about us

Who We Are

We help Project Executives find fit for purpose engineering and design solutions by working with people they know and trust.

At Giffen Consulting Ltd, we value relationships above all else – within our team and with our clients. Our team is held to the highest level of accountability to ensure we provide tailored solutions to successfully execute our client’s projects.

We believe that open communication, is the key to fostering reliable and lasting relationships within our company and with those who we conduct business with.

Corporate

Joel has 15 years of international experience developing, leading and managing comprehensive projects of all levels in the mining, utility, wastewater and heavy industrial sectors. His versatility and strong attention to detail in handling a large variety of design, engineering, and systems challenges has led to numerous project successes. Prior to founding Giffen Consulting in 2017, he worked as a Design Lead at NORAM Engineering and at Hatch, where he had the opportunity to work around the globe and forge some of his most valued relationships with clients. Valuing these relationships, Joel has grown Giffen into a boutique consultancy that continues to provide tailored solutions for its clients.

Joel Giffen, ASct
OWNER
Experience 10+ Years

Kim brings more than 5 years of experience in marketing, communications, business and operations management and NI 43-101 report technical editing. Kim is a results driven individual, whose work ethic, commitment to her team, and strong sense of loyalty allows her implement strategy, promote the business and ensure the company is communicating the right messaging to attract prospective customers and retain existing ones.

Kim Doerksen
MARKETING MANAGER
Experience 5+ Years

Tania is an engineering drafting technologist with five years experience in the oil and gas industry. She brings a unique perspective of engineering knowledge, and collaborative project experience to manage and support daily operations. Tania manages all operations and administration responsibilities on a daily basis for Giffen Consulting Ltd. She specializes in bookkeeping and accounting, reporting, and maintaining a positive and open-minded work environment.

Tania Donahoe
OFFICE MANAGER
Experience 5+ Years

Engineering

Andrew specializes in civil and structural engineering with over 10 years experience in mining, oil and gas, municipal, land development, earthworks, and water management. He has worked on small to large scale multidisciplinary engineering projects where he has provided technical support to project and procurement teams to ensure project performance, schedule and budget requirements are met. Andrew has experience in managing cost, quality, stakeholder expectations, risks, resources, scheduling and contracts. Andrew is a registered Professional Engineer with Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (EGBC) and NWT and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG).

Andrew Ablenas, P.Eng., PMP
PROJECT ENGINEER
Experience 10+ Years

Behzad is a senior civil & structural engineer with over 30 years of industry experience. Throughout his career he has worked in a variety of project and functional management roles across a multitude of sectors including mining, oil and gas, wastewater, municipal and chemicals. Behzad has extensive experience leading muti-discipline teams, design-build project teams and technical study teams. He is well-versed on a global scale, working on projects in Canada, Peru, USA, South America and Africa in both field and office-based settings.

Behzad Haghighi, M.Sc., P.Eng., PMP
SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER
Experience 30+ Years

Greg has over 40 years of international experience as a senior structural engineer focusing on design and construction support in mining, forestry, power, nuclear and petrochemical projects. His expertise lies in structural analysis and design of heavy industrial superstructures, material handling systems, equipment supports, vessels, pipe racks, foundations, piles and retaining walls. He is well-versed in seismic and dynamic applications. Greg is highly proficient in cold region engineering having worked throughout Canada and the USA. Greg is a registered Professional Engineer with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO).

Greg Bienias, P.Eng.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Experience 40+ Years

Greg Bienias, P.Eng.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Experience +40 Years

Jade is a mechanical engineer with over seven years of experience in the design, construction, commissioning, maintenance and upgrading of mechanical piping and equipment systems. She has experience on mining, metallurgical plant and infrastructure projects in both field- and office-based settings. Jade is adept at utilizing project management principles to deliver engineering projects while maintaining budget, schedule and quality requirements. Jade is a registered Professional Engineer with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (EGBC).

