Conference

Program

Thursday

Sept 23

7 Speakers

2 Networking Events

7:30-8:15 AM PDT

Conference Kick-off and Working on projects with Indigenous Communities

Freda Leong, Associated Engineering

Session Description
Throughout Canada, we are living on land that is on the ancestral territories of Indigenous Communities. Many of us are settlers, and therefore guests upon the land where we work, study and recreate. Learn from Freda Leong, Manager of First Nations Infrastructure at Associated Engineering, how we can work effectively, respectively and transparently with Indigenous Communities.

8:30-9:15 AM PDT

Adapting to Clients

Andrew Sorensen, Thurber Engineering

Mandeep Deol, McElhanney

Freda Leong, Associated Engineering

Session Description
As consultants, we often work with a variety of Clients including public entities, private corporations and Indigenous communities. Serving these Clients effectively requires us to be adaptable. Learn from a panel of BC engineering consulting leaders including Andrew Sorensen (Thurber Engineering), Mandeep Deol (McElhanney) and Freda Leong (Associated Engineering) as they discuss their strategies in adapting to different clients.

10:00-10:30 AM PDT

Negotiation Skills

Sany Zein, Jacobs

Session Description

Negotiation skills are a core attribute for successful consultants. These skills are seldom taught in school; as such they often need to be developed. Learn from Sany Zein (Vice President, Jacobs) about how to approach negotiations and have successful outcomes. 

10:45-11:30 AM PDT

How to Self-advocate
Mary-Jane Piggott, KCB
Anne-Marie Langlois, COWI North America

William Johnston, WSP

Session Description
As YPs, we often struggle to self-advocate and make our voices heard in adverse conditions. This session will discuss how to find allies and provide strategies to speak up in challenging situations. Learn from a panel of BC engineering consulting leaders including Mary-Jane Piggott (Klohn Crippen Berger), Anne-Marie Langlois (COWI) and William Johnston (WSP).

11:30-11:45 AM PDT

Networking: Speakers Corner

Join us for a Speakers’ Corner following the panel discussion to ask your burning questions and meet the speakers in a (virtual) face-to-face setting.

1:30-3:00 PM PDT

Influence Change: Initiate, Plan, Sustain
Russel Pollard, Principal, Framework Leadership
Session Description
This session, facilitated by Russell Pollard, Principal at Framework Leadership, aims to support participants in leading or contributing to office-wide responsibilities. It will introduce a structured way of planning for and leading change within an organization to be successful, considering both people and process. Attributes of change-adaptive leadership will be presented. Activities throughout the session will support the application of learning into one’s daily work and industry

5:00-6:30 PM PDT

Networking: Virtual Patio Party
Join us for a Virtual Patio Party, where you will have an opportunity to mingle with the conference speakers and fellow young professionals.

Friday

Sept 24

8 Speakers

3 Networking Events

7:30-8:15 AM PDT

Networking: Coffee with ACEC-BC’s Board Members

Start your morning with a conversation with members from ACEC-BC’s Board of Directors.

10:00-10:30 AM PDT

Career Adaptability

Jayson Walker, Urban Systems

Session Description

Ever wonder about how adaptability can benefit your career? Learn from Jayson Walker, Principal Transportation Engineer at Urban Systems Ltd., how adaptability has added value to his career. He will share his thoughts on career adaptability and how it is valuable to today’s Young Professionals.

10:45-11:15 AM PDT

Imposter moments

Faye Hirshfield, NHC

Brian Yates, Stantec

Session Description
Have you ever felt less competent than others perceive you to be? Many of us have! During this session, Faye Hirshfield (Northwest Hydraulic Consultants) and Brian Yates (Stantec) will discuss their experiences with ‘imposter moments’. In addition to normalising imposter moments, Faye and Brian will provide YPs with tips on how to tackle these feelings and thrive in your career.

11:15-11:30 AM PDT

Networking: Speakers Corner

Join us for a Speakers’ Corner following the panel discussion to ask your burning questions and meet the speakers in a (virtual) face-to-face setting.

1:00-2:00 PM PDT

Creating Inclusive Environments
Marcie Hawranik, President of Canadian Equality Consulting
Session Description
Diverse workforces are essential to foster creative and successful businesses. But diverse workforces cannot thrive without inclusive environments. Learn from Marcie Hawranik, President of Canadian Equality Consulting, how you can make critical steps towards creating an inclusive environment within your workplace.

4:00-4:45 PM PDT

Working Through Economic Extremes
Julia Steele, Golder
Chris Newcomb, Chris Newcomb Consulting
Iain Ward, EXP
Session Description
Many of us will have to work through economic extremes in our careers. 2020-2021 represented a unique economy for many of us. This session will focus on lessons learned from working through past economic extremes. Learn from a panel of BC engineering consulting leaders including Julia Steele (Golder, Member of WSP), Chris Newcomb (Chris Newcomb Consulting) and Iain Ward (EXP).

5:00-5:30 PM PDT

What We Learned about Work from 2020-2021
Jenny Reilly, Jenny Reilly Consulting
Session Description

The global pandemic and social justice movements have dramatically impacted our professional and personal lives over the last two years. This transformative time has changed how we work, where we work from and how we communicate. We have adapted to rapid change and demonstrated high levels of resiliency during an exceptionally difficult period.

In this session Jenny will talk about what we have learned about work in 2020 and 2021. She will help us reflect on what we have experienced, highlight takeaways for the future and lead us in formulating a professional roadmap for success moving forward.

5:30-6:00 PM PDT

Networking: Conference Closing

Gather one last time to wrap up the conference with your colleagues. We will draw prizes for some very lucky participants. Keep in mind you must be present to win any of the amazing prizes that have been provided by our sponsors.