The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Scholarship program offers three scholarships of $7,500 each annually to provide financial assistance to engineers returning to university for further study or research in a field other than engineering. Candidates must be accepted or registered full-time in a Faculty other than Engineering. The field of study chosen should favour the acquisition of knowledge pertinent to enhancing the performance of the candidate in the engineering profession.
Meet the 2023 recipients of the Engineers Canada – TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Scholarship
Martina Riessner, P.Eng.
University of British Columbia
Master of Business Administration
“It’s important to build a breadth of knowledge and to engage with professionals across many disciplines. This allows us to view problems from new perspectives and to collaboratively develop innovative solutions.”
Pursuing an MBA is equipping Martina Riessner with tools to make a positive impact not just nationally, but globally. Riessner recently undertook a project to work with a non-profit organization in South Africa to make recommendations on how to connect corporations with local artisan businesses in the townships. Riessner’s team conducted secondary research and analysis over the course of two months to gain an understanding of the economic and social challenges in the country and spent two weeks in Cape Town meeting with key stakeholders and visiting low-income communities. Not only is Riessner pursuing an MBA to become a more effective leader, but she wants to inspire engineering companies to embrace ethical management practices and promote a culture of innovation and growth. “I am eager to apply the knowledge and skills I acquire through my MBA studies to make a meaningful impact in the industry and contribute to the development of a diverse and forward-thinking engineering community,” Riessner says. With a background in engineering design and construction management, combined with a growing business acumen, Riessner is well positioned to act as a consultant and advisor on major capital projects. Beyond Riessner's studies, she is proud of her work as a volunteer and an executive team member at the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies (ACEC-BC) and Toastmasters International. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Riessner organized and hosted free virtual events that aimed to empower students and young professionals to navigate early career challenges with confidence, while also fostering a sense of community during a time of isolation. “I found it very rewarding to be able to help others in their career journeys, and I think that an MBA will help me to achieve my potential as a leader and to make a positive contribution in my community,” Riessner says.
Sean Decloux, M.Eng., P.Eng., PMP
University of Toronto
Master of Business Administration
“Engineers are the holders of powerful analysis and decision-making tools. I believe that these analytical tools, manipulated to suit the unique needs of non-engineering fields, can be extraordinarily valuable.”
The breadth of engineering provides opportunities to explore other disciplines and interests. Sean Decloux is using this scholarship to tap into his curiosities about the business side of engineering projects and the firms that undertake them. The completion of his MBA will contribute to his enhanced financial, economic, and management skills – Expertise that will be in high demand to deploy infrastructure engineering projects that meet Canada’s current and future challenges. Since graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering, Decloux has worked in a setting that exposed him to the implementation (design and construction phases) of infrastructure projects. “Prior to my involvement, other experts have already assessed the project’s feasibility, created a viable business case, and secured funding,” Decloux says. In the future, he’d like to improve the efficiency and quality of how capital projects are selected, implemented, and executed. Decloux’s engineering experience coupled with the knowledge acquired from his MBA will pave the way to this goal. “I do not consider my pursuit of an MBA a career pivot away from engineering. I consider it to be an opportunity to augment my engineering skills with business skills and accelerate my journey along a path that I have already forged,” Decloux says.
Wayne Qin, P.Eng.
University of Alberta
Doctor of Medicine
“I don’t think you ever truly transition out of engineering; it’s simply an extension. Your skills and experiences will carry forward with you and you’ll keep applying them no matter where you go.”
Engineers and medical professionals frequently work together for endeavors such as developing therapies (devices and pharmaceuticals) or analyzing large amounts of clinical data (imaging algorithms and simulations). As an engineer, previously working as a process and controls engineer at a refinery, Wayne Qin decided to explore this overlap and pursue a degree in Medicine. “Bringing an engineering background to fields where they’re typically not found adds an additional perspective that makes advancements more robust,” Qin says. With this unique position, Qin hopes to gain clinical exposure and experience, that will help identify potential improvements in existing medical technologies and contribute to the ever-accelerating advancements in the field. “Whether it’s new materials in appliances, improved imaging technology, or improved manufacturing techniques that allow for reduced cost and improved access, engineering principles underscore many aspects of the medical field,” Qin adds. Reflecting on the many paths engineering can take you, Qin was especially inspired by stories from the medical field, challenges and triumphs faced, the tools and knowledge required, and personal connections forged to take a leap into this next chapter. “Something about creating a solution to problem, improving a perceived inefficiency, or making someone’s life a bit better with your mind and hands scratches that itch in my brain just right,” Qin says.
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