Have you ever considered what consulting engineering could look like when transitioning from a technical role but felt unsure about the next steps?

This event explored the challenges many women face when considering a move into executive roles, particularly in environments where female representation in senior leadership remains limited. The discussion highlighted how the lack of visible role models and mentors can make career progression less clear and contribute to uncertainty around timing and readiness for transition.

The evening featured inspiring women who had successfully made the leap from technical roles into executive positions. They shared their career paths, the challenges they faced, key career-shaping decisions, and practical advice to support others in navigating similar transitions.

The session concluded with participants feeling informed, empowered, and encouraged to advance their careers.

Caroline Andrewes is the President of the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – British Columbia. A registered Professional Engineer and Chartered Professional Accountant, she is a Past President of Engineers & Geoscientists BC and has broad experience across industries and organizations, including start-up, not-for-profit, and multi-national public companies. Caroline lives in Vancouver, and she loves to trail run, ride bikes, ski, say hello to dogs, and cook.

Ilana Danzig is the Managing Principal of Aspect’s Vancouver office. With more than 15 years of structural engineering experience, she has worked with all material types across building typologies, off-site prefabricated mass timber and light wood frame systems, as well as construction engineering for mass timber buildings. Ilana’s leadership has helped deliver projects such as District 56 – Tall Wood 1 in Langford, BC, the first Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction tall wood building in Canada. Ilana is published in industry magazines and publications and frequently speaks on the topic of mass timber engineering at conferences such as the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Steel-Timber Hybrid Buildings Conference.

Catherine Roome is a tech innovator with a passion for serving the public interest. She is a director of BC Hydro, chairs the board of its energy trading subsidiary Powerex, and is a member of the Site C Project oversight board. She also serves on the private sector boards of Prospera Credit Union and McElhanney Engineering, where she chairs their operating board. Catherine recently served as Interim CEO of Atira Women’s Resource Society, supporting governance and operational renewal for BC’s largest supportive housing organization. Previously, she led Technical Safety BC for a decade. Catherine is dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and encouraging the next generation of leaders. 

Lianna Mah has spent her entire 30+ year career in the consulting engineering industry. She started as a Design Engineer with Associated Engineering, and today, she is Vice President of Business Development and a member of the Board of Directors for the Associated Engineering Group, a company with over 1100 staff and 20 offices across Canada. Lianna is also a past President and an active volunteer of Engineers and Geoscientists BC and other organizations throughout her career. She has been recognized as one of Business in Vancouver magazine’s top 500 most influential leaders in BC for her contributions to promoting the engineering industry. Lianna is also a very passionate advocate for diversity and its benefits in fostering creative workplaces. Most recently, she received ACEC-BC’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Award.

When: Thursday, June 6, 2024

5:45PM – Registration

6:00PM – Event/Panel Start

8:00PM – Networking

8:30PM – Event End

Where: VanDusen Botanical Gardens – Floral Hall

Transportation: Limited free parking is available. Walking distance from the Oakridge-41st Canada Line station and the R41 rapid bus route.

Sponsored by Associated Engineering and Allnorth