Voices of Women at ISL

How did your journey into engineering begin — and how has it evolved?

My journey to engineering began in high school because I was generally good at math. I would have loved to focus on writing but didn’t think I could actually make a career out of it. I went to a women in engineering event at UNB when I was in Grade 12 and thought I would like designing buildings and bridges, so I thought I would try engineering. I quickly realized I hated my structural courses but I did really like one Construction Administration technical elective I took, which is how I started down the path that led me to where I am today.

What does a supportive workplace look like to you — and how does ISL reflect that?

To me, a supportive workplace is somewhere you feel safe to be yourself, ask questions, take chances, make mistakes, get messy! I have been lucky to be surrounded by supportive and understanding colleagues since I started at ISL, people who are friendly and open and have supported me both in my growth as an engineer and in my personal life. As an example, I think it says a lot about our culture that I have a Platform 9 ¾ sign above my office that I did not put there; it was given to me because my love of Harry Potter is well known. Of course, ISL is supportive when it comes to project work but the fact that we take the time to get to know and support each other on a personal level says so much more about our company.

What does the future of women in engineering look like to you?

To me, it looks like equality. I want to be treated the same as any man on a construction site or in a meeting—no assumptions, no second-guessing. As a consultant, it’s already tough to have your voice heard and your expertise respected, but being a woman adds another layer of challenge. Too often, it feels like what I say doesn’t land the same way it would if I were a man. It is better than when I started, but there is still a long road ahead. I hope the future brings a greater shift where respect is given based on knowledge and contribution, not gender. I’d love to see a culture where both consultants and contractors are taken seriously, regardless of who they are.

What advice would you give to other women entering the consulting engineering field?

My advice to women entering consulting engineering is to support one another wholeheartedly. There aren’t enough of us in this field, and having each other’s backs makes a huge difference. I’d also say: stay true to your values. Don’t be afraid to be empathetic or show emotion. Being emotional doesn’t make you weak—it shows strength, awareness, and leadership. Empathy is a powerful tool in consulting, especially when you’re navigating complex relationships and projects. True equality comes from a women operating as her best self, not trying to change herself to work in a male dominated industry.

How did your journey into engineering begin — and how has it evolved?

I began my career journey working as a truck counter for an earthworks project when I was 22 years old and then transitioned into water & sewer the next year. From 2007-2013 I worked my way up from laborer to top man to lead hand. After being an estimator from 2014-2018, my mentor at the time encouraged me to reach for the stars, stop making excuses and finally go back to school. I graduated in 2022 worked for W&S subcontractor on the first phase of the YHT expansion project as a junior PM and that is how I came to know ISL. When given the opportunity to work with ISL, I leaped at the chance as it allowed my careers goals to come full circle and finally be achieved. I never would have thought I would end up where I am now, but I am so happy that my journey has led me here and I am sure there is much more to come.

How have you seen the industry change for women since you started?

When I started in construction, there wasn’t very many women in field roles other than flagging. There was a lot of quiet resistance from the male coworkers when I began to move up the ranks on my crew and in the company. Seeing so many women hold leadership positions now, both in the field and in the upper management, and be respected in those roles proves that we not only capable but also deserving of the same opportunities our male counterparts have had for centuries. I am proud to have been part of the revolution even if I didn’t know it.

How did your journey into engineering begin — and how has it evolved?

I enjoyed physics and maths at high school in the UK and decided to pursue engineering after talking to a couple of engineers at a careers evening. I originally planned on a career with the Royal Navy (have you ever been on an aircraft carrier when a harrier comes into land? It is so cool!!!). However, after attending a grade 12 residential week organized by WISE (Women In Science and Engineering) I realized, as the old joke goes, that I’d rather build the targets than the weapons, and so chose the civil engineering path. At university I then discovered that I have zero spatial awareness and so structures was out, but I loved traffic, transportation and roadways which fortunately require slightly less 3D visualization. Since then, my career has followed one linear path – working in the engineering department (design plus two years on site) for Norfolk County Council in England – and then switching to a completely different linear path – ISL in Edmonton. Even after 19 years, I’m still surprised find myself in Canada!

What challenges have you faced as a woman in engineering, and how did you overcome them?

I have been fortunate not to have faced any real challenges throughout my career which started in the mid-90s. I have worked with fantastic people who have given me great opportunities. Most of the challenges that I have had to deal with were when I was the only woman on site. I had practical issues like trying to find PPE which would fit, having to use male washrooms, and most fun of all, avoiding the female stripper that was brought in one lunchtime for the foreman’s birthday. While working in the office, the most difficult thing I have found is speaking out in meetings and being heard – it can be very intimidating when you are the only woman, even with colleagues you know and trust. However, I just tell myself that if I am not the only one who wants to know the answer to my question or will say something daft. Happily, these days I am working with a greater percentage of women, and I have even been in several all-women technical meetings on one of my projects. My current challenge as a woman in engineering is working while going through menopause and all the fun that comes with this stage of life – hot flashes, disturbed sleep, brain fog and increased anxiety. The struggle is real. I’m managing as best I can and have had wonderful support from my manager and colleagues, especially as many of them have women in their lives who are going or have gone through it.

What advice would you give to other women entering the consulting engineering field?

When beginning your career, seek out individuals who share your goals and who will empower and support you to reach your full potential—those who work alongside you, not against you. Mentorship comes in many forms, and it is not limited to other women. Many allies are found among our male colleagues. Early in my career, most of my mentors were men who encouraged me and provided every opportunity to learn and grow. Their values and work ethic have shaped the way I strive to mentor and support others today.

What does the future of women in engineering look like to you?

The future is bright. When I think back to the early days in my career more than 20 years ago, I was often the only female on a job site or in a meeting. Today, I sit in our ISL Transportation meetings and see many of our new young technologists or E.I.T.s are female! Or sitting in a board room on one of the highest profile projects in Edmonton, and almost all of the senior engineering lead and Project Manager positions are held by women. We are here because we are strong, dedicated, and supportive of one another—empowering each other to grow and mentor the next generation of women engineers.

What sparked your interest to work in the engineering field?

In high school, I was unsure which degree I wanted to pursue, and environmental science initially piqued my interest. After a teacher recommended environmental engineering, I researched the field and discovered a discipline that combines creativity with technical problem-solving. I was inspired by the idea that engineers create solutions that both protect the environment and improve the quality of life for communities.

What advice would you give to other women entering the consulting engineering field?

My advice to women entering the consulting engineering field is to stay confident in your abilities and never hesitate to share your ideas. Surround yourself with a strong support network, keep asking questions and stay curious as these approaches will help you grow and thrive in your career.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in engineering, and how did you overcome them?

Working in a non-technical role within a highly technical field, one of my early challenges was ensuring that HR had a voice at the table. I’ve focused on building relationships, understanding the work our teams at ISL do, and demonstrating how the work of HR contributes to both project outcomes and overall business success. The tricky part is that sometimes the work of HR is hard to quantify. Much of our impact lies in what we prevent, not just what we produce. We are slowly shifting the perception of HR’s role; it’s not about keeping everyone happy, but about creating the conditions where people can do their best work in support of ISL’s continued success.

What advice would you give to other women entering the consulting engineering field?

Be curious and confident and know that you don’t have to have all the answers right away. What matters most is your willingness to learn and your ability to contribute meaningfully. Seek out mentors and allies, ask questions, and don’t hesitate to take up space in conversations and decisions. The consulting engineering field benefits from diverse perspectives and your insight, experience, and voice are an important part of that progress.