Karla Avis-Birch

Karla Avis-Birch is a director and Chief Planning Officer at Metrolinx, since December 2020. Throughout her career, Mrs. Avis-Birch has overseen the construction and completion of countless instrumental infrastructural pieces and has accelerated the delivery of service. As Chief Planning Officer, Mrs. Avis-Birch guides the planning and benefits of the regional transportation network and support practical advancement of the Regional Transportation Plan and evidence-based decision making in the delivery of transit projects.

Work Experience

In her previous role as Vice President, GO Stations Capital Delivery, Mrs. Avis-Birch established Metrolinx’s first Project Controls & Design Standards Office, partnered with Infrastructure Ontario on the procurement of P3 projects, and was accountable for the delivery of transformational GO Expansion programs.

Board and Advisor Roles

Mrs. Avis-Birch was federally appointed by Infrastructure Canada to serve on the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) Board of Directors to oversee the construction of the Gordie Howe bridge.

Accolades

• Alumni of the National Society of Black Engineers of Canada.
• Karla has been featured in the Women of Influence “Meet and Role Model Article.” 
• She was the 2017 and 2018 President of the Women in Infrastructure Network (WTS) Toronto Area Chapter.

Education

Mrs. Avis-Birch earned a Bachelor of Engineering (1998) from Ryerson University. She received her Professional Engineer designation from the Professional Engineers of Ontario in 2001.