Mentor Bios

Allana Spooner, P.Eng., PMP

Project Manager | Binnie

Allana is a Project Manager/Owner’s Representative with 6+ years of experience managing projects ranging from tenant improvement to civil infrastructure upgrades and new building construction for a variety of large public clients. Her road to finding a home in project management was a rough one over the past 8 years, with stops in design, field engineering, and unemployment, but she has found resiliency through her own struggles and now strives to be a supporter and mentor to other young professionals facing similar situations. She firmly believes that everyone has a right to feel comfortable being their authentic self at work and is intentional about providing a safe space for colleagues to do so.

Anja Lanz, P.Eng., FEC

Founder and CEO | Global Women in STEM Inc.

Anja Lanz, P.Eng., FEC, is a Founder and CEO of Global Women in STEM, a strategic consulting firm dedicated to advancing equity in the STEM sector. With 15 years of experience as a Professional Engineer, Anja now applies her leadership and technical expertise to a broader mission, focusing on healthcare and EDI.

A seasoned leader, Anja has a diverse background in engineering and consulting, complemented by a deep commitment to entrepreneurship and women in STEM advocacy. She is an Advisor to Engineers Canada and other organizations like CCWESTT.

Anja is passionate about empowering women, and a mentor for over 25 years. She loves helping others with career planning, leadership skills and is eager to share her insights to help others thrive.

Brigette Martin, P. Eng., WELL AP

Specialist Acoustical Consultant | BKL Consultants

Brigette Martin has worked in the Lower Mainland for over 10 years as an acoustical consultant at BKL Consultants. Brigette graduated from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2009. Before joining BKL in 2015, Brigette worked as an acoustical consultant on various building and environmental projects throughout New Zealand and Australia. Brigette has continued this work at BKL, focusing more on environmental acoustics.

Over her career, Brigette has experienced the demands of being an engineering consultant, from providing technical expertise and leading projects to supporting pursuits and managing staff.

Celina Kwasniak, P.Eng.

Senior Specialist Quality and Compliance | Mott MacDonald Canada Limited 

Celina Kwasniak is a professional engineer and Professional Practice and Compliance Manager for Mott MacDonald Canada Limited. She holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, and for the last 18 years, she has specialized in structural designs of industrial and commercial buildings, educational, municipal, and research facilities, and blast-resistant structures. Her education and experience were gained in Poland, USA, Ireland, and Canada. In her role as a compliance manager Celina ensures that regulatory practices and standards are upheld and that appropriate training and support is provided to all staff who deliver work covered by Provincial Regulators.

Damineh Akhavan, P.Eng., FEC, MBA

Senior Engineer/Co-Founder and CEO | De Havilland Aircraft of Canada/Global Women in STEM

Damineh Akhavan is a Professional Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Canada with an immense passion for human rights and governance. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, a Bachelor of Science in Physics, and an MBA in International Business from the University of Victoria.

Damineh is a Senior Engineer at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada with over 20 years of technical and leadership experience in the aerospace industry. As a Transport Canada Designated Engineer, she performs airworthiness engineering functions on behalf of the Minister of Transport for the De Havilland Design Approval Organization. Moreover, Damineh is the Co-Founder and CEO of Global Women in STEM, promoting human rights for women and equity-deserving groups and challenging the status quo in STEM and Health through education, innovation, advocacy, and action. 

It is through her professional achievements, community leadership, and volunteer work that she has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and honours in recent years.

Deanna Chala, MA

Chief Human Resources Officer | Allnorth Consultants Ltd

Deanna Chala is a values-driven people leader who believes the true measure of leadership is found in others’ success. Drawing on deep experience in human resources, organizational development, and leadership strategy, she focuses on creating environments where people and performance thrive together. Guided by the principle of making others better as a result of her presence—and ensuring that impact endures in her absence, Deanna is dedicated to building capable, confident leaders at every level. Her approach blends empathy, accountability, and strategic foresight, leaving lasting systems, relationships, and cultures that continue to strengthen long after her direct involvement.

Dhilvinder Kaur, P.Eng.

Senior Manager, Capital Projects Delivery | BC Pavillion Corporation

Dhilvinder is the Senior Manager, Capital Projects Delivery at BC Pavilion Corporation (BC PavCo), the entity responsible for Vancouver’s landmark venues, BC Place Stadium and the Vancouver Convention Centre. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Structural Engineering from UC San Diego and a Master of Civil Engineering – Structures from the University of Delaware.

