Join us for our Spring Virtual Mentorship Mixer featuring a lineup of brilliant, experienced women in engineering as mentors. This virtual event follows the same format as our annual in-person mentorship mixer but now from the comfort of your own home, office, or wherever you are in the world!!
There will be three 30-minute discussion rotations available for this event. As a mentee, you will have the opportunity to choose from the general topics below and go into the respective breakout rooms during the session.
Topics:
- Mentorship and Relationship Building
- Sabbaticals, Stress Leave and Burnout Management
- Maternity Leave and Work-Life Balance
- Foreign Work Experience
- Conflict Resolution
- Creating Your Own Opportunities
Check out our amazing line up of mentors for this event down below. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain insight from knowledgeable mentors in the industry and share your experiences with like-minded individuals!
When: Thursday April 25, 2024, 6PM – 8:30PM
Where: Virtual over Zoom
Cost: $10
MEET OUR MENTORS
ALLANA SPOONER, P.Eng., PMP
Project Manager | Binnie
Allana is a Project Manager with 5+ 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, 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.
BAILEY D’AMATO
Lead Geotechnical Engineer | WSP
Bailey D’Amato is a Lead Geotechnical Engineer in WSP’s Kelowna office with over eight years of experience providing geotechnical engineering services throughout Canada, Australia, and South America. She manages and provides technical support for a broad range of geotechnical works including site investigations, data interpretation, ground characterization, geotechnical analysis and design, construction review, and inspections for highway expansions, water supply tunnels, oil and gas, rapid transit, civil and municipal infrastructure. Bailey has a particular interest in the design and construction of water and transportation tunnels.
Bailey has held leadership and technical roles during her career and has a passion for mentoring and supporting women in consulting and engineering. Away from work, she loves spending time gardening, playing soccer, and exploring BC with her 2-year-old daughter.
BREANNA DAHLBY, AscT
Technologist and Staff Manager | Binnie
Breanna is a design technologist with eight years in civil consulting who still experiences imposter syndrome while balancing work and personal life with chronic illness. Her recent accomplishments include joining Binnie’s mentorship program as a first-time mentor. She recognized the importance of having mentors in her life and is excited to expand her mentoring skills to a WCE event.
DEANNA PERRIN
Associate – Group Leader | RJC
Deanna grew up in Edmonton and graduated in 2006 with a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta. Soon after graduation, she joined RJC’s Edmonton office as a structural design engineer (EIT). About 10 years later, she moved to RJC’s Kelowna office as a project engineer and now leads RJC’s local structural consulting practice. Deanna began her career working primarily on new construction projects and now is focused mostly on structural evaluations and forensics. However, her group in Kelowna works on a wide variety of structural engineering projects. Outside of work, Deanna is a mom of 3 kids aged 5, 12, and 14 and enjoys taking in all the scenery and activities the Okanagan has to offer.
DHILVINDER KAUR
Senior Project Manager, Capital Planning and Projects | BC Pavilion Corporation (BC PavCo)
Dhilvinder is a Senior Project Manager at BC Pavilion Corporation (BC PavCo), the entity behind Vancouver’s iconic buildings, 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 9+ years of structural engineering and project management experience, she has worked on projects in a variety of sectors, including oil and gas, pulp and paper, marine terminals, and bridge and building infrastructure. She is passionate about strategically integrating accessibility across sites and serves on the Accessibility Committee at PavCo. Currently, she is working on the BC Place Stadium infrastructure upgrades for FIFA 2026. Outside of wor
IRSA HAQUE, PMP, P.Eng.
Project Manager | Binnie
Irsa Haque is a seasoned Project Manager at Binnie’s Project Delivery Division, with over 10 years of experience in commercial buildings, transportation, retail, and airports. She joined Binnie in 2024, bringing extensive experience as an owner, consultant, and contractor in Canada and Australia. Irsa excels in managing complex infrastructure projects from initiation to completion, specializing in planning, procurement, stakeholder collaboration, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and contract management. She has led projects including pilot commercial facilities, overpass and underpass structures, airport terminal buildings, and tenant improvements.
