Volunteering is at the core of WCE’s beginnings and remains essential for the successful operation of the organization. We are grateful to have a phenomenal team of dedicated leaders from various technical backgrounds volunteering to serve the organization and advance its mission.
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” – Audrey Hepburn

Neda Naderi, EIT
Co-Chair
Structural | Weyerhaeuser
Neda is a Structural Engineer-In-Training with previous experience working in the mass timber wood industry. She has been involved in educating engineers and contractors in connection with design standards for tall wood buildings, including participating in new research that assists in pushing the construction industry in a more sustainable direction. Neda earned her BASc degree in Civil Engineering and MEng in Structural and Earthquake from the University of British Columbia. She is an avid podcast listener especially about media analysis and Greek mythology. Neda is also passionate about empowering more women to join leadership roles and is excited to help WCE create a safe and accessible engineering community.

Sara Mokhtari, P.Eng., PMP
Co-Chair
Civil/Structural | RAM Consulting
Sara Mokhtari is an Inspection Services Lead at RAM Consulting in the Project Management group with experience working on utilities, municipal, industrial, and infrastructure projects. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta in 2021, but through the co-op experiences she had during her education, she decided to transition her career to the Civil and Construction Industry. Since graduating, Sara has also worked as a cost estimator and quality inspector which have both helped to strengthen her skills as a future Project Manager. At RAM, Sara leads the Mentorship program and is an active member of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee, where she works towards promoting further pay transparency and creating an environment where everyone feels heard and included. In her free time, Sara loves going on long backpacking trips, baking, playing the violin, and spending time with her family and puppy.

Amy Scott, P.ENG.
Board Advisor
Structural Restoration | RJC Engineers
Amy is a Project Engineer at RJC Engineers with a focus on structural restoration and specialty structural engineering. Amy earned her Civil Engineering degree from the University of Victoria, where she co-founded a Seismic Design Team that travelled to San Diego to compete in an international competition shortly before COVID-19 halted travel. Since moving to Vancouver, Amy has become eager to connect with women in the industry and looks forward to providing opportunities for others. Outside of work, Amy has been part of the Girl Guides of Canada for most of her life and is a leader for a unit of young girls who continually inspire her with their zest for learning and “sky’s the limit!” attitude.

Valentina luengas ramirez, PMP
Communications Director
Architecture | WSP
Valentina Luengas Ramírez is a Project Manager at WSP. Her background in architecture has given her a critical eye for inclusion in urban spaces. Through her involvement with WCE, she has found a supportive community within the consulting industry. Her goal is to help foster connections and support the growth of women in the field.

NEGAR SHAMS, EIT
Finance Director
Civil/Structural | RAM Consulting
Negar is an Inspection Coordinator at RAM Consulting, where she supports the organization of third-party inspections and serves as a key link between clients and inspection teams, helping ensure clear communication and efficient project delivery. She graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, providing a strong technical foundation for her work in inspection coordination and infrastructure support. Before transitioning into the engineering sector, Negar spent four years at the Royal Bank of Canada as both an Advisor and a Manager. During her time in banking, she earned her Financial Planning I and Mutual Funds licenses, building expertise in investments and financial planning. Outside of work, Negar enjoys playing the piano and painting, creative outlets that bring balance and inspiration to her daily life.
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Evelyn Playle, P.Eng.
Logistics Director
Environmental | Thurber
Evelyn is an environmental engineer at Thurber Engineering Ltd., with over a decade of experience in contaminated site investigations and remediation projects across British Columbia and the Yukon. Evelyn graduated from Queen’s University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Chemistry before starting to work in the contaminated sites industry in 2014. She has worked on various projects, including municipal and provincial projects, land transactions and developments and linear infrastructure projects. Evelyn has participated in STEM outreach since University, primarily through Engineers & Geoscientists BC. Outside of work, she lives in Squamish, where she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities.

Maggie Kontonis, P.EnG., PMP
Mentorship Director
Infrastructure | MNP
Maggie is a senior infrastructure advisor with over a decade of experience leading complex capital projects across Canada and Europe. Specializing in risk management, project governance, and culturally grounded infrastructure delivery, with a strong track record in feasibility studies, funding strategy, and stakeholder engagement. Known for delivering results in high-stakes environments and aligning infrastructure solutions with long-term community visions and regulatory frameworks.

Nouran ElAmir, P.Eng.
Membership Director
Geotechnical | WSP
Nouran is a Geotechnical Project Engineer at WSP. Graduating from UBC University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in 2021, Nouran worked all over BC on various tunnelling and trenchless construction projects. Nouran is an active advocate of empowering women and international students in STEM fields. Nouran loves listening to podcasts, working out and travelling. As Mentorship Director, she looks forward to creating events that will inspire women of all backgrounds toenter the engineering industry.

