From the rugged mountains of Iran to the bustling cities of Ontario, Carl Bodimeade and Leila Jafari’s engineering stories are woven together by their connection to the Karun Dam and their current careers at Hatch.
Carl, who serves as Senior VP at Hatch and is originally from the UK, worked on the Karun Dam project in Iran early in his career. “As part of my overseas work, I worked on the Karun Dam, which is on the Khusestan River in the southwest of Iran,” he explains. “It’s a 200-meter high dam in very mountainous terrain with a 2000-megawatt powerhouse. The purpose of the dam is power generation, flood control, and irrigation. Seeing that as a young engineer was quite an experience.”
This project was not only technically challenging but also logistically demanding. “When we were doing the geotechnical investigations, we had to move the drill rigs around by helicopter,” Carl recalls. “But during the Iran-Iraq war, helicopters were unavailable, so we had to break down the drill rig into parts and manually transport it to the top of the mountain. It was a very challenging site, but very rewarding.”
Leila’s connection to the Karun Dam came years later as an engineering student in Iran. “I got my inspiration from the very same dam,” she says. “As part of an educational field trip, our professor took us to see the dam. I was stunned by the height and scale of it. It was almost jaw-dropping for me as a young student. I decided then that I wanted to work for the company that designed it, which was Hatch.”
Prior to encountering the Karun dam, Leila’s engineering aspirations were influenced by her father, who was also an engineer. “My father brought work home and had us help with calculations,” she remembers. “I wanted to be like my dad. I was good at solving problems and meeting new people, which led me to engineering.”
After completing her studies at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz with a B.A.Sc. in Civil Engineering and then working for several years thereafter, Leila moved to Canada to continue her engineering career.
“When I came to Canada, I faced the challenge of understanding the work culture here,” she says. “The technical skills are the same, but the culture and teamwork are different. OSPE helped bridge that gap, providing opportunities for networking and mentorship.”
Both Carl and Leila found their professional homes at Hatch, a global engineering, project management, and professional services firm. “Hatch has been instrumental in our careers,” says Carl, who holds an M.Sc. in Soil Mechanics from Imperial College, London and a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Engineering Geology Newcastle University. “I moved to Canada and worked in Alberta before settling in Ontario with Hatch. My roles have varied from geotechnical to municipal water and wastewater engineering, and now strategy and business development across multiple sectors.”
Leila echoes Carl’s sentiments about Hatch. “Working at Hatch was a dream come true,” she says. “I faced challenges, such as gaining Canadian work experience, but Hatch and OSPE provided the support I needed. Being selected as one of the best mentors at Hatch was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.”
Their work at Hatch often intersects with their past experiences. Carl, with his vast expertise in geotechnical and environmental engineering, and Leila, with her focus on project management and mentorship, both bring unique perspectives to their roles. “Our experiences in Iran, particularly with the Karun Dam, have shaped our engineering philosophies,” Carl notes. “The challenges we faced there taught us resilience and innovative problem-solving.”
Leila adds, “The Karun Dam project inspired me to pursue engineering, and now at Hatch, I can contribute to projects that have a lasting impact. It’s fulfilling to work on projects that not only solve technical problems but also improve communities.”
Their involvement with the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) has been a critical part of their professional development. “OSPE has been essential for networking and professional growth,” says Leila. “Through OSPE, I found mentors who helped me navigate the Canadian engineering landscape. Now, I give back by mentoring others, helping them integrate into the workforce.”
Both Carl and Leila emphasize the importance of professional networks and mentorship. “Networking is crucial in engineering,” Carl notes. “Through OSPE and Hatch, we have been able to build strong professional networks that have supported our career growth and development.”
Their work at Hatch allows them to leverage their diverse experiences and skills. Carl’s expertise in geotechnical and environmental engineering and Leila’s focus on project management and mentorship make them valuable assets to the firm. “Our work at Hatch often brings together our past experiences and current roles,” Carl says. “The projects we work on have a significant impact on communities, and it’s fulfilling to contribute to these projects.”
“Engineering is about solving problems and overcoming challenges,” Carl adds. “Our experiences in Iran, particularly with the Karun Dam, taught us valuable lessons that we apply to our work today.”
Leila says she always strives to pass on her experience through project management and mentorship. “Project management requires a balance of technical skills and interpersonal skills,” she explains. “Mentoring others is also a big part of my role. Helping new engineers integrate into the workforce and navigate their careers is something I am passionate about.”
“Engineering is about solving problems and overcoming challenges,” Carl notes. “Our experiences in Iran, particularly with the Karun Dam, taught us valuable lessons that we apply to our work today.”
Leila adds, “The Karun Dam project was a turning point for me. It inspired me to pursue a career in engineering, and now at Hatch, I can contribute to projects that have a lasting impact. It’s fulfilling to work on projects that improve communities and make a difference.”
Their stories are a testament to how early career experiences and challenges shape resilient, innovative engineers who continue to contribute significantly to their fields. At Hatch, they continue to build on their legacies, working on projects that matter while mentoring the next generation of engineers.
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