In this panel discussion panelists will talk about the differences between role models, mentors, and sponsors, highlighting the benefits and purpose of each. Panelists will also share personal experiences with role models, mentors, and sponsors, bringing light to how these people have impacted their careers and identifying actions we can each take to have similar impact.
Erin Davis
Founder and Lead Inclusion Strategist, Erin Davis Co.
Erin Davis is an award-winning expert, inspirational speaker, and global thought leader in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion, helping people feel a sense of connection and belonging.
She is the founder of Erin Davis Co. and as Lead Inclusion Strategist helps leaders understand their role in creating a more inclusive workplace to unlock creativity and enhance innovation. Erin also empowers diversity and inclusion champions at all levels to find their voice and supports their journey to create a more inclusive world, one conversation at a time. She is a passionate social justice advocate committed to authentically and bravely challenging the status quo, and helping others to make the same commitment.
Erin serves as the co-chair of the Edmonton Business Diversity Network, a group of companies and organizations who are interested in advancing and shaping the diversity and inclusion environment in the Edmonton region. In addition, she supported the City of Edmonton’s Community Safety and Well-Being Task Force to develop recommendations to address racism, discrimination, excessive use of force, poverty and homelessness in the City of Edmonton, and currently serves as a Director with both McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association and Explore Edmonton.
She currently lives in Treaty 6 Territory, Region 4 of the Metis Nation of Alberta, in Edmonton with her husband and two amazing children, where they both work to teach them about a world where inclusion truly matters.
Ayo Abiola, P.Eng.
Vice President, Black Engineers of Canada
Ayo Abiola, P.Eng., is the Vice President and member of the board of Black Engineers of Canada (BEC), a federal non-profit that fosters growth and leadership for diverse and Black engineering graduates across Canada. Ayo is a founding director and pioneer director of membership for BEC where he helped developed the organization’s foundational framework and continues to support the overall objective of BEC in partnership with various stakeholders including regulators such as Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia.
A licensed professional engineer in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, Ayo has worked on several energy and mechanical projects for institutional, commercial, and industrial (ICI) clients across Canada and overseas. As the Engineering Manager of Energy and Sustainability Services (ESS), Ayo oversees a comprehensive suite of activities and services related to reducing environmental impacts, integrating innovative technologies and applying sustainability principles for Black & McDonald and their customers.
Chunpreet Sahota, P.Eng.
Structural Engineer, WSP
Chunpreet Sahota is an accomplished and versatile Structural Engineer with 12 years of experience in the design and analysis of structures in a variety of industries. She has been with WSP since 2016 and is regularly the cohesive force on multidisciplinary project teams. Chunpreet is passionate about making an impact and driving positive change at work, in the industry, in the community and for the people around her. She is a mentor, advocate, and an inspiring leader as demonstrated through her volunteer activities and the committees she supports—she is the founder and active chair of the WSP Vancouver Diversity & Inclusion Committee, the Programming Lead for WSP’s LGBTQ2+ Employee Resource Group (VIBE), and the Communications Lead for Women of WSP (WOW). Outside of WSP in the engineering community, she is a founding and active board member of Women in Consulting Engineering, a member of the ACEC-BC EDI Committee and a Champion to Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s 30 by 30 initiative. Chunpreet was the proud recipient of the inaugural ACEC-BC EDI award for an individual in 2021 and has been selected by Engineers Canada to be profiled as an EDI Leader for the upcoming 2022 conference.
Clare Share (She/hers), P.Eng.
Engineer, McElhanney Ltd.
Clare Share is a professional engineer, specialising in flood risk management, with over 15 years of experience in both public and private sector on major projects including residential and commercial development, stormwater management schemes, asset management planning, and preparing national legislation. She has undertaken the role of Project Manager for the client and the consultant, managing multi-disciplinary teams to coordinate planning and design work. Clare has also managed dozens of projects for First Nations groups that involved engineering and asset management, as well as several successful funding applications for both municipal clients and First Nations.
Clare was the previous chair of the Women at McElhanney group and she is passionate about promoting STEM to women and girls, a passion that is reflected in her volunteer work with Girl Guides of Canada. Clare is committed to building a world where women and girls are given equal opportunities to succeed and feel empowered to take ownership of their own successes.
Colleen O'Toole, P.Eng.
Project Manager, Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd.
Colleen has worked with Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd. since 2008, after completing a degree in Environmental Engineering at the University of Guelph. Over the past 14 years she has become a trusted advisor to numerous municipal and Indigenous clients.
A people-oriented, problem-solver—Colleen understands that communities are so much more than the civil utilities and infrastructure that serve them. She loves to bring together multi-disciplinary teams to support community engagement and development of plans and designs that reflect the culture, traditions, and values of the specific communities she serves. Colleen specializes in asset management, sewer condition assessment, and rehabilitation projects and is known for her proactive, problem-solving, relational, and communicative approach to managing projects.