Laura McPhedran, P.Eng.
Outreach Director
Civil | Onsite Engineering Ltd.
Laura is a Civil Design Engineer at Onsite Engineering Ltd., where she’s been working since 2018. A strong advocate for women in male-dominated industries, Laura grew up playing hockey and, as an adult, became a volunteer coach for little girls so they could learn to love the sport. Since then, she has directed that attitude into engineering and works in her community to showcase engineering as a viable career option for young women and girls. As Outreach Director, Laura hopes to continue the hard work of past Directors to further young women’s exposure to STEM and to encourage women to see the community and support that can be found in such a field.

Joanna Kidde, EIT
Programming Director
Civil | Fraser River Pile & Dredge
Joanna Kidde is a Civil Engineer (EIT) with Fraser River Pile & Dredge, where she’s involved in building marine structures and facilities that keep BC’s economy moving. She graduated from the University of Calgary and has lived in multiple cities across Canada and East Africa, bringing a global perspective to her work. Fluent in English and Luganda, Joanna cares deeply about building critical infrastructure in ways that respect the environment, communities, and the people who make it happen. She’s also passionate about advancing women in engineering and creating more opportunities for leadership in the field. In her spare time, she enjoys tennis, swimming, and exploring Vancouver’s food scene, where she’s made her home since 2022.

Roxana Mousavi, M.Eng., mba
Programming Director
Transportation | Stantec
Roxana is a Business Operations Leader overseeing the Stantec Transportation sector in British Columbia with 200 staff. She is primarily responsible for operational excellence and financial performance of the transportation and infrastructure sub-sectors, including major projects, ports and marine terminals, project management services, rail and transit, highways, bridges, civil engineering, construction services, surveying, community development, traffic engineering, and transportation planning. In this role, she is responsible for the growth of Stantec’s market position in BC while also engaging in the delivery of major infrastructure projects which exceed client expectations. Roxana spends her free time exploring and appreciating the beautiful nature and communities in BC through hiking, biking, running, golfing, skiing, and snowboarding. She is also a classically trained pianist.

Gurmehar Mann, EIT
Sponsorship Director
Structural | WSP
Gurmehar is a Structural Engineer-in-Training at WSP with a passion for problem-solving and continuous learning. Through her volunteer and professional experiences, Gurmehar gained a strong foundation in leadership, organization, and communication skills. Gurmehar looks forward to the opportunity to serve as a Sponsorship Director and help foster an inclusive and accessible space for like-minded women to come together. She values initiatives like the WCE Scholarship Program and the importance of industry support for empowering and paving the way for more future women leaders in the consulting industry. Outside of work, Gurmehar enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, and exploring the Vancouver café scene!
Past Directors
BOARD ADVISORS
- Chunpreet Sahota (2023 – 2025)
- Mikayla Morrey (2021 – 2023)
- Lauren Semancik (2019 – 2021)
CHAIRS
- Amy Scott (2023 – 2025)
- Chunpreet Sahota (2021 – 2023)
- Kelsie Priest (2019 – 2023)
- Sophie Warwick (2019 – 2021)
COMMUNICATIONS
- Chazel Solamo (2023 – 2025)
- Tracy Huynh (2021 – 2023)
- Sophie Warwick (2019 – 2021)
FINANCE
- Nazli Azimikor (2023 – 2024)
- Holly Tucker (2020 – 2023)
- Zili Wang (2019 – 2020)
LOGISTICS
- Amy Scott (2021 – 2023)
- Chunpreet Sahota (2019 – 2021)
MEMBERSHIP
- Christine Hughes (2023 – 2025)
- Leona Smith (2021 – 2023)
- Karine Poliquin (2019 – 2021)
MENTORSHIP
- Nouran ElAmir (2023 – 2025)
- Neda Naderi (2021 – 2023)
- Victoria Camp (2019 – 2021)
OUTREACH
- Soumya Thapliyal (2023 – 2025)
- Shahrzad Pedram (2021 – 2023)
- Emily Farquharson (2019 – 2021)
PROGRAMMING
- Christie Corrigan (2023 – 2025)
- Lindsay Hawkins (2023 – 2025)
- Miriam Pang (2021 – 2023)
- Kelsie Priest (2019 – 2021)
SPONSORSHIP
- Sara Mokhtari (2023 – 2025)
- Rimi Plaha (2021 – 2023)
- Mikayla Morrey (2019 – 2021)
