Cheryl Nelms

2024 WIN Outstanding Leader Winner

Cheryl Nelms is the General Manager, Project Delivery for Metro Vancouver. She oversees a portfolio of major infrastructure projects worth over $6 billion for BC’s most populated regional district, serving 21 municipalities, one Electoral Area and one Treaty First Nation. Previously, Cheryl was the Deputy General Manager of Engineering Services at the City of Vancouver, a department of 2,200 employees, and oversaw $800 million in annual budgets.

Cheryl is an accomplished leader and professional engineer with over 25 years of experience, including senior executive roles in the federal government. She has completed a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Project Management) and has a proven track record in project and financial management, leading strategic transformation initiatives, and world class operations in large professional organizations. Cheryl has deep experience in the implementation of major infrastructure projects, especially public private partnerships. She has demonstrated leadership in collaborating with industry, academia and across government and negotiating complex agreements. Cheryl is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia, and is a frequently sought-after expert and speaker at conferences and inter-government committees of national interest.