New Canada Council Member from Accuracy

We are excited to welcome Melissa Di Marco PhD., MSc, Associée / Partner at Accuracy, as the newest member of the IPFA Canada Council.

We asked Melissa a few questions to get to know her a little better:

IPFA: If you could personally change or influence one thing within infrastructure and/or energy, what would it be?

Melissa: I would drive a shift in how we measure value and success in infrastructure projects. Too often, we default to short-term cost efficiency and delivery speed. I believe we need to recalibrate toward long-term resilience, social impact, and sustainability. This includes integrating lifecycle thinking earlier in the project pipeline and aligning procurement models to reward outcomes—not just inputs. In practice, that means bringing project controls, community engagement, and climate adaptation to the forefront from the start.

 IPFA: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give yourself at the start of your career?

Melissa: I would remind myself that leadership is not about fitting in but about bringing your full perspective to the table—even when it challenges the status quo. Early in my career, I underestimated the value of my voice in a room where I was often the only one who looked or thought differently. I’ve since learned that this difference is an asset. I would also advise myself to be intentional about building relationships across the industry. Success in infrastructure is as much about collaboration and trust as it is about technical excellence.

IPFA: What do you hope to bring to the Canadian Council?

Melissa: I bring a unique combination of practical experience across major capital programs and a strategic, forward-looking mindset. I’m a connector—between legal, financial, and technical disciplines; between generations of professionals; and between traditional infrastructure models and the innovation we need to meet today’s challenges. I hope to contribute by helping the Council shape conversations on project delivery models, financing approaches, and talent development—and by championing more inclusive and purpose-driven leadership across the sector.