Jennifer Kinzer

With more than 20 years in the construction industry and a portfolio that includes some of Edmonton’s most recognizable infrastructure, Jennifer Kinzer (Construction Engineering Technology ‘03) has built a career defined by technical excellence, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to strengthening the construction community. A proud graduate of NAIT’s Construction Engineering Technology program, Jennifer, a Project Manager at PCL Construction, is known for her expertise in preconstruction, stakeholder coordination, and delivering complex projects that shape the region’s urban landscape. Her work spans major builds such as Rogers Place, the Kaye Edmonton Clinic, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, and the ongoing Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion—projects that have become central to Edmonton’s growth and identity.  

Building major projects with precision and collaboration 

Jennifer’s career began with a strong technical foundation from NAIT, giving her the confidence to step quickly into industry roles that required both detail‑oriented planning and real‑time decision‑making. With nearly two decades of project management experience, she is used to leading teams in fast‑paced and high‑stakes construction environments. Her work on Rogers Place stands out as a defining achievement—an intensely scheduled, high‑visibility project delivered with no room for delays. The scale, speed, and scrutiny created enormous pressure, but Jennifer’s coordination skills and steady leadership helped ensure the project opened on time, transforming the city’s downtown and becoming a career milestone, which she still considers one of her most memorable accomplishments. 

Today, Jennifer continues to shape essential infrastructure, including the Yellowhead Trail – St. Albert Trail to 97 Street project. Having worked on the preconstruction and construction phases, she sees this development as both a technical milestone and a personal one—an opportunity to help build the city she grew up in, on the road she has driven most of her life. Her work across healthcare, transportation, education, and recreation facilities reflects a career grounded in community impact and long‑term value for Edmonton residents. 

A leader supporting women in construction and the next generation of technologists 

Jennifer is also a dedicated advocate for women in the construction field. She participates in Women in Construction events, speaks on panels, mentors early‑career engineers and technologists, and helps create spaces where women’s contributions are recognized and supported. Her mentees describe her as generous with her time and honest about the realities of navigating a traditionally male‑dominated industry—guidance that has shaped careers and expanded representation across the field. 

Her connection to NAIT is equally strong. Jennifer serves on the Construction Engineering Technology Program Advisory Committee, regularly participates in industry nights and class presentations, helps organize a team for the annual bridge building competition, contributes to project reviews, and organizes site tours to help students experience real‑world construction environments. She sees this work as a way to give back to the institution that gave her her start, and as a responsibility to the next generation of builders. 

Jennifer’s career reflects the highest standards of her profession—technical mastery, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to building both structures and people. Her influence on Edmonton’s skyline and construction community makes her a deserving recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. 

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Distinguished Alumni Award 

The Distinguished Alumni Award is a lifetime achievement award recognizing individuals renowned for their leadership roles, industry expertise and merit.

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More 2026 NAIT Celebrates Recipients

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