Beyond Microaggressions: Hidden Dynamics and Peer Support in Engineering

An interactive workshop with Ann-Louise Howard, who will provide actionable tools to help create safe and comfortable workplaces for all.

This workshop weaves together two essential elements: research-based insight into the hidden gendered dynamics of engineering and an experiential peer-coaching process that equips participants to address these challenges. Together, these elements create both awareness and practical skills for building sustainable peer support. By linking awareness to action, participants will gain both understanding and practical tools for creating a sustainable, supportive network within WCE Vancouver and beyond.

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Recognize subtle and often-overlooked gendered dynamics in engineering workplaces.
• Understand the impact of these dynamics on themselves and peers.
• Practice a peer-coaching method that they can apply in real-world workplace situations.
• Leave with actionable strategies for supporting one another sustainably.

About Ann-Lousie Howard:

Ann-Louise Howard, PhD. is an organizational researcher and consultant whose award-winning PhD uncovered the hidden, everyday gendered dynamics shaping women’s experiences in engineering. With over 15 years of experience in engineering and leadership roles, she founded Her Work in Engineering and now combines her technical expertise, systems thinking, and facilitation skills to create spaces where women engineers can be heard, supported, and validated.

Her engineering journey began at McGill University, followed by years in the high-tech sector. Early in her career, she experienced firsthand how workplace culture can profoundly affect engagement and mental health—an experience that sparked a lifelong curiosity about organizational life. This curiosity led her to earn a Master’s in Human Systems Intervention and a PhD from Concordia University, where her research, I Didn’t Know it was a Thing Either: Women Engineers’ Experiences of Suffering in the Workplace, opened new conversations about gender and engineering.

Her work has been featured by CBC, The Montreal Gazette, and Concordia University. Today, she shares her research through speaking, consulting, and coaching, inviting new ways to think about what it means to thrive in a profession not designed for women.

When: Tuesday, March 3

• 5:30 PM – Registration
• 6:00–7:30 PM – Workshop
• 7:30–8:30 PM – Networking

Where: Creekside Community Center (Multipurpose Room 4, 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver)

Transportation: Walking distance from Main Street – Science World Station (Expo Line) or Olympic Village Station (Canada Line) and along many bus routes. Paid parking and street parking are available in the area.

Cost: $15 (includes refreshments)

Note that WCE is an inclusive community. While our events are curated for those working in consulting engineering, much of our content will interest those working in similar industries – you are welcome to be part of our community. As always, all genders are welcome and encouraged to attend our events. If you wish to attend and require financial assistance, please reach out to events@wcevancouver.com. We acknowledge that wearing masks in a public indoor setting is not required by public health. However, you are welcome to wear a face-covering of your choice according to your own comfort level.

Find out more about WCE here: https://wcevancouver.com/

Sponsored by:

Thurber provides geotechnical, environmental, and construction materials engineering and testing services for a variety of industries across Canada. Our multidisciplinary expertise allows us to work on problems related to earth, the environment, and construction materials. Each of our offices specializes in serving its regional environment and has the professional skills and laboratory facilities to accommodate the local conditions.

Kiewit Engineering Group Canada ULC (KEGC) brings the capacity and expertise to provide full-service engineering capabilities serving complex multi-disciplinary transportation infrastructure projects across North America. Kiewit Engineering Group employs more than 4,000 people and has served as Engineer-of-Record on more than 200 projects involving civil works in North America.  This team of experienced design and engineering professionals has successfully completed civil, geotechnical, hydrotechnical, and structural design and engineering work for local and technically complex projects, including the BC Highway 5 Reinstatement Program (Three Bridges) project, the BC Highway Reinstatement Highway 1 – Nicomen Bridge project, the Fairview Terminal Expansion 2B:1A project, and the G3 Terminal Vancouver project.  From roadways to bridges to rail, Kiewit constructs and engineers some of the most important and iconic infrastructure projects in North America. Our background as a contractor gives us the unique ability to anticipate the impacts of design on operations and construction and avoid potential disruptions. 

Women in Kiewit’s mission statement is to attract, develop and retain women who are passionate about the construction and engineering industry. Women in Kiewit combines the shared passions to support men and women partnering together, across the organization, as they strive for excellence.