KATARINA BOHAICHUK, 2023 WINNER

1. What led you to pursue engineering, and how did your perception of the profession change over time?
Initially, I was certain that engineering wasn’t for me—even though I loved STEM. I had no female role models in the field and believed the stereotype that engineers had to be mechanically inclined, tool-loving men. It wasn’t until I joined the WISEST Summer Research Program that my perspective changed. Meeting like-minded women and seeing women succeed in STEM inspired me to explore my options, and that’s how I discovered materials engineering, which I now love.
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2. Was there a person or experience that helped you realize engineering could be your path?
Absolutely. The advisors and mentors from WISEST played a huge role—they connected me with women in various STEM fields, which opened my eyes to new possibilities. I also remember job shadowing my dad, an engineer, in high school. I met a female engineer on his team who told me that many women leave the profession and encouraged me not to give it up if I chose that path. Her words stuck with me and have motivated me to persevere.
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3. Why is female representation important in engineering, and what role do you see yourself playing in the profession’s future?
Representation changes everything. It helps young women see what’s possible. Every time a woman chooses to stay in engineering, she becomes a role model—just like the one I met years ago. I want to be that role model for others, especially through volunteer work with WISEST. Earning my P.Eng. means more than a credential—it’s a symbol of resilience and a commitment to shaping a more inclusive and inspiring culture in engineering.


AMANDA PINTO, 2023 WINNER

1. What motivated you to pursue environmental engineering and your P.Eng.?
Coming to Canada as a teenager in 2010, I knew I wanted to make my parents proud by becoming an environmental engineer. That dream stayed with me, and over the years, I’ve built the foundation—earning my degree from the University of Guelph and working as a Water Resources Engineering Intern at Crozier. My work has given me the technical and leadership experience needed to take the next step: earning my P.Eng. It’s a goal I’ve held for years, and it now feels within reach.
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2. What does obtaining your P.Eng. mean to you, personally and professionally?
Getting my P.Eng. would be a major milestone—it would officially allow me to call myself an engineer and take full professional responsibility for my work. It represents trust, recognition, and commitment to public safety. It’s also a step forward in my career, opening doors for growth within my company and the wider industry. As a South Asian woman in a male-dominated field, it’s about more than a title—it’s a symbol of how far I’ve come and the example I hope to set for others.
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3. Why is diversity and inclusion in engineering so important, especially for women and underrepresented groups?
Representation matters deeply in shaping the future of engineering. Women pursuing licensure help increase the number of female professional engineers and bring essential perspectives to the profession. That’s why I serve as the 30 by 30 Chair for the Grand River Chapter of PEO—to support and encourage women on their path to licensure. By earning my P.Eng., I hope to inspire younger generations, showing them that with passion and resilience, they too can thrive in engineering and lead with confidence.


YUANG-HAN (TIFFANY) CHANG, 2023 WINNER

1. What inspired you to pursue your P.Eng., especially coming from a non-traditional path in high-tech?
As an aspiring Product Manager in software, I once felt like I had to downplay my background in process engineering. But I’ve come to embrace it. My systems-thinking mindset adds real value to my product work, especially in designing software the same way we’d approach designing physical systems—with intention, structure, and quality. Pursuing my P.Eng. is about honoring that foundation and showing that engineering skills translate powerfully into the tech world.
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2. Why is it important to bring an engineering mindset—and licensure—into software and tech?
In tech, speed often overshadows rigor. But the engineering mindset prioritizes user value and quality. I use my training to break down complex work into manageable steps and mitigate risk—just like in traditional engineering disciplines. With sensitive financial data at the core of our platform, the duty of care I owe our users is serious. Licensure reinforces that responsibility, holding me to a professional standard that protects people, systems, and data integrity.
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3. Why should diversity, ethics, and licensure matter for people in emerging tech roles?
Diverse voices in tech lead to better outcomes—especially when we’re designing products people rely on every day. Pursuing licensure as a woman and someone outside the typical developer path helps expand what engineering looks like. It signals that ethical responsibility and thoughtful design apply across disciplines. My goal is to contribute to a more inclusive and accountable future in tech, where people of all backgrounds feel empowered to lead with integrity.