International Women in Engineering Day
Diversity is in our DNA
Leading by example
We recognize and promote diversity and inclusion initiatives internally and externally. We establish controls for all executives.
Recruit
We attract, hire and onboard a diverse workforce comprised of individuals of varying gender, race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other attributes.
Include
We adapt our policies and practices to remove systematic barriers to the diversity and inclusion we aspire to.
Develop
We ensure equal rights to career advancement and opportunities to grow within our diverse workforce. We provide support and development opportunities for all employees in order to support their career plan.
Meet Our Engineers
Amy Bates
What made you want to become an engineer?
"As a young adult, I started my career as an entry-level planner in aerospace sheet metal fabrication. I did not realize the job would lead me to a career in engineering. In my first few months, I was paired with several experienced planners and manufacturing engineers — all of whom were male. Because of my gender, some of them treated me as though I were unable to perform my work — but I knew I could work as well as or even better than them. I knew that gender was not a prerequisite for being good at the job."
"Because the job was exciting to me, I fought hard to prove my worth in my position. I loved both the application of the scientific method daily and the challenge of solving complex issues. I took the projects others did not want and took advantage of all the training offered by the company. I also returned to school to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing and Industrialization. Today, as a Methods Engineering Manager, I lead, teach, and mentor a diverse team of engineers committed to solving problems. The best part of my job is helping teams find solutions to complex manufacturing problems through the hands-on application of the scientific method."
What would you say to girls considering a career in engineering?
"Your gender has nothing to do with your ability. Engineering is a fun and rewarding career. We have made great strides in making the engineering world much more inclusive for women and we will continue to do so every day. Believe in yourself and do not give up. Find a community of like-minded colleagues that will help you with both complex engineering problems and in navigating any adversity you may encounter. If engineering is what you want to do, the only thing you will regret is not doing it!"
Arlene Beisswenger
What made you want to become an engineer?
"I can’t say that I always wanted to be an engineer. Like many young people, I didn’t know what an engineer did (even though my father was one). I liked all kinds of things and was interested in everything, so to be honest, I decided to study engineering because I thought it would open the most possibilities. Even then, I didn’t initially finish in engineering but came back and completed my degree later."
What would you say to girls considering a career in engineering?
"An engineering degree will open doors. Don’t worry too much about which field of engineering you study; you will probably change career paths more than once. Lean in, ask lots of questions, and learn all you can; engineering can be an interesting career where you are continually learning while working with smart people and contributing to great and exciting projects."
Theresa Daly
What made you want to become an engineer?
"At a young age, I fell in love with space and the space shuttle because of a family member who brought home NASA medals from his involvement with the International Space Station. My dad used to take me to air shows and I loved seeing the Snowbirds zoom about and hear the sonic booms, so in my heart, I knew I had to do something with aircraft. I liked math and science and my mom suggested to me to try engineering. I took that recommendation and went to visit engineering schools, and the rest is history. Now, I get to be even more close up to the aircraft we build and fly."
What would you say to girls considering a career in engineering?
"'The only person who gets to decide what you do is you'. If you love to create, lead, think outside the box, solve problems and make something new, engineering is absolutely for you. Remember that everything in this world is possible only because an engineer designed it! You can work in so many different fields and anywhere in the world. The possibilities are endless."
Liza Lyon
What made you want to become an engineer?
"For as long as I could remember, I always wanted to be a fighter pilot. As I grew older and realized that my home country of Trinidad and Tobago did not have an Air Force, I gave up on that dream — despite getting accepted into the United States’ Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. My other passion has always been math and science experimentation. I loved building Lego and, when no-one was looking, taking things apart to see how they work. My first exposure to electrical engineering was when the battery on my father’s car died and the alarm kept going off. I reviewed the manual and figured out which fuse to pull to stop the alarm until my dad was able to take it to the mechanic; I was only 10 at the time. With this love of math and science as well as my desire to be a fighter pilot, I chose the next best thing: designing aircraft and being at the forefront of advanced technology. I graduated high school, got accepted into Concordia University and the rest was history."
What would you say to girls considering a career in engineering?
"If you love creativity, mysteries, being on the leading edge of technology, and making things people need or want, and if you have an analytical mind and are good with math and science, engineering is the place for you to explore all these exciting opportunities. There are so many different areas in engineering for you to explore and learn. I promise: you will never get bored and will always be challenged."
Nona Nobari
What made you want to become an engineer?
"For as long as I remember, I had a strong imagination. As a kid, I enjoyed learning and doing artwork, painting and music; on the other side, I was fascinated by math and physics. As I got old enough to realize the necessity of having a job, I explored options that could combine both sides. Soon, I realized, in most engineering fields, you can unleash your imagination to envision a design, then give it life by passing through the jungle of physics theories and mathematical equations. Wonderful — I had found the one!"
"I soon finished my undergraduate studies before immigrating to Canada to follow my academic dream of studying at McGill University. And then, what could have been better than getting hired at Bombardier? Since joining Bombardier 10 years ago, I have always felt profoundly fortunate to be an engineer, putting to work imagination, intellect and experience and to be working on innovative products for such a leading company."
What would you say to girls considering a career in engineering?
"Engineering is fun and definitely needs us. Many products are just better these days for what we, the girls, have brought to the game. Do not let being a girl or woman define your limits. Set your imagination free; let it fly high and far, fearlessly. The sky is the limit!"
Mayra Ponce
What made you want to become an engineer?
"When I was a child, I never imagined I would be an engineer someday. I only knew that the view of airplanes in the sky always captivated me. Growing up, it became clearer when my dad, a civil engineer, exposed me to his extraordinary construction projects. This planted the seed to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering in México, because I wanted to make airplanes! Later at Bombardier, I embarked on a professional journey spanning from Querétaro to Toronto, collaborating with brilliant minds in engineering who, dedicated to creating exceptional aircraft, were able to share their knowledge."
"As a female engineer, I’m aware of the limited representation — especially in my home country, where it remains below 20%. I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support from mentors throughout my journey and I understand the significance of their encouragement. In engineering, women often find themselves as the lone presence in the room so peer support becomes critical. I believe that strong support systems can enhance a woman's chance of success, enabling her to make substantial contributions to the industry at large."
What would you say to girls considering a career in engineering?
"Always start from a place of strength and confidence. Never stop learning, trust your abilities and don’t be afraid to ask questions. And above all, remember to support other women on your journey, for together we are stronger!"
Heather Thorson
What made you want to become an engineer?
"I was always interested in math and science and studying aerospace engineering seemed like a means of moving away from a small town and into the big world of opportunity. Initially, I felt torn between choosing my analytical side over my creative side, and I worried that engineering would not allow for creativity. I quickly found that this field tapped into that creative side; engineering involves complex problem-solving in which we must find a perfect balance or compromise. An engineering degree opens doors to a wide range of career paths, and I am glad I saw that potential in high school when I chose this route."
What would you say to girls considering a career in engineering?
"Engineering needs females: your perspectives, your talents and your creativity. It may seem like a field that has little representation of you as a person but that is exactly why you would excel. In every dynamic I have encountered in aviation and in engineering, being able to come at the situation with a different mindset, perspective and thought-process has led to a better solution."
Eunice Jazmin Trejo
What made you want to become an engineer?
"Since I was little, I always loved aircraft; