Established in 2021 by Jim Harnum, Municipal VU Consulting Inc. is a privately owned management consulting and engineering firm specializing in a range of services specifically customized for municipal clients. Located in Oakville, Ontario, we offer a different kind of consultancy, one that strives to understand our clients’ operations, administration, and political environments before doing anything else, so that we can generate contextual, ground-truthed advice specifically tailored to their needs.
We are a small firm and as we continue growing, our primary strategy is to partner with other industry experts and trusted advisors to create lean, expert, efficient project teams tailored the specific needs of our clients.
MVU strives to deliver meaningful advice — that is both grounded in practical realities of the municipal environment and effectively anticipates issues on the horizon.
Our core services focus on management and engineering consulting for municipalities, often working with strategy, people, assets, and business processes. Recent projects include strategic planning, alternative service models, operational reviews & modernization, organizational planning, infrastructure management, digital automation and transformation, talent management, and climate action planning.
President | CET, MBA
As a former senior member of Public Service, Jim held several management positions including City Manager, Deputy CAO, Commissioner and General Manager. With a natural affinity for leadership, knowledge of business administration and municipal service, and on the strength of this technical experience, Jim has been responsible for all aspects of service delivery in some of Canada’s largest municipalities, including The City of Hamilton, Halton Region, Peel Region, The City of Toronto, and The City of Vaughan.
Jim’s success is attributed to his early experience working his way through the ranks of Public Works operations. From Backhoe Operator to City Manager Jim’s work ethic, practical problem solving, and political savvy have made him a mentor and advisor to his colleagues in senior management, a responsibility he is honoured to continue with Municipal VU Consulting.
Vice-President | P.Eng.
Andrea is a licensed professional engineer in good standing with 32 years of experience contributing to consulting, municipalities, private industry, and all levels of Canadian government, and is a regular contributor in various engineering publications and social platforms.
Her engineering and infrastructure knowledge combined with extensive experience in management systems, auditing, and operations has led to specialties in municipal service analysis, infrastructure planning, strategic planning, and ISO management systems. She has worked with hundreds of clients across Ontario and Canada, bringing an approachability with practical understanding into every group she facilitates and every project to which she contributes.
Jacqueline is a Business Innovation Consultant with 11 years of experience in municipal service. Jackie brings a wealth of expertise in municipal projects and business innovation, and is supported by her PMP, Green Belt certification, and her knowledge in legislation related to municipal services, occupational health and safety, and the environment.
Jackie excels in root cause analysis and navigating complex organizational landscapes, seamlessly integrating strategies, driving efficiency, and fostering innovation to deliver impactful solutions for clients.
Zachary is a Financial Business Consultant with 8 years of experience, with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Queens University. Zachary specializes in financial strategies and asset management, pairing technical, capital, and operating skills in big asset data with strategic experience in levels of service, lifecycle activities, problem-solving, and public consultation. Interpreting, analyzing, and modelling municipal fiscal data are core skills for Zachary, along with a practical ability to apply results across a range of projects.
Kristen brings a solid academic and professional foundation to her research and data analysis role. With a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Arts and Business from the University of Waterloo, Kristen combines expertise in project management, strategic planning, and client relations. Her experience with business systems, data analytics, and collaborative problem-solving ensures that she is well-equipped to contribute to impactful solutions and drive meaningful results. She has gained valuable hands-on experience in diverse business settings, honing her skills in customer engagement and process improvement.
Annika Best is a Junior Associate and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration at Brock University. Annika is a highly accomplished professional with a solid foundation in both academic and corporate environments. Supported by her active engagement working with community partners within the Niagara Region as well as Brock University, she provides consulting and improvement expertise to bridge theory with real-world applications.
Annika has demonstrated her exceptional academic ability as a distinguished member of The Golden Key Honours Society. Her experience in both finance and accounting has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of financial and data-related challenges, bringing an analytical approach to help solve challenges and support our clients here at MVU.
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