Changing Directions Temporarily

I am taking a bit of a turn from consulting and heading back into the employment world temporarily as I have accepted a position with APEGA as their EDI Manager. I’ve known about the good work APEGA does in Alberta for a very long time since my father has been a member with them whenever we’ve lived in Alberta.

In my new role I will be carrying on the work that was started by the previous EDI Manager who I am temporarily replacing until Spring 2026. APEGA’s EDI focus is on increasing membership of women and other underrepresented groups so I am going to be incorporating all the knowledge and experience I have gained over the past decades in these areas to help them move the needle along.

Inspiration

My manager, Mohamed El Daly, won Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner of the Year through the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion which tells me the good work at APEGA has been happening for some time. APEGA has committed to the goal of 30 by 30 which means they intend to goal to increase the number of women in engineering and geoscience professions by 30 per cent by the year 2030. As part of their strategy to reach that goal they have an established the “Women in APEGA Advisory Group” who I will be meeting and look forward to working with.

Many of my readers will know of me through my work with municipalities for almost 20 years starting on the City of Grande Prairie’s Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Committee, as Program Manager for Welcoming and Inclusive Communities for the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (now Alberta Municipalities), as a Diversity and Inclusion Specialist for the Cities of Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Kamloops, as well as my consulting work with organizations like Service Canada, Volunteer Lethbridge, and various post-secondary institutions. My transition to working with APEGA presents a terrific opportunity to experience how another sector approaches its EDI work - how I can contribute to and learn from them.

Increasing the representation of women and other underrepresented groups in engineering and geosciences is essential for several reasons:

Enhancing Innovation and Problem-Solving - Diverse teams bring varied perspectives, experiences, and problem-solving approaches, leading to more creative and effective solutions. Engineering and geosciences tackle complex global challenges, such as climate change and infrastructure development, where diverse viewpoints improve outcomes; the viewpoints of women, Indigenous Peoples, immigrants for example.

Addressing Labour Shortages - Many regions - provinces and countries - face a shortage of skilled engineers and geoscientists. Expanding participation among underrepresented groups can help meet industry demands and ensure a robust workforce for the future.

Increasing Equity and Social Justice - Historical barriers have limited access for women, Indigenous peoples, and other marginalized groups in the fields of engineering and geosciences. Improving representation helps dismantle systemic biases and creates fair opportunities for all.

Improving Workplace Culture and Inclusivity - When engineering and geoscience organizations prioritize diversity, they foster more inclusive workplaces, reducing discrimination and increasing retention rates among underrepresented professionals.

Enhancing Public Trust and Community Impact - Projects in engineering and geosciences often impact diverse communities. When professionals reflect the populations they serve, they are better equipped to design solutions that address the needs of all communities equitably and safely.

Boosting Economic Growth - Diverse workforces contribute to stronger economies. Studies show that companies with greater gender and ethnic diversity perform better financially, demonstrating the economic benefits of inclusive practices.

I am truly looking forward to the next 15 months of learning and impacting EDI practices in a new environment. In the meantime I will continue my blog and adding interesting innovative resources to my website.

Tymmarah (Tymm) Mackie, MA

Founder & President, Fostering Diverse Communities Canada