June 23 is International Women in Engineering Day—a time to celebrate the women shaping our industry and to reflect on how collaboration, inclusion, and mentorship fuel innovation. This year’s theme, Together We Engineer, reminds us that the strongest solutions are created when we bring diverse voices to the table.
At Glotman Simpson, we believe the future of engineering is not only about curiosity and inclusion, but about execution—where ideas are tested, challenged, and made stronger by a team that values every contribution.
Foundations: Early Influences and Lasting Inspiration
For Sujan, engineering began with a spark of wonder. As a child visiting her grandfather—a contractor in her hometown of Odisha, India—she recalls him pointing to a pile of bricks and saying, “These little bricks will become a house soon.” It felt like magic then, but over time, she came to understand it was engineering. That memory continues to shape her approach today.
“There’s space for you here,” she shares with aspiring engineers. “And your voice—your way of thinking—is needed. I’ve been fortunate to learn from others, and I hope to pass that forward—especially to women who are just starting out and might not yet see the space that exists for them in this field.”
Curiosity in Action: Engineering Through Research and Innovation
For Elmira, engineering is about people and progress. Her academic path—a Master’s in Earthquake Engineering followed by a second MSc focused on AI and computer vision in Structural Engineering—reflects a deep interest in both safety and future-forward innovation.
“I’ve always been driven by curiosity and a desire to learn—especially when it comes to making structural engineering safer, while still pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” she says. Her research in automated damage detection points toward a future where decisions are faster, more data-informed, and more resilient.
Haleh shares that same drive. “Engineering transforms curiosity into creating,” she explains. “It’s not just equations and calculations—it’s about people coming together to solve real problems with creativity and precision.” For her, pursuing advanced education—a Master of Science and a Master of Civil Engineering—was never about titles, but was about expanding her impact.
Streamlining for Creativity: Collaboration and Automation
Innovation isn’t always flashy. Sometimes, it’s the thoughtful, behind-the-scenes improvements that make the biggest difference.
Simone, our Automations Lead, thrives on cross-discipline collaboration, partnering with engineers and drafters to simplify daily workflows and reduce manual tasks. “For me, automation is about supporting people,” she says. “I love collaborating with our engineers and drafters to understand where things get stuck and then figuring out how we can smooth that out. Making improvements behind the scenes creates space for more creative design work.”
“Collaborative problem-solving is an intrinsic part of engineering; teamwork is the only way to success” notes James, Associate and our Victoria office lead. “With team members bringing their own diverse experiences and prospectives with them is fundamental to our overall success. Fostering the growth of women engineers is not just an ideal, but imperative for success” he shares.
From Site to Strategy: Field Experience and Constructability
Ayden brings a dual perspective to her work as both a Design and Field Engineer. Time on site has sharpened her ability to visualize and refine structural elements in design. “Working in the field helps me see how our designs are built in practice,” she explains. “It’s incredibly useful for catching elements that might cause issues on site during the design phase—and it’s so exciting to see a project come to life.”
She adds, “Not everything goes as originally planned in complex projects—but those moments are opportunities to grow, ask better questions, and ultimately become a stronger engineer. That mindset—open, collaborative, and always learning—reflects the spirit of teamwork at the heart of great engineering. “
Strength in Mentorship and Inclusive Growth
Research continues to show that diverse teams are more innovative, resilient, and successful. In engineering, this translates to higher performance buildings, efficient design strategies, and better outcomes for the communities we serve.
“As engineers, we follow strict codes and standards, but the core of engineering is problem solving,” Heather shares. “When we invite different voices into the conversation, we open ourselves up to ideas and perspectives we may never have considered. That’s how meaningful solutions happen.”
Mentorship plays a critical role in inclusion and retention; at Glotman Simpson, it is something we’re committed to fostering at all levels.
As a Project Engineer, Amin has spent the past three years mentoring junior engineers. “It’s one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career,” he says. “It’s not just about technical growth—it’s about helping others build confidence, navigate challenges, and find their voice.”
Heather adds, “Everyone deserves to be treated equally and be included, regardless of their race, gender, or background. Different people bring different perspectives, and that is extremely impactful.”
For Rory, our Director of Sustainability, mentorship is about shared growth. “The strongest ideas come from diverse perspectives,” he says. “When we bring different experiences and viewpoints into the conversation, we create more complete, resilient solutions. Mentorship plays a key role in that process. It’s not a one-way relationship; it’s a mutual exchange. While mentees gain insight and guidance, mentors benefit by seeing challenges through fresh eyes.”
He shares, “That dynamic keeps us learning, adapting, and moving forward together.”
Growing Into the Role: Learning by Doing
Georgia is in the early years of her career, but her learning curve has been steep and meaningful, built on a foundation of mentorship and curiosity. After returning full-time from her co-op term, she stepped into a growing role supporting a wide variety of projects.
“I’ve learned so much of my technical knowledge from my colleagues,” she shares. “When it comes to actually designing a building, learning from others has really helped me bridge the gap between university theory and real-world application.”
“I’m learning that confidence doesn’t come before responsibility—it comes from experience. I get so much joy and inspiration from trying new things,” she says. She’s looking ahead to eventually managing her own projects and working directly with client teams, while continuing to learn from those around her.
Looking Ahead: Building the Future, Together
In Canada, as of 2022, women made up just 15% of licensed engineers, and only 19.2% of newly licensed engineers.1 In the U.S., women represent just 15% of the engineering workforce.2 Structural engineering has even fewer women represented.
As an industry, we’re still working toward greater inclusivity, and that effort must be intentional. It means mentoring the next generation of engineers and building project teams that reflect the complexity of the cities we’re shaping.
“Supporting the growth of engineers, especially those who have been historically underrepresented, isn’t just valuable, but essential,” Amin notes. “When different perspectives shape our designs, we catch problems earlier, adapt faster, and improve outcomes.”
At Glotman Simpson, we believe that technical excellence and inclusive culture are not separate—they are interdependent. Our best work happens when everyone feels safe to contribute. When mentorship becomes a true feedback loop—one where women are encouraged to lead, challenge assumptions, ask tough questions, and bring their full expertise to the table—it doesn’t just build diversity. It strengthens our teams and drives better outcomes. Inclusion is embedded in how we work and not treated as an afterthought.
As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate the women of our firm and the strength of engineering together— not just as an ideal, but as a discipline rooted in rigour, relevance, and responsibility.
2 Fictiv