our culture. The team blends strong technical expertise with creativity and a genuine sense of ownership. Clients notice how we work together, how we communicate, and how we stand behind our work from the first conversation to the final handover. That is where CIMA+ is unique in engineering consulting.
What has been the most meaningful moment in your career, and how does it guide your goals at CIMA+?
Leading the sustainability effort for Canada’s first commercial Living Building Challenge project as well as Vancouver’s first LEED Platinum office were important milestones in my career. Equally important was building a practice from scratch and later unifying teams in several regions around shared goals and a consistent way of working that lifted operations, sharpened strategy, and raised delivery quality. Becoming an Adjunct Professor at UBC and helping nurture the next generation of leaders has also been a highlight. These experiences shape my goal at CIMA+: to amplify our people, elevate our engineering, and set new benchmarks for the industry.
How will technology and new approaches shape the future of sustainable design and building performance?
Technology is changing how we design. Teams can now explore a wide range of scenarios early in the process, quantify trade-offs, and make informed choices with confidence. By using these capabilities, we improve efficiency, strengthen collaboration, and align performance with financial goals so projects deliver greater value from the very beginning.
What is your vision for the difference CIMA+ can make through its Buildings projects?
Every project should show what great engineering can do. Whether it’s a school, hospital, office, airport, or community space, the result should demonstrate innovation, high performance, and sustainability. With our multidisciplinary teams and strong delivery culture, CIMA+ can create a lasting legacy of engineering excellence across Canada.
How do you inspire and empower your teams to reach their full potential?
I focus on clarity, trust, open communication, and real growth pathways. That means aligning people around a shared vision, offering stretch roles, coaching with timely feedback, removing roadblocks, and recognizing wins. Mentorship is central to how I lead, and I take pride in supporting people as they grow into confident leaders.
Outside of work, what inspires and recharges you?
Time with family and friends keeps me grounded. I recharge by traveling and spending time outdoors, which brings a fresh perspective and balance. Teaching and mentoring also energize me. I continue to invest in my own growth through programs at Stanford, Columbia, and Landmark, which shape how I lead with care, clarity, and collaboration.