Seeking out EDI Expertise
May 3, 2023
12-1:30 ET
Join us to discuss the process of writing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for equity, diversity, and inclusion services! Our panel will share why EDI expertise is required in the engineering profession, what to look for in hiring an EDI consultant, what consultants wish their clients knew, and how to build meaningful relationships with service providers.
Speakers
Yasemin Tanaçan-Blacklock, MA
Yasemin Tanaçan-Blacklock (she/her) is the Advisor for Equity and Belonging at Engineers Canada, where she works on disbanding systems of marginalization and discrimination in the engineering field. Through her work and volunteerism, she has experience in anti-oppressive education, social justice, political advocacy, feminist international defence and security, and LGBTQIA+ healthcare. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Studies and Gender Studies and a Master’s Degree in Political Studies, with a thesis on the epistemic shifts of Western Muslim feminism in response to 9/11 and the so-called “War on Terror,” both from Queen’s University. Her passions for justice, anti-oppression, relationship building, and (un)learning continue to inform her work in the EDI and decolonization space.
Jocelyn Peltier-Huntley, M. Sc, P. Eng.
Jocelyn Peltier-Huntley is an EDI researcher and professional mechanical engineer with nearly 20 years of experience leading change. Jocelyn has been recognized by Engineers Canada as an EDI Champion and by Vanier Canada for her leadership capacity. Through her business, Prairie Catalyst, Jocelyn is driven to create awareness and remove roadblocks so that all individuals and organizations can realize the benefits of inclusion and achieve their full potential. She helps her clients lead change through uncovering problems, establishing common understanding, and implementing practical solutions. Jocelyn supports leaders to make changes with a consultative and collaborative approach that engages key stakeholders.
Jocelyn has a B.Sc. with distinction in Mechanical Engineering and a M.Sc. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Saskatchewan. She is a 2021 Vanier Scholar and is working with International Minerals Innovation Institute and Mitacs on her PhD project, titled “Activating Allies.” After spending 13 years of her career working at Canadian mining and mineral processing sites in technical and leadership roles, Jocelyn is now expanding her social impact potential by leading and inspiring positive change through EDI research, facilitation, public speaking, and consulting.
Nicole MacDonald, M. Eng, PMP
Nicole is a Senior Project Manager and Team Lead at Colliers Project Leaders, representing Project Owners on capital and infrastructure projects. She primarily works with northern, Indigenous, and not-for-profit clients and communities to deliver impactful projects such as community, cultural, and recreation centres and health care facilities. Nicole champions a variety of Indigenous initiatives within Colliers and is passionate about Indigenous hiring and inclusion. In 2022, Nicole was awarded the Colliers International Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award for this work, as well as her advocacy for the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Calls to Justice, and efforts to create an Indigenous Employee Resource Group. Prior to joining Colliers, Nicole worked in environmental consulting and has completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in Environmental Engineering at Carleton University. She continues to advise on environmental matters on projects and is currently leading Colliers’ Environmental Technical Services team for a large program of public infrastructure projects being delivered across Ontario.
Nicole is the past Chair (and current member) of Engineers Canada's Indigenous Advisory Committee, which provides guidance to Engineers Canada in its journey towards reconciliation in engineering, and in increasing Indigenous representation and inclusion in the engineering profession. Nicole grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has roots in the Mi’kmaq community of Acadia First Nation, as well as other mixed ancestry. She currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her partner Chris and daughter Elli. Nicole is also passionate about health and fitness, takes care of her vegetable garden and chickens, and enjoys the outdoors and riding dirt bikes with family.
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