Jade Xiao, P.Eng.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Experience +7 Years

Kelly is a metallurgist and process design engineer with 35 years of experience in metallurgy, operational support, design and project management of mineral processing facilities for gold, silver, copper, molybdenum, coal, rare earths, zinc and lead projects. Her expertise includes all aspects of test work and flowsheet development including plant design and capital and operating costs for input into economic models. Kelly as been the Qualified Person (QP) for all projects ranging from PEA to Bankable Feasibility Studies for Metallurgy and Recovery Methods Sections of the NI 43-101 reports. Kelly is a registered Professional Engineer with Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (EGBC).

Kelly McLeod, P.Eng.
PROCESS ENGINEER
Experience +35 Years

Jade Xiao, P.Eng.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Experience 5+ Years

Kelly McLeod, P.Eng.
PROCESS ENGINEER
Experience 35+ Years

Wilhelm is a Process Engineer with 10+ years of experience in business and data analysis, value engineering, costing, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project management. He possesses strong analytical and technical skills and has extensive knowledge of business and project management. Wilhelm's ability to effectively communicate technical ideas and concepts to a diverse audience and align his analysis with business and project objectives is beneficial when building relationships with clients. He is experienced in managing capital projects and providing project consultation on mine sites. Wilhelm is a registered Professional Engineer with the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (EGBC).

Wilhelm Tse, P.Eng.
PROCESS ENGINEER
Experience 10+ Years

Design

Francis is a senior piping designer with over 30 years of experience specializing in piping and design in the mining, oil and gas industries. He has led the design of various scaled projects from conceptual to detailed engineering. Francis has extensive experience using MicroStation and PDS Systems, 3D AutoPLANT XM, ProCAD 3DSMART, AutoCAD 3D, PLant3D and CADWorx piping software.

Francis Ishak
PIPING DESIGNER
Experience 30+ Years

Hil is a senior mechanical designer with over 20 years of experience in chemical plant layout, process piping and equipment design. He his able to work with unpredictable, loosely defined and open-ended problems; this flexibility is advantageous for ever-changing projects and environments. Hil is highly proficient with AutoCAD, and skilled in 3D computer modelling using SolidWorks.

Hil Matthew-Fyfe
MECHANICAL DESIGNER
Experience 20+ Years

James is a piping designer and mechanical layout specialist with over 15 years of experience in the mining and metals, oil and gas, pulp and paper, petrochemical, and water treatment sectors. He has successfully delivered integrated engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction solutions to clients globally. James' local and international experience is highlighted by his extensive work executing projects safely, on budget and on schedule.

James Garn
SENIOR DESIGNER
Experience 15+ Years

Kevin has over 19 years of experience leading, designing and drafting projects in the mining and heavy industrial industries. He has led large scale projects, where his skills in the communication, documentation, team selection, organization and scheduling requirements ensure success. He is an expert in the design of flowsheets and P&IDs, mechanical and piping 3D modeling, development of mechanical details, and general arrangements production and has a strong Project Automation Technology background for 3D software administration. Kevin has been exposed to a multitude of global in a variety of studies from desktop studies, all the way through to feasibility study NI 43-101 technical reports.

Kevin Major, ASct
SENIOR DESIGNER
Experience 15+ Years

Lisa brings 35+ years of experience in design, supervision and coordination for the production of layout, general arrangement and detail drawings. Her extensive experience has primarily focused on green and brown field mineral processing plants, from conceptual design through to construction assistance. Lisa is skilled in the preparation, review and handling of project specifications. Throughout her career, Lisa has been responsible for multi-discipline design coordination of projects across multiple offices. Most notably, Lisa created and managed the development and implementation of CADD standards, including production of a standards manual, and of the global 3D mechanical equipment and layout libraries.

Lisa Rolandi
LAYOUT SME
Experience 35+ Years

Nancy is a senior mechanical designer with more than 35 years of drafting experience specializing in mining, oil and gas, and wastewater treatment facilities. She is highly proficient in AutoCAD, in both 2D and 3D CAD applications, Plant3D, 3D Mechanical, Inventor and CADWorx Piping Software, Smart P&ID Configuration and Project Setup for preparing mechanical drawings or assembling 3D Equipment Layout models. Nancy has worked on a wide range of projects handling various resources located all over North America and Mexico.