With over a decade of experience in structural engineering and project management, Dhilvinder has led projects across diverse sectors, including bridge and building infrastructure, oil and gas, pulp and paper, and marine terminals. In her role, she is dedicated to ensuring the PavCo Capital Projects team surpasses expectations by delivering projects that drive significant economic and community benefits for British Columbia. Currently, Dhilvinder is leading the Capital Projects team on the BC Place Stadium infrastructure upgrades for FIFA 2026.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Dhilvinder is a devoted mother to a toddler and enjoys exploring the natural beauty of British Columbia with her family.

Erinn Raison, M.Eng., P.Eng.

Senior Geotechnical Engineer | BGC Engineering

Erinn is a geotechnical engineer with 14 years of experience in various mining, foundation and pipeline projects in North America. Her experience includes tailings dam design, project management, pipeline routing, and geohazard assessments. She has acted as a geotechnical discipline lead and project manager for a Canadian mining project and has undertaken stability modelling, liquefaction assessments, tailings deposition and dam raise planning, earth-fill dam design, IFC drawing and specification preparation, dam safety inspections, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and site investigation management.

Erinn is the current engineer of record for a tailings facility in Canada. She has field experience that includes geotechnical site investigations using a variety of drilling and in situ testing methods, instrumentation installation, and construction monitoring. Outside of project work, she is the Tailings and Dams group lead at BGC. The group looks at ways to share learnings across projects, opportunities to create efficiencies in our work, and reviews ways to maintain high-quality work.

Karen Hincks, P.Geo.

Principal Engineering Geologist | WSP

Karen graduated from the University of Calgary with a degree in Applied and Environmental Geology and Geology, worked for Alberta Environment as a contaminant hydrogeologist, then went to the University of Alberta to get her Master’s in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, completing her master’s with a split between engineering and geology. Karen has worked for WSP and predecessor companies for 20 years in a variety of roles, starting in Calgary and moving home to BC in 2018. Karen works extensively on permafrost geohazards, having worked in the Northwest Territories since 2006 on a variety of projects. 

Laura Christensen, P.Eng.

Principal | Water Street Engineering 

Laura is a registered Professional Engineer and Principal with Water Street Engineering, a small local civil engineering consultancy. Her experience includes water infrastructure design, hydraulic modelling, asset management, water resources, and district energy systems. Outside of engineering, Laura also serves as an elected Park Board Commissioner and is current Board Chair. She lives in East Vancouver with her husband and young daughter, and is expecting her second child this winter.

Laura McPhedran, P.Eng., MMCD CA

Civil Design Engineer | Onsite Engineering Ltd.

Laura started her career in 2018 as an EIT, and she has stayed with the same firm ever since. She often hears that it is more beneficial to job hop to get a higher salary and increase benefits, but she has found that by advocating for herself, and getting her company to pay for her loyalty, She has been able to build a career for herself that gives her the exact work/life balance she sets out to get. This resulted in her taking 1.5 years off work to sail the world and return to her old position, which was held for her in her absence. Sometimes the “grind” for more money & more power looks a little different than what we are told, and she’d love to share her personal experience with us.

Liza Packer, P.Eng.

Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Assistant Branch Manager | Thurber Engineering Ltd.

Liza is a Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Senior Associate, and Assistant Branch Manager at Thurber Engineer. Liza works on a variety of projects and enjoys development work, including excavations and retaining walls. With the help of others, Liza started the company-wide Women’s Resource Group at Thurber and a micro-aggression reporting system. Outside of wor,k she likes to travel, ski, and garden with her family.

Maggie Kontonis, P.Eng., PMP

Infrastructure Advisor | MNP

Strategic senior infrastructure advisor with over a decade of experience leading complex capital projects across Canada and Europe. Specialized 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.

Mariam Abdulameer, P.Eng., PMP

Manager, Inspection Services | RAM Consulting

Mariam is a Manager at RAM, where she leads a team of field and technical staff. A Professional Engineer with a passion for the construction industry, she is inspired by the highly complex projects shaping the region. Mariam has been an active contributor to Canadian Construction Women (CCW) for several years and is committed to fostering collaboration, transparency, and high agency in the teams she works with. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking and hosting, travelling, and reading.

Megan Atkinson, P.Eng.

Director of Ground Engineering | WSP Canada Inc

Megan is the Director of Ground Engineering in BC’s Lower Mainland. She has over 20 years of experience in the geotechnical industry, spending many years in the field as a project engineer, moving on to project management and eventually leading to her current position in operational leadership.  Megan has a team-oriented approach to people and project management and she specializes in the execution of large-scale, complex geotechnical projects. She joined WSP in 2021 and got involved with Women of WSP, where she currently serves as National Co-Chair.

Meredith Anderson MSCE, P.Eng., Struct.Eng. 

