FOR COUNCIL Emily Zhang, P.Eng.
Alberta is navigating through a time of major change and uncertainty as the economic climate remains unstable and many professionals are facing challenging circumstances. I am pleased to see APEGA respond by offering support and professional development geared toward job seekers
This challenge and the message from the vision statement have been on my mind for some time. I have connected with APEGA through volunteer positions at the Calgary Branch, and yet I see many of my peers not clearly understanding the work and value of APEGA. The organization’s primary function is self- regulation, which I believe APEGA does extremely well, but this function can often be taken for granted by Members because much of the work is behind-the-scenes. I wish to support APEGA by more deeply understanding Member needs, listening to the public’s concerns, bridging gaps, and driving results. I am known as a person who can facilitate productive dialogue and action to tackle complex and ambiguous problems. My 10-plus years volunteering for Engineers Without Borders has provided opportunities to facilitate strategy sessions, deliver outreach and learning events, recruit and manage volunteers, influence corporate engagement, and co-chair an international development conference. During my term as chapter Co-President, I’m humbled to have been recognized by the Women’s Executive Network as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the Future Leaders category. Outside of work and volunteering, I love discovering life and outdoor adventures with my family. My husband is an engineer, my five-year-old is set on becoming a scientist who helps people when she grows up, and my three-year-old is up for anything. My husband and I want to demonstrate to our kids the many ways that being involved in the sciences can meaningfully contribute to society and personal fulfillment. APEGA Activities • Master of Ceremonies, Member Induction Ceremonies, Calgary (2011-present) • Member, Nominating Committee (2010-2012) • Member, Calgary Branch Executive and Meetings Committee (2008-2011) • Member, APEGA (2005-present) Affiliations, Corporate or Community Service • Mentor, Women’s Executive Network (2013-2015) • Mentor, University of Calgary Global Engineering Program (2012-2013) • Advisory Board Member, Oikocredit Canada-West (2011-2013) • Advisor, Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Membership Committee, Global Engineering Team, and Calgary Chapter (2010-2011) • Corporate Engagement Lead, EWB Calgary Chapter (2008-2010) • Co-President, EWB Calgary Chapter (2007-2008) • Fundraising Lead, EWB Calgary Chapter (2005-2007) • School Outreach Lead, EWB University of Calgary Chapter (2004-2005) • Finance Manager, EWB University of Calgary Chapter (2000-2003)
and those looking to establish consulting businesses. This kind of response by APEGA demonstrates one of the many important functions that this organization serves, and I would like to be a part of this service in a significant way. Contribution to society is what drives me and is why I am seeking a position on Council. I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary in 2005. I have spent most of my professional career at TransCanada, in a range of roles from design to project management to business strategy. Early in my career, I performed research and development, optimized pipeline systems design, and supported construction of a power plant. I then obtained a project management certificate and moved into the dynamic world of project management. A few years back, my passion for people and organizational development led to the role of Engineer-in-Training Program Manager, and I enjoyed learning from the perspectives of new graduates and coaching them in managing career challenges. That experience heightened my awareness of what young professionals are seeking in their career development and had me thinking about how APEGA may better connect with this cohort. My current role is to support a business transformation undertaking, with a focus on shaping strategy and streamlining processes to enhance how the organization engages with external engineering service providers. I’ve learned that strategic planning is the easier part of my job. Truly enabling organizational excellence and fostering positive supplier relationships through proper stakeholder engagement and change management is the greater challenge. I’ve valued the experience in managing broad stakeholder groups and leading organizational change across North America. These skills are essential as a Council member, because APEGA’s work inevitably requires driving forward-thinking action for our profession and the public, and consulting diverse stakeholders along the way. One of the key challenges, as stated in APEGA’s strategic plan for 2017-2019, is: “APEGA’s ability to uphold the public interest requires a partnership with its Members and Permit Holders. The challenge, therefore, is to ensure that APEGA remains relevant to its membership.” The organizational vision is: “APEGA will earn the confidence of the public and instill pride in its Members.”
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