Meet The Judges

Andrew Hurd, Executive Director, Association of Consulting Engineering Companies | Ontario

Andrew Hurd serves as Executive Director of the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-Ontario (ACEC-Ontario). He is responsible for the execution of the Board's Strategic Plan, in addition to overall responsibility for the daily operations of the Association and its dedicated staff team. This includes robust engagement with members, stakeholders and allies to further promote and advance the business interests of the Association's members across Ontario.

Prior to joining ACEC-Ontario, Andrew spent several years as Director, Policy and Stakeholder Relations with the Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA). His past experience includes over 12 years with the Government of Ontario in a variety of roles, including senior advisory capacities with the Office of the Premier and the Ministries of Transportation, Indigenous Relations, and Education.

Andrew has also served on numerous external construction-related committees and alliances, including the Construction and Design Alliance of Ontario (CDAO) and the Ontario Construction Careers Alliance (OCCA).

Neal Prabhu, M.Arch, OAA, ARIDO, NCIDQ, LEED AP



Neal Prabhu is a Registered Interior Designer, Licensed Architect, Associate Professor and Co-director of the Toronto based Design Practice nkArchitect. Since 2008 Neal's Architectural and Interior Design work with nkArchitect has been the subject of numerous awards, articles, publications, and exhibitions including recognition from The Design Exchange, Canadian Architect, Canadian Interiors, House and Home, ARIDO, AZURE, Toronto Life, Designlines, Harbourfront Gallery, The National Post, the Toronto Star, and The Globe and Mail. Over 100 Architectural and Interior Design projects designed by the practice have been realized to date. 

Neal actively contributes to the profession by acting on design juries for competitions and awards related to Architecture and Interior Design within Industry and Academia and has represented the Ontario Association of Architects as an expert witness in the field of Architecture at the Provincial level.

Neal is also an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Design at OCAD University, is the Program Coordinator for the Interior Design Specialization Curriculum and sits on several committees at varying levels of governance including Senate and Board of Governors Liaison Committees.

Sandro Perruzza, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE)

Sandro Perruzza is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE).  Sandro is also on the Board of Directors of Minerva Canada, and the Past-Chair of the Construction & Design Alliance of Ontario. He also serves on numerous committees and advisory boards across the country. He has been recognized for the ability to translate complex concepts and situations into unique and practical solutions, which have been implemented in numerous fortune 500 companies, as well as in small and medium sized enterprises. He has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from McMaster University, as well as a Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety from McMaster, and has currently completed the Director's Education Program with the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Prior to joining OSPE, Sandro was the Chief of Client Services at Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, where he was a member of the Ontario Ministry of Labour's Prevention Operations Forum. Sandro lives in Oakville, with his wife and four children, and is actively involved in the community.

Settimo Vilardi, Architect, OAA, M.Arch, BFA, FRAIC

Settimo Vilardi, Architect, OAA, M.Arch, BFA, FRAIC, is President of the governing Council of the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), which regulates the province's architecture profession to protect the public interest. A Windsor-based architect with more than 20 years of experience in residential, institutional, commercial, and civic projects, he is co-owning principal of Archon Architects Incorporated.

Vilardi was first elected OAA President in January 2023, having served as the Association's SVP & Treasurer and VP Practice, and playing integral roles in various activities, including the development of the OAA's five-year strategic plan. He was elected again for a second one-year term in January 2024. Through his formal education in fine arts (University of Windsor) and architecture (University of Toronto), he developed a balanced approach to design that draws from theoretical and practical foundations to yield creative, functional, and thoughtful solutions.

Vilardi takes projects from procurement and preliminary design through to construction documents and completion. His skills range from interior and architectural design, 3D modelling, and construction drawings to project management/administration. Vilardi developed his practice's in-house sustainable design analysis for a client-focused approach to reduce lifecycle costs while engaging in climate action.

A Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, past Prodemnity board director, past chair and treasurer of the Windsor Region Society of Architects, Vilardi is outspoken about the need for better education among the public and architects in determining fair and reasonable fees, and is a subject matter expert and lecturer for the OAA's Fundamentals of Running an Architectural Practice Course.