Monique Lal and Karen Savage are Finalists for the 2022 Women’s Infrastructure Network Awards

Congratulations to RAM’s Manager of Project Management, Monique Lal, and Horizon Engineering‘s President, Karen Savage, for making the short list for the Women’s Infrastructure Network (WIN) 2022 Awards!

The Women’s Infrastructure Network will recognize two outstanding “Women in Infrastructure” in Canada in the following categories: Outstanding Leader, and Emerging Leader.

Monique Lal – Emerging Leader Award Shortlist

Monique was shortlisted in the Emerging Leader category. This category recognizes an exceptional woman who has distinguished herself early in her career in the infrastructure sector, and has demonstrated a pattern of leadership. This award recognizes a woman who has showcased herself to be an emerging leader of the infrastructure industry of tomorrow.

The WIN Emerging Leader will be evaluated against each of the following three criteria:

  1. Leadership The nominee demonstrates early leadership and vision within her profession and within the infrastructure sector or more broadly.
  2. Achievement The nominee demonstrates a high potential in her chosen field, is recognized by her peers, has made a significant contribution to the infrastructure sector, is committed to professional growth, and/or has overcome adversity. For example, this could include but is not limited to: awards, specific project achievements, subject matter expert.
  3. Sponsorship, Mentorship and Community: The nominee serves as a role model or mentor and demonstrates a dedication to the advancement of women and/or the general community. For example, this could include but is not limited to: involvement in equity, inclusion and diversity initiatives, not-for-profit, community programs.

Monique is a Manager of Project Management at RAM with fifteen (15) years of progressive experience in delivering large capital projects. She is experienced in managing projects from conceptual studies through to construction in a variety of industries such as municipal infrastructure, hydro and thermal power generation, pulp and paper, transmission and distribution and oil sands. Monique has extensive experience working with clients in both private and public sectors.
She is recognized for strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills. Monique has a proven track record of effective scope, schedule, budget and resource management on key projects and studies. She has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to develop relationships to foster motivated teams focused on high quality results.

Karen Savage – Outstanding Leader Award Shortlist

Karen was shortlisted in the Outstanding Leader category. This category recognizes a woman who has distinguished herself in both her profession and within infrastructure sector, and has demonstrated a unique ability to guide and inspire others. This award recognizes a woman who has shaped the world we live in through their work in the infrastructure industry, and are trailblazers for women in the infrastructure sector.

The WIN Outstanding Leader will be evaluated against each of the following three criteria:

  1. Leadership The nominee demonstrates leadership and vision within her profession and in the infrastructure sector, and has ‘broken new ground’ or has ‘paved the way’ for women in the infrastructure sector.
  2. Achievement The nominee excels in her field, is widely recognized by her peers, has made a significant contribution to the infrastructure sector, is committed to professional growth, and/or has overcome adversity. For example, this could include but is not limited to: awards, specific project achievements, subject matter expert.
  3. Sponsorship, Mentorship and Community: The nominee serves as a role model, sponsor or mentor and demonstrates a dedication to the advancement of women and/or the general community. For example, this could include but is not limited to: involvement in equity, inclusion and diversity initiatives, not-for-profit, community programs.

Karen has been providing geotechnical engineering services to the British Columbia building industry for three decades. In 1991, she was the charter-chair of the division (of what is now EGBC) for women engineers and in 2007, she was the first woman board member of what is now ACEC-BC. She founded Horizon Engineering Inc in 1997 and was the only woman president of an engineering consulting company in Canada until 2020.
Karen’s hands-on approach and strong knowledge of soil conditions has been appreciated by stakeholders in residential developments, commercial developments, and civil infrastructure works. She is a technical resource consulted by many municipalities with respect to policy relating to geotechnical issues. As well as providing traditional geotechnical design services for foundations, excavations, shoring systems, and pavements, Karen also provides insight into stormwater management, especially as it relates to surface and sub-surface drainage, stormwater infiltration, and sediment and erosion control, especially for LEED projects.

A total of 64 women were nominated for the Outstanding and Emerging Leader categories. Head over to the WIN Awards Website to read the complete list of finalists.