Principal | RJC Engineers

Meredith is a Structural Engineer and Principal at RJC Engineers, known for thinking outside the box and providing elegant, thoughtful solutions on projects. She brings a broad cross-section of experience in a variety of project types, including retail, institutional, recreational and high-rise residential and office buildings.

Meredith leads by example, is a strong mentor, and is recognized for her project management skills, technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities. An excellent listener, Meredith is a skilled communicator whose approachability and engaging personality create a positive work environment. She is a consummate professional, smoothly and successfully navigating expectations and deadlines.

Nicole Gerwin, P.Eng.

Assistant Operations Leader and Project Manager | Allnorth Consultants Limited

Nicole graduated from the combined UBC/UNBC environmental engineering program. In her early career, Nicole worked in municipal development in the Lower Mainland and along the Sea-to-Sky Corridor. Her focus was on stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and civil/municipal engineering design. In 2022, Nicole shifted her attention from technical engineering delivery to project management when she started as a Project Coordinator at Allnorth. Now a project manager, Nicole leads numerous projects in the Infrastructure and Energy sectors. Additionally, Nicole helps to manage the operation of Allnorth’s Vancouver office in her role as Assistant Operations Leader.

Pia Abercromby, P.Eng., ENV SP

Leading Specialist in Sustainability | COWI

Pia Abercromby is COWI’s Leading Specialist for Sustainability in Canada, where she drives the integration of climate resilience, carbon accounting, biodiversity, and social outcomes into engineering projects. After a decade delivering civil and structural design and project management as a consulting engineer, she pivoted her career to focus on sustainability. 

Today, she leverages her engineering expertise to advance sustainable practices across the construction industry, demonstrating that these can be both feasible and cost-effective. Pia is passionate about showing how the built environment can evolve to meet both environmental and social needs. Outside of work, she recharges outdoors, often skiing, hiking, or running.

Tahmineh Teymourian,  P.Eng.

Structural Engineer | City of Vancouver

Tahmineh holds a Master of Engineering degree in Structural and Earthquake Engineering from the University of British Columbia. She has experience across mining and metals, power and energy, buildings and properties, and municipal infrastructure projects. Before joining the City of Vancouver, she worked on multiple residential and commercial projects in Canada and the United States, particularly in Hawaii. In her current role as a Structural Engineer with the City’s Streets Design Branch, she focuses on urban infrastructure and bridge structures. Outside of work, Tahmineh enjoys fishing, travelling, and reading.

Tamsin Silvester, B.Sc., ChPP(UK)

Program Director | WSP Canada Inc.

Tamsin is the Program Director of WSP’s Western Canada Rail & Transit team. With over 30 years of experience in technical, professional and engineering management roles, she is an accomplished and multi-disciplined leader. Starting her career in the UK, Tamsin transferred to WSP Canada in 2016, where she has worked as Design Manager for Edmonton Metro NWLRT, WSP Pursuit Lead for Broadway Subway Project proposal, Project Manager for part of the OnTrack Alliance Union Station Expansion Project in Toronto and she is currently WSP Project Director for Calgary Green Line LRT.  In these roles, she led collaborative teams, liaising and coordinating between many different parties, including internal departments, external consultants, clients, Joint Venture contractors, local municipalities and other stakeholders.

Vicki Heron, B.Sc., M.Sc.

Director, Environmental Management  | WSP

I am passionate about leading diverse teams and fostering an environment where their voices are heard, they are safe, united in purpose, and have access to the right tools and information. From my experience, I know this type of environment facilitates the development of motivated, innovative, and collaborative teams committed to growing purpose-driven and fulfilling careers, achieving shared business goals, and creating value for our clients. I’m currently pursuing my MBA at UBC’s Sauder School of Business. 

Specialties: Operational leadership, problem solving, strategic planning, corporate risk management, building and leading multi-site high-performance teams, financial management, employee communications, coaching and mentoring, implementing, and optimizing business strategies, initiatives, and processes.

Victoria Camp, M.Eng., M.S.Com., P.Eng.

Geological Engineer | BGC Engineering

Victoria is a geological engineer who’s passionate about geotechnical design and accessible technical communication. After graduating from UBC Geological Engineering, she joined BGC and worked for several years on the analysis, design, and construction of large earth-fill dams and other infrastructure types on sites in Ontario, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories. In 2022, she stepped away from work to pursue two master’s programs that reflected her dual interests: a Masters of Science Communication at Laurentian, and a Masters of Engineering in Civil-Geotech at UBC. Since graduating, she has rejoined BGC and has resumed supporting a mix of challenging geological engineering projects.

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