Nancy Perkins
SENIOR DESIGNER
Experience 35+ Years

Francis Ishak
PIPING DESIGNER
Experience +30 Years

Hil Matthew-Fyfe
MECHANICAL DESIGNER
Experience +20 Years

James Garn
SENIOR DESIGNER
Experience +15 Years

Kevin Major, ASct
SENIOR DESIGNER
Experience +19 Years

Lisa Rolandi
LAYOUT SME
Experience +35 Years

Nancy Perkins
SENIOR DESIGNER
Experience +35 Years

Reece is an engineering design professional with 9 years of experience in the mechanical, industrial and utility industries. He is efficient in handling multiple projects simultaneously while producing high-quality technical drawings and 3D models using industry standard software such as AutoCAD 2D & 3D. Reece leads our utility drafting department.

Reece Bryan
SENIOR DESIGNER
Experience 5+ Years

Reubien is a mechanical engineering technologist with over 11 years of experience leading and designing comprehensive projects in the mining and mineral resource industry. He has worked in coordinating and designer roles in a variety of multidisciplined projects all throughout North America. As lead designer, Reubien demonstrates strong leadership, organization, communication, as well as detailed design and productions of 3D models, arrangements, and drawings. Reubien's technical experience focuses on MicroStation, PSDS, OpenPlant, Plant3D and AutoCAD software.

Reubien Kular
DESIGN LEAD
Experience 10+ Years

Thomas is a mechanical and process piping designer with over 20 years of experience with AutoCAD and Navisworks programs, creating bill of materials P&IDs, plant layouts, piping layouts, and 3D models. He has experience working in small to large scale projects with a wide range of processes. Thomas is extremely accurate and professional with excellent communication skills that he uses to build positive relationships with clients to ensure all requests are met and executed for optimal project results. His extensive experience in design keeps priority on creating and maintaining templates, standard options procedures, CAD standards and specifications.

Thomas Storzuk
PIPING DESIGNER
Experience 20+ Years

Project Controls

Craig is a professional engineer with 20 years of experience in project and risk management. He facilitates qualitative risk assessments, evaluates cause and consequences, identifies controls and indicators and control effectiveness. Craig has led and managed projects ranging in value from millions to billions of dollars. He focuses on cost management, scheduling, scope management, and progress management, while preparing overall project execution planning for every stage. Craig facilitates value improvement and opportunity development processes that identifies, analyzes and prioritizes potential opportunities in projects and/or operations.

Craig Rice, PhD, P.Eng., PMP
PROJECT CONTROLS & SCHEDULER
Experience 20+ Years

Kelly is a geologist (P.Geo.) with 10+ years of experience in the junior exploration and mining consulting industries. She has worked as Chief Geologist in the Yukon managing all field operations / drill programs to advance the project to PFS-level. Transitioning to consulting, Kelly worked as a Permitting Specialist / Financial Analyst where she gained a holistic understanding of the integral factors for project development. She has built economic cash flow models for over 100 studies up to FS-level to support NI 43-101 TRs. Kelly played a key role as PCM for Goldcorp’s Coffee Project as it advanced through the YESAB Permitting Process and Detailed Engineering prior to the acquisition by Newmont.

Kelly Bateman, P.Geo
PROJECT CONTROLS
Experience 10+ Years

Sean is a professional quantity surveyor and applied science technologist with over 14 years of mining, industrial and commercial experience. He specializes in quantity surveying, estimating, cost control, scheduling and project and construction coordinating. He has global experience in large mining and infrastructure projects for several Tier 1 companies from the concept stage to feasibility level and onto construction. Sean has strong communication skills and focuses on creating and maintaining business relationships with all clients, trades and contractors allowing him to have a rapport with every level of personnel on a project.

Sean Meldrum, PQS, AScT
PROJECT CONTROLS & COST ESTIMATOR
Experience 10+ Years

Want To Work With Us?

We’re always interested in discussing new projects and connecting with other teams in the industry.