Fairness for Women in Engineering and Geoscience

The gender pay gap in engineering is an issue that affects not just salaries but long-term commitment and satisfaction within the profession. Despite equal qualifications and experience, women still earn less than their male colleagues. This isn’t just unfair—it impacts whether talented women feel motivated to stay in their roles and grow within the industry.

At this summit, you’ll gain valuable tools to address this gap head-on. We’ll explore a Harvard Business Review study that reveals underlying causes and offers actionable strategies for negotiating fair pay. You’ll also learn about the Canada Pay Equity Act, equipping you with knowledge of your rights and how to leverage them. Real-life stories from two professionals who fought for fair pay will provide practical insights into standing up for your worth. And for those exploring new avenues, we’ll discuss the option of building your own business as a route to financial independence.

With the knowledge you’ll gain here, you’ll be empowered to advocate for fair compensation and thrive in a career that recognizes your true worth.

I am proud to be WES 2025 Chair focusing on Fairness for women and underrepresented groups in Engineering and Geoscience.

Our volunteers and I are looking forward to meeting you!

Cailenys Leslie and Kristina Wilson, WES 2025 Chairs

WES By the numbers

1,200+

ATTENDEES

175+

VOLUNTEERS

68+

SPONSORSHIPS

75+

SPEAKERS

7+

YEARS

Keynote

Lessons on Fixing the Female Pay Gap from Harvard Business Review
Speaker: Harriet Tinka
Session 1

Canada Pay Equity Act: laws and regulations supporting your request for a Fair Pay Increase
Speaker: Danielle Goodleaf
Session 2

How we Got a Fair Pay Increase 2 Case Studies: Government and Private Industry
Speakers: Claudia Gomez-Villeneuve and Andrea Marciales
Session 3

Make Your Own Pay: Opening Your Own Engineering/Geoscience Firm
Speaker: Callie Lassinna
30 By 30 Panel

Moderator: Cailenys Leslie
Networking Sessions

2 scheduled networking sessions, plus additional ad-hoc opportunities

Get your ticket to WES 2025

The first 50 individual ticket holders will be entered for a chance to be reimbursed for their purchase (up to $100) and bring a friend for free.

Buy Now!

And don't forget to enter
WES Essay Contest

You Could

Why do I want to obtain my P.Eng. or P.Geo.?

Eligibility Criteria

The contestant must be a legal resident of Canada.
The contestant must identify as a woman.
The contestant must have applied for their P.Eng. or P.Geo. designation to their Canadian provincial engineering regulator between September 15th, 2018 and May 20th, 2025. Earning the P.Eng. or P.Geo. designation during the contest period is not required.
The contestant must submit an entry consisting of an essay and proof of payment; entry guidelines are as outlined below, due on May 20th, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
If the author had the application fees paid for by an employer, they are still eligible to participate in the contest.

Guidelines

The essay and proof of payment must be submitted as a single file in PDF format.
The judges will be looking for passion, originality, word limit, grammar, and descriptive language in answering the essay question.
The essay must be 300 to 500 words in length, not including references.
The essay must include a title bar/header with the name of the author, mailing address, phone number, and email address.
The proof of payment should show the P.Eng. or P.Geo. license application fee to their Canadian provincial engineering regulator.
Only one entry per contestant may be submitted.
All entries and ideas become the property of the Women in Engineering Summit once submitted.
In addition to receiving cash prizes, winners’ names may be published in the Women in Engineering Summit website and shared in associated social media posts.