The two Principals jointly agree on assignment of projects between them based on their individual areas of experience and workload, and the alternate Principal remains involved and familiar with the project to serve as a back-up resource. As Principal-in Charge for a project, Heather is responsible to select the appropriate sub-consultant firms; determine project schedule and staff resources required to complete the project; determine Team fees, submit a proposal to the Owner; execute the contract with the Owner; lead the office and consultant team in development of the design; review the project for compliance to codes and by-laws; liaise with the Owner, the other consultants, the authorities having jurisdiction, and the builder; and generally ensure that the project is completed on-time, on budget, and to the Owner’s satisfaction.

Depending on the project size and complexity, the Principal-In-Charge may delegate the roles of Project Manager/Project Architect/Production Manager/Construction Manager to other staff members, however, the Principal-In-Charge remains closely involved in all projects at all stages, and is always involved in decisions affecting cost, schedule, quality, or health & safety aspects of the building code. When serving as Project Manager, the Principal-In-Charge is the principal contact for all project matters during design and construction documents, attends all meetings, writes all reports and correspondence, coordinates the work with the client, user groups, authorities having jurisdiction, and consultants, prepares the designs, reviews the applicable codes and regulations, supervises the production staff, and maintains the schedule. During construction, she continues to play a prominent role by working with our Construction Manager and attending key meetings, visiting the site, reviewing all important correspondence, making decisions on any changes, and reviewing progress payments.

For all of the firm's projects, Heather also leads the Sustainable Design Team. Environmental stewardship is one of the most important issues of our day, and as architects, we have a prominent influence on societal direction in this regard. Heather has chosen to take the lead in this issue by pursuing advanced education and training in Green Design and was one of the first architects in Eastern Ontario to receive LEED accreditation (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design). Because all levels of government have recognized the importance of Green Design, Heather’s training has led to CKA becoming involved in several large government projects with a Green focus.

Heather's work has encompassed many building types, including multi-family residential buildings, dormitories, shelters, offices, retail spaces, churches, institutional care facilities (seniors complexes), and industrial buildings, with a particular emphasis on educational facilities. She has been the Project Architect on more than one hundred school projects, including elementary, secondary, college & university facilities, and this significant experience has meant that we have long-standing relationships with all of the regional school boards, with numerous projects active at any given time.

As part of her continuing education, Heather has focused on training in business management and code training to ensure that CKA remains at the forefront in business and professional practice management. This has ensured that our business remains competitive and successful in an increasingly complex building process.

Heather is a qualified and registered designer with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing for all building types.

Heather is a member and Past-President of the Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston, serving as the region’s first woman president. She is regularly involved in fundraising projects for numerous community services, as well as supporting the Club's International Projects. She has been particularly involved in the Club’s youth exchange program, welcoming into her home international students from France, Venezuela, India, Ecuador, Italy and Brazil. Her own children have also participated, with her son living in New Zealand in 2003, and her daughter living in Slovakia in 2007.

Heather has been a member of the Kingston Women’s Network since 1999, actively involved in promoting and furthering leadership amongst Women in Business, and most recently serving on the program committee.

Heather is a member and Past-Chair of the St. Lawrence Valley Society of Architects, a volunteer society devoted to furthering recognition and appreciation of architecture in the community.

In 2006, Heather received a Paul Harris Fellow Award for her distinguished community service.

Heather’s contribution to the Kingston area has previously been featured in Kingston Life magazine (Spring 2006).

In 2006, Heather was selected and featured as Kingston Business Woman of The Year by the Kingston Whig-Standard newspaper and the local business community.