Stantec’s Stu Lerner appointed to ACE National Board of Directors

Stu Lerner, North American chief operating officer for global design firm Stantec; has joined the national board of directors for the ACE Mentor Program, a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to creating interest  among students in architecture, construction, and engineering careers through mentoring. Within his role, Lerner will work with fellow board members to support the organization and its varying regionalized programs which positively impact more than 10,000 students annually.

“I’m inspired by the tangible impact that the ACE program has on our industry – it’s meaningful and critical in ensuring we bring the best and brightest future leaders into our field that genuinely reflect the communities we serve,“ said Lerner.

The ACE program has built relationships with colleges and universities across the US that seek to invest in mentored students. With a steadfast academic and career-driven focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), the organization has two primary goals:

• Create a large, diverse, better prepared workforce for our industry
• Assist and guide students as they proceed along their pathways to opportunities in our industry.

Continuing a Company Commitment
As an organization, Stantec has been an ACE Mentor Program participant for more than a decade, with 100-plus registered mentors throughout the United States. The organization recently refocused its partnership and ongoing engagement with ACE to include a $50,000 contribution towards scholarships for ACE students. Stantec’s leadership also shares a mutual interest with ACE in their advocacy for the promotion of inclusion and diversity in the industry, with 69 percent of ACE participants coming from minority communities and 33 percent are female.

About the ACE Mentor Program
Founded in 1994, ACE, which stands for Architecture, Construction and Engineering, works to engage, excite and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering and construction through mentoring and to support their continued advancement in the industry. The main objective is to work with underrepresented students that do not have the guidance and support to help them uncover opportunities for their future. Volunteer industry professionals mentor students and lead them through a hands-on simulation of designing and constructing buildings. 

By the Numbers

• ACE currently operates in 77 affiliates covering 36 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and in more than 200 cities.
• Over 10,000 students and about 4,100 mentors each year.
• ACE has awarded more than $21 million in scholarships to students.
• ACE Mentor firms have contributed more than $17.5 million worth of pro bono time.  
• 92% of ACE graduates enroll in higher education and two-thirds enter majors linked to the design and construction industry.
• Students come from over 1,100 high schools and 2/3 come from underserved or minority communities.
• Almost 70% of students are minorities and one-third are young women.

About Stantec
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.

We care about the communities we serve—because they're our communities too. This allows us to assess what's needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what's never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success.

We're designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.

Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.

Media Contact
Danny Craig
Stantec Media Relations
Ph: (949) 632-6319
danny.craig@stantec.com