Women in Consulting Engineering (WCE) Calgary, in collaboration with Centre for Newcomers, presented “Abroad to Alberta: Panel on Engineering Licensure for Newcomers”, sponsored by RAM.

Featuring an experienced panel of professionals who have studied or worked abroad and successfully navigated the professional designation process, this event offered invaluable insights, strategies, and firsthand experiences to help international professionals chart their course to success through the process of obtaining a professional designation in Alberta.

Date: September 27, 2024

Time: 10:00AM – 1:00PM

Where: Centre for Newcomers, #125, 565 36 St. NE

Moderator

Gayathri Shukla

Founder

CAMPFIRE KINSHIP

Gayathri Shukla holds an electrical engineering degree from the University of Calgary and an Executive MBA from Queen’s University. An immigrant to Canada during her teenage years, she earned her P.Eng. with APEGA in 2010, starting her engineering career in Fort McMurray. After 17 years in the energy and mining sector, she founded Campfire Kinship in 2020, a social enterprise dedicated to building inclusive cultures through training, advisory, and storytelling. Certified in the innovative method of guided autobiography, Gayathri has empowered over 1000 leaders across various sectors to discover their authentic strengths and enhance their empathy skills. She is also the author of the bestselling anthology Landed, Transformative Stories of Canadian Immigrant Women, and hosts the Hearth 2 Heart on Belonging at the CJSW 90.9 FM radio. Gayathri is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal in recognition of her community service.

Panelists

Yazen Hindieh
P.Eng., M.S.

Principal Mechanical Engineer

ENTUITIVE

Yazen is a structural engineer with over 6 years of experience across the USA and Canada. His expertise spans a broad range of building types, including medical, commercial, sports, and entertainment facilities, with a particular emphasis on educational, retail, and event center projects. He adeptly manages projects from conceptual design through construction administration, ensuring high standards of engineering excellence throughout.

Naginder Jabbal
P.Eng., C.Eng., PMP

Business Leader

MCELHANNEY

Naginder has over 24 years of international experience in business growth and management, policy development and implementation, asset management, program management and project delivery, business development, marketing, business cases and funding requests. He has extensive experience working for Parks Canada Agency, Alberta Transportation, the cities of Calgary, Edmonton, and St. Albert, Alberta Health Services, Wheatland County, Kneehill County, Mountainview County, Town of High River, District of Sparwood, Alberta TrailNet, and the Greater Bragg Creek Trail Association. On the personal side, Naginder has lived on three continents to date; neither of which are his motherland continent. He loves learning about cultures and people. He is married and has two daughters. In his less-busy time, he loves wining and dining, trying new restaurants, and doing yoga as an exercise.

Remco Kleinlugtenbelt P.Eng., M.Sc.

Senior Project Engineer

MOTT MACDONALD

Remco is an engineer with both a Bachelors and Masters in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Delft, The Netherlands. He has professional experience in Australia, The Netherlands (his native country), and Hong Kong, abroad all while on work visas. In 2016, he moved to Canada with his wife and three kids and applied for a permanent resident visa. He obtained his P.Eng. designation in 2024 after navigating the process of gaining Canadian experience and fulfilling the requirements. He is eager to share his journey and insights during the panel discussion.

Stefania Pedersen
P.Eng.

Manager, Integrity Consulting

DYNAMIC RISK

Originally from Venezuela, Stefania moved to Calgary, Canada, in 2015, where she began her career in pipeline integrity, worked at Rosen for 2 years as a Data Analyst, and after earning her P.Eng. with APEGA started her career as an Integrity Engineer at Dynamic Risk. Now the Manager of Integrity Consulting at Dynamic Risk, Stefania brings over 12 years of expertise in Oil & Gas Operations. She leads her team in delivering high-quality integrity assessments and innovative solutions. Stefania is known for fostering a collaborative and safety-driven work environment, providing mentorship and guidance. She combines technical proficiency with leadership to consistently exceed client and industry standards.

Note that WCE is an inclusive community. While our events are curated for those working in consulting engineering, much of our content will interest those working in similar industries – you are welcome to be part of our community. All genders are welcome and encouraged to attend our events.

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