Our educational system and organizations that employ women professionals have a vital role in better preparing and creating work environments that both attract and retain women professionals.
Diversity with inclusion provides a potent mix of talent retention and engagement. As the discipline continues to lose female talent, more must be done to keep these women engaged.
To support women to grow and advance in the field of engineering and geoscience. Engineers and Geoscientists BC's Vancouver Branch is organizing a panel discussion with expert panelists.
Join us for an evening of networking and learning!
Dr. Katherina Tarnai-Lokhorst, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon), BASc, MBA, DSocSci
Katherina’s influence as a role model for women in engineering and physical sciences crosses disciplines and international boundaries: an award-winning educator in mechanical engineering, she has collaborated with scholars and industry representatives around the globe. Katherina lives an authentically transdisciplinary life, applying her deep understanding of the impact of technology on society and her passion for making the world a better place to co-create an engineering culture where each and every person feels they belong, feels welcome to follow their path and feels free to fulfill their calling. Katherina participates on multiple boards including the Degree Quality Assessment Board for the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, the Artisanal Gold Council (artisanalgold.org), the UBC Alumni Advisory Council and as Board Chair of The BC Association for Living Mindfully (bcalm.ca). Her latest project is “The Edge”, a series of vignettes, blog posts and infographics that enable readers to explore the edge of their understanding of how behaviour impacts the ability to create a culture of inclusion and belonging where each and every person feels they belong, feels welcome to follow their path and feels free to fulfill their calling.
Shelby Hart, P.Eng.
Shelby Hart (she/her) is the Director of Clean Investment for the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, a professional engineer, innovator, thought leader and mother. She has focused her career on advancing innovation and decarbonization pathways for Industry and manufacturing. She gained foundational experience in industrial operation and greenhouse gas reduction through operations and design engineering positions with several of the major Canadian/global oil and gas and mining companies. Her expertise in plant operations and process design led to involvement with several innovative technology development projects. When she’s not busy trying to solve tough problems, Shelby is a certified Paddle Canada SUP instructor and loves to travel and explore new places with her husband and toddler. Along with their dog and 1977 Boler, they can be found road tripping to a great paddle location, surf beach or hiking trail.
Janice Baron, P.Eng.
Janice Baron is a Professional Engineer with fifteen years of experience in the mining industry. She obtained her master’s degree in Mining Engineering at the University of British Columbia, Canada. Janice has experience in operating concentrators of base metals, precious metals and iron ore. Her passion is focused on efficiency and excellence by working collaboratively with various groupsacross the organization. Janice is currently the Chief Mineral Processing Engineer/Acting Mill Technical Superintendent at Teck Highland Valley Copper.
Carolyn Hillard, P.Eng.
Carolyn has held various management and technical roles with Sedgman and has over 30 years' experience with a focus on technology development overseeing projects from concept through to detailed design and into operations. In her current role as Vice President of Sedgman North America, Carolyn is responsible for leading the business in North America including Canada and the United States. She has extensive global experience in the resources sector working across continents such as South America, Africa, Australia, and North America covering gold, copper, mineral sands and numerous coal projects and operations. As a founding member of the Vancouver office in 2013, Carolyn has earned a respected reputation for her technical and innovative capabilities. Her global experience has provided her with a unique perspective and her drive is to develop people ensuring they can have a long and rewarding career in the industry she loves.
Melanie Mackay, P.Geo.
Mrs. Melanie Mackay, P.Geo., is a Canadian-born Indigenous professional geoscientist specializing in all aspects of coal and metal projects in both junior and senior mining companies. Mrs. Mackay's expertise is in evaluation, modelling, feasibility and forecasting mine-specific projects. She obtained her BSc (honours) geological sciences degree from UBC and is now completing a PhD in Mining Engineering at UBC. Her affiliations include the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, and the Canadian Carbonization Research Association. She also sits on two boards, as Director of Durango Resources and President and founder of the Western Canadian Coal Society.