Keanin Loomis
President & CEO
Keanin was named President and CEO of the CISC in June of 2024. Prior to that, he was VP, Member Services at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Keanin is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and the College of William and Mary School of Law.
He practiced construction litigation in Washington, DC, before moving back to Canada to settle in his wife’s hometown of Hamilton. His first job there was to launch Innovation Factory, Hamilton’s Regional Innovation Centre. In 2013, he was named President & CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, where he completely transformed the historic institution into a relevant and modern force for good in his community, twice being recognized as the top executive in the OCC network. In 2018, Keanin became one of the spokespersons of the Canadian Steel Industry when the US President took aim at Steeltown by imposing tariffs on Canadian steel, appearing regularly on national and international news programs. Keanin sits as a Director on the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority, having been appointed by the Federal Government. He and his wife, Trish, are proudly raising their three children in Hamilton’s Lower City.
Logan Callele, M.Sc.,P.Eng.
Director, Engineering
Logan is the Engineering Director at CISC with over 20 years of industry experience in both structural consulting and steel construction/connection design support from working at McElhanney and Waiward Steel. Logan is located in Kimberley, BC. with the rest of his family and enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and working with diverse membership and staff here at CISC. Logan currently sits on the CSA S16 committee and has contributed to the engineering profession by authoring 8 technical papers in leading professional journals and supporting multiple CISC courses over the years. Logan would love to hear from you if you have ideas on how to improve steel design and construction in Canada!
Rita Rahmati
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Rita is a dynamic public affairs professional with a proven track record in government and stakeholder relations, and strategic communications. A passionate advocate for policy and legislative changes that benefit Canadians, she led the government affairs at Canada’s Building Trades Unions where she secured landmark victories for the construction industry and its workforce. With a consulting background in Ottawa and Toronto, Rita has successfully propelled campaigns for various organizations, amplifying their voices and delivering tangible results. Most recently, she worked in the private sector at Questrade Financial Group, leveraging her expertise to support growth and innovation. Holding a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Political Management from the prestigious Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program Carleton University, Rita is committed to shaping a brighter future for Canadians with her strategic insights and dedication.
Michael Colalillo, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Senior Engineer
Michael is a senior structural engineer at the CISC, where he develops educational material and design aids to support engineers in the safe and efficient design of structural steel in Canada. In addition to his role in education, Michael advocates for the Canadian steel construction industry through his work on the CISC Steel Building Systems committee and his participation in the NRC standing committees on Housing and Small Buildings and Fire Protection. Before joining the CISC, Michael accumulated over a decade of structural design consulting experience, leading and collaborating with other engineers on various new building construction and rehabilitation projects throughout Ontario. He holds a doctorate in structural engineering from the University of Toronto and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Waterloo.
Sarah Majlesi, MSc, P.Eng., PMP
Senior Engineer
Motivated senior cold-formed steel (CFS) engineer dedicated to expanding CFS in construction through education and providing guidance on structural engineering best practices. With a Master’s Degree in civil engineering structures and project management certification, experience in both the CFS producer and structural consulting realms, I thrive on tackling engineering challenges in structural design and coordination of CFS projects and initiatives at CISC!
Michael Masi, Eng., M.Eng.
Senior Structural Engineer
Michael Masi is a licensed Structural Engineer in the province of Quebec with 10 years of industry experience. Having designed a wide range of buildings from high-rise condominium towers to single storey industrial buildings, Michael is currently involved in developing educational material for the CISC with a particular focus on seismic design.
Mandi Augustynski, P.Eng., M. Eng.
Manager, Business Initiatives – Quebec & Atlantic Region
Mandi Augustynski has been the Manager, Business Initiatives – QC and Atlantic for the CISC since 2023. She is the project manager of the CISC sustainability committees and regional committees for Quebec and the Atlantic Region. Mandi is a Structural Engineer with a background in consulting and iron ore resource extraction and processing.
Chris Weckesser, MASc., EIT.
Manager, Business Initiatives – BC, AB, SK
As the Manager of Business Initiatives at the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) for Western Canada, Chris has been supporting growth, engagement, and market share in the steel construction industry for nearly a year. Chris’s role involves managing and executing projects for CISC Region Committees, promoting membership, and collaborating across departments to achieve our goals. Before joining the CISC, Chris worked as a Structural Designer at Entuitive, where he managed diverse structural engineering projects and built strong client relationships. Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta and a Master’s degree from the University of Toronto, which provides a strong technical foundation and innovative solutions.
Sara Nejati
Manager of Business Initiatives for Central Canada (Ontario and Manitoba)
Sara, Manager of Business Initiatives for Central Canada at CISC and Project Manager for the Bridge Committee, brings over 25 years of expertise in structural, bridge design, structural-geotechnical interaction, sequential construction stage modeling and steel structures in seismic zones. Before joining CISC, she served as Lead Structural and Civil Engineer at Nucor.
In her role at CISC/CSSBI, Sara is dedicated to advocating for the Canadian steel construction industry by engaging with diverse members, including fabricators, manufactures, suppliers, engineers, skilled trades, students and educational/research institutions. She fosters collaboration, provides technical resources, and promotes sustainability to strengthen steel’s role in the built environment and driving the industry’s long-term success.
Angelina Li, CPA, CGA, MBA
Accounting Manager
Angelina is the account manager for the CISC, a role which she has held for over 12 years.
Jessica Tounsi
Administrative Assistant/Assistant to the President
Jessica Tounsi joined the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction in 2023, bringing a wealth of experience from a diverse administrative background. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for organizational excellence, Jessica plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of our administrative functions.
Carreen Edwards
Registrar
As a dedicated registrar, I am committed to providing exceptional service to our members. With a strong foundation in sales and operations management, I bring a strategic and results oriented approach. My experience has equipped me with the skills to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and deliver efficient solutions. I look forward to building strong relationships with our valued members.
Marion Tripp, CED, DES
Events Manager
Marion Tripp is a performance-driven, bilingual (English/French) event planning professional with a passion for creating and delivering engaging, cost-effective events for associations, corporations, and business incentives. With a focus on enhancing visibility and promoting organizational goals, she consistently produces high-impact events that align with strategic objectives while ensuring budget efficiency. Marion excels at cultivating strong partnerships with third-party partners and collaborating with internal teams to ensure smooth execution that meets or exceeds expectations. Her project management skills and attention to detail are at the forefront of every event she plans to ensure successful outcomes!
Mitchell Redshaw
Communications Coordinator
Mitchell Redshaw is Communications Coordinator and staff writer at the CISC. A graduate of the University of Ottawa, Mitchell has nearly 10 years of experience in marketing & communications across a range of disciplines, with the past 5 years writing and developing material for the engineering & construction industries.
Anusha Khan
Marketing and Design Coordinator
Anusha Khan is the marketing coordinator at CISC, drawing on her extensive expertise in graphic design for both print and digital media. She specializes in UI/UX and social media management, focusing on enhancing brand identity and user engagement. Anusha manages both the front and back end of the website, creating impactful visuals that align with the organization’s marketing objectives. She collaborates closely with engineers and the business development team to ensure a cohesive strategy and effective execution across all platforms.