Early Career to Expert: Meet Justin Lennon

When I started, we were employee-owned and about 10,000 people globally. Since then, through acquisitions — first by Balfour Beatty and eventually becoming WSP — it’s been a steady evolution. Nothing changed overnight, but things have shifted gradually as we’ve grown into who we are today.

What’s been consistent, and what I still really value, is our commitment to technical excellence. Programs like the National Technical Excellence Program, which I’m now part of as a technical fellow, have roots in Parsons Brinckerhoff but have also been shaped by the cultures of other acquired firms. It’s been interesting to see how all those legacies come together. I think what’s stayed the same is just as important as what’s changed.

What does technical excellence at WSP mean to you?

For me, it’s twofold. First, it’s about developing our people and helping them grow their technical skills, guiding them along the way and setting them up to become true experts. Then, once they get there, it’s about recognizing that expertise and giving them a platform to make an impact on major projects and on the next generation of staff.

One thing I tell the people I mentor is to think about their personal brand and how they can grow within WSP’s deep bench of knowledge. We’ve got experts in just about everything — you just need to know how to connect the dots. That kind of environment makes WSP a great place to develop technically and build a meaningful career.

I’d tell myself not to get so caught up in comparison. Early on, I often felt threatened when someone new joined the team, especially if they came in at a higher grade or had a similar skill set. I’d wonder, why them and not me? That mindset caused a lot of unnecessary stress.

Over time, I’ve realized it’s not a competition. A rising tide really does lift all boats. Bringing in strong talent isn’t a threat; it’s an opportunity to grow, take on bigger projects and strengthen the team. If I’d embraced that mindset earlier, I think I would’ve enjoyed the journey a bit more and worried a lot less.