In her previous role as an owner, Irsa led the development team in defining a project for an innovative food production facility. Currently, at Binnie, she represents TransLink in managing multiple BC Parkway improvement projects across various phases. Known for her ability to simplify complex problems and communicate effectively, Irsa consistently achieves meaningful project outcomes for her clients.”
KAREN HINCKS
Group Manager | WSP
Karen is the Group Manager and Principal Engineering Geologist at WSP. She was born and raised in Maple Ridge, BC. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology and Applied Environmental Geology from the University of Calgary. After working for a year as a contaminant hydrogeologist for a year, she then moved to Edmonton to complete her Master of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alberta. Her Master’s was completed as a joint degree between the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering, with courses in Engineering Geology and Rock Mechanics. As a result, Karen fell in love with the interface and integration between geological sciences and geotechnical engineering. Following completion of her master’s, she gained more experience working as a contaminant hydrogeologist prior to working in Amec’s (now WSP) geotechnical engineering group as an engineering geologist.
KRISTINE NOVAKOWSKI, P.Geo.
Principal Geoscientist | WSP
Kristine is a Principal Geoscientist at WSP Canada Inc. with 13+ years of environmental consulting experience. Kristine started her career with Golder Associates Ltd., now WSP Canada Inc., in Vancouver, BC, and achieved her PGeo through EGBC in 2016. At the beginning of her career, she worked as a Junior Geochemist with the Mining group and was a member of her team’s Joint Health and Safety Committee from 2011 to 2013. In 2013, she transitioned to the Environmental Remediation group as an Environmental Geoscientist. She has lived and worked from Golder’s Terrace and Kamloops offices, moving to Kelowna in 2017. Kristine’s technical focus is environmental site characterization and remediation/risk management planning for brownfield properties and legacy mines across BC, and she specializes in managing investigations at remote-access properties in northern BC. Outside of work, Kristine is heavily involved with local animal rescue groups, volunteering every Saturday, and has fostered over 30 dogs and cats.
MEAGHAN JORGENSEN
Project Manager / Contract Administrator | Binnie
Meaghan is a Project Manager and MMCD Certified Contract Administrator (CCA) at Binnie’s Burnaby office. She brings 15 years of extensive experience in the field of municipal engineering. Her expertise lies in project management and contract administration, specifically focused on municipal design and construction projects. She has worked in consulting engineering, municipal government, and construction throughout her career giving her a unique perspective on projects. In her spare time, she enjoys playing soccer, hiking, pilates (love/hate), traveling, hanging with friends, and snuggling her cat Frankie whilst bingeing Netflix: ‘Yes, I’m still watching, and I won’t have your judgment.’
MONIQUE STAALS, P.Eng., PMP
Director – Project Delivery | RAM
Monique is the Director of Project Delivery at RAM, with 18 years of experience delivering capital projects. She is an active advocate for the advancement of women in leadership and believes that educating and empowering youth leaders is critical in generating meaningful change. Monique volunteers with several organizations with a focus on overcoming bias in science and engineering and was the Women’s Infrastructure Network Emerging Leader Award Winner in 2022.
NICOLE BABUIK, P.Eng., LEED® AP
Associate | RJC
Nicole focuses on existing building structural engineering problem-solving. Her experience spans nearly every service offering that RJC has in building science and restoration. She has completed complex upgrades to primary building structures; has a working knowledge of building enclosure systems and roofing; and has been key in growing the practice of specialty engineering of building components and seismic restraint. Nicole’s professional passion revolves around seismic resiliency and engaging with clients, contractors, authorities, and the community to raise awareness.
NICOLE GERWIN, EIT
Assistant Operations Leader | Allnorth
Nicole graduated from the combined UBC/UNBC environmental engineering program in 2017. As an EIT, 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. While at Allnorth, Nicole has managed numerous projects in the Infrastructure, Mining, Energy, and Forestry sectors. Nicole now helps to lead Allnorth’s Vancouver office in her roles as Assistant Operations Leader and Project Management Group Lead.
REBECCA CROSTHWAIT, P.Eng.
Principal Project Manager | Mott MacDonald
Rebecca Crosthwait is a Professional Engineer with over 19 years of experience in hydroelectric power, wind power, municipal water services, and large capital infrastructure projects. She has extensive experience as both a project manager and project engineer working with multidisciplinary teams. She has managed projects with diverse stakeholders, from technical experts and government officials to members of the public, as well as experience working with various Indigenous communities in Canada.
SABRINA WOODWORTH, P.Eng.
Project Manager | BBA
Sabrina is a Project Manager with 17 years of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction experience, including multiple industries and business groups. She has held numerous positions and leadership roles within Project Management, Engineering Management, Process Technology, Construction, Commissioning, Business Development and Talent Development; demonstrating her ability to adjust to change and furthering her well-versed foundation in corporate operations. Sabrina has worked in several industries, including water treatment, oil and gas, chemical, oil sand extractions, tailings, and mining.
With her love of teaching, sharing her experiences and a passion for mentoring, she founded Work Lessons 101, an organization that focuses on sharing experiences from the work environment.
SIDNEY ROY, P.Eng.
Operations Leader | Allnorth
Sidney is a Professional Engineer who completed her joint degree at UBC and UNBC. She has worked at Allnorth for her entire career, starting as a Civil Engineer-in-Training and holding many diverse roles before becoming the Operations Leader in December 2022.
Sidney’s passions include project management and the business side of the operation, as well as working collaboratively with a group to achieve a common goal. Outside of work, Sidney’s interests include mountain biking, skiing, hiking, soccer and travelling. She currently resides in Prince George, BC and has been exposed to many of the sectors the North has to offer, including metals & minerals, energy & renewables, fibre & chemicals, and infrastructure.
SIOBHAN ROBINSON, MASc, P.Eng.
Sector Leader – Water Supply & Treatment | KWL
Siobhan Robinson leads the Water Supply and Treatment sector at Kerr Wood Leidal. A Chemical Engineer by training, Siobhan is passionate about improving health through the development of community water and wastewater infrastructure.
Siobhan has volunteered with both the BC Water and Waste Association (BCWWA) and the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies (ACEC) for more than 10 years, including serving as a Director on both the ACEC-BC and ACEC-Canada Boards. She currently co-leads the BCWWA Drinking Water Technical Advisory Committee and is an active member of the BCWWA Truth and Reconciliation Committee. She also volunteers with Science World’s Scientists and Innovators in the Schools program.
Through her volunteer work, Siobhan aims to facilitate the engagement and retention of young professionals in the water sector and improve the business environment for consulting engineers across the country.
SONIA D’AMBRA, PhD, P.Eng.
Rock Mechanics Engineer | Itasca
Sonia is a Rock Mechanics Engineer with over 20 years of experience in academia and consulting related to rock mass characterization, slope engineering design, interaction analysis, and numerical modelling for surface and underground excavations. She has been involved in the design, operation and management of pit slopes, underground mines and civil works throughout North America and overseas.
Sonia enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience as a mentor and a university lecturer and is an adjunct professor at UBC and SFU.
Sonia values fairness and believes in values-based leadership to create a work environment that encourages self-awareness, perspective-taking and empathy, fosters creativity and supports the development of personal strengths.
TAMSIN SILVESTER, ChPP (UK)
VP Rail & Transit | WSP
Tamsin is the Vice President of WSP’s Rail & Transit team in Western Canada, with over 25 years of experience in technical, professional and engineering management roles. She is an accomplished and multi-disciplined leader and has been responsible for leading design, technical, financial, and program management for projects with a wide variety of values, forms of contract, nature and scope of work. Starting her career in the UK, Tamsin transferred to WSP Canada in 2016, where she has worked as the Design Manager for the Edmonton Metro NW LRT, the WSP Pursuit Lead for the Broadway Subway Project proposal, Project Manager for Additional Works and Systems Integration for the OnTrack Alliance Union Station Expansion Project in Toronto and she is currently Pursuit Lead for Calgary Green Line LRT, a Progressive Collaborative procurement model. In these roles, she led collaborative multi-disciplinary teams, liaising and coordinating between many different parties, including internal departments, external consultants, clients, Joint Venture contractors, local municipalities and other stakeholders.
Women in Consulting Engineering Vancouver 