Mohammad describes getting expelled from school as a major turning point in his life. The new teacher changed the trajectory of his educational path and future career for the better. Studies in mechanical engineering, energy conversion, and applied science ignited a new passion that would become the foundation for his career in its early days. 

Graduating with a PhD though isn’t a guarantee of immediate employment; Mohammad discovered he was “over-qualified” for a lot of private sector positions and took work as an assistant instructor at BCIT. There, he met someone in the building science department who introduced him to the growing interest in the relationship between climate change and building performance. He took jobs with smaller firms, including one where he started an energy efficiency division that would become very successful. And then it was a chance meeting with a few RJCers at a training session in Winnipeg that would lead him to where he is today—leader of the Building Performance Group he helped create.

Mohammad and his team offer energy modeling, air tightness testing, and lifecycle assessment services. He believes their early successes are driven by the fact they share a purpose—a goal to help reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment. It’s personally rewarding and impactful on the world at large to help design buildings to be low emission, from the materials used in construction to the mechanical systems to the building enclosure assemblies. Saving the planet for the next generation by mitigating the impact of climate change might seem like a lofty goal for a team of seven, but it’s what drives Mohammad and his team every day. 

It wouldn’t be possible without sound leadership, and that is something he also takes very seriously. His education and experience in mechanical engineering, building science, and structural engineering are the right holistic combination for the job. And he’s supplementing that knowledge and expertise by continuing his studies in effective leadership. Mohammad spends a lot of his personal time watching education videos and reading books related to leadership. His goal is to inspire the team to be passionate about sustainability and motivated to use their collective resources to make a real difference. 

He wants young professionals entering the field to be curious. Learning from colleagues and mentors is important, but he also knows from first-hand experience the real value of self-motivation in seeking out as much information as possible on those topics that interest you. It’s that kind of commitment to ongoing education that will help the team thrive as they collectively work to expand this important division for RJC, incorporating climate-smart strategies and approaches in all practice areas.