Building Careers While Raising Families

Women in Consulting Engineering (WCE) Calgary, in partnership with Building Equality in Architecture (BEA) and Women in City Building, was excited to present our panel Designing Parenthood: Building Careers While Raising Families sponsored by DIALOG.

In project-based industries such as engineering, architecture and planning, career progression and parenthood often intersect in complex ways. This panel brought together professionals and leaders from across disciplines and stages of parenthood, to share candid insights on returning from parental leave, sustainable support strategies over various career and family stages, and how organizations can balance operational demands with the needs of their people.

Whether participants were a parent looking to feel seen, someone considering parenthood in the future, or a leader who supports and manages parents on their team, this conversation was for everyone. The panel surfaced the real, everyday challenges of building a career while raising a family and highlighted what meaningful balance can look like in practice.

Attendees also had the opportunity to network with industry professionals, learn from parents navigating similar career paths, and make new connections over drinks and appetizers.

Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Location: Dialog Design Studio, Suite 300 – 134 11 Ave SE
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Our Panel Moderator

Sam lane

senior associate, discipline Lead: Sustainability + Performance | ENTUITive

Sam is a Senior Associate and Discipline Lead for Sustainability + Performance at Entuitive, where she leads the Building Performance group within the firm’s Sustainable Performance team. A dynamic and sought-after speaker, she presents across Canada and internationally on high-performance, low-carbon buildings. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in energy modelling, whole life carbon analysis, green building certifications, and strategic sustainability planning.

As a parent of two young children, Sam is deeply engaged in conversations about work life balance and the challenges and opportunities facing parents in the industry.

Our Panel

michelle smith cowman

architect | AAA

Michelle is a registered architect with over 15 years of experience delivering thoughtful, people-centred design. With a background in fine arts and architecture, she approaches projects as collaborative processes grounded in clarity, shared purpose, and care. Her work focuses on municipal and integrated design projects, partnering closely with clients, communities, and multidisciplinary teams from concept through construction.

While completing her architectural registration, Michelle and her husband welcomed two children, now ages 4 and 7. This experience shaped her perspective on building a sustainable career while remaining an engaged parent. She advocates for flexible, supportive practices that allow both people and projects to thrive.

Misty SklaR

Manager of Development Planning (NORTH) | City of caglary

Misty is Manager of Development Planning (North) at The City of Calgary, where she leads a large team advancing community planning initiatives. With master’s degrees in City Planning and Business Administration and a Registered Professional Planner designation, she brings more than 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors.

In 2022, Misty stepped away from work to finalize the adoption of her daughter and bring her home to Canada, an experience that reshaped her perspective on workplace support for caregivers and families. She now champions inclusive organizational cultures, psychological safety, and career paths that evolve alongside family life. Whether mentoring emerging planners or managing a busy household, she brings empathy, clarity, and systems thinking to everything she does.

Jennifer MaGNUS, P.Eng

CEO | Magna Engineering Services

Jennifer is CEO of MAGNA Engineering Services. After several years in traditional corporate engineering and a term as a municipal councillor, she founded MAGNA to work with communities rather than for them. The firm develops nature-based stormwater and wastewater solutions and operates with a strong focus on accountability, curiosity, flexibility, and fun.

MAGNA’s human-centred culture includes a four-day work week and hybrid model designed to support both professional excellence and personal wellbeing. From a small office share in Chestermere, the firm has grown into a 35-plus person team based in Calgary’s Inglewood community. Jennifer continues to drive the company’s purpose-driven approach, rooted in family, adventure, and meaningful impact.

Ryan wilmer, P.Eng

Associate | dialog

Ryan is a structural engineer and Associate at DIALOG with 20 years of experience in the design and construction industry. He specializes in healthcare and institutional projects, leading structural design and project management for new construction, renovations, and complex retrofits. Ryan values collaboration and long-term client relationships that support successful outcomes.

Outside of work, he enjoys an active family life with his wife and their three children, ages 7, 9, and 11, balancing professional responsibilities with the energy of a busy household.

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Thank you to our sponsor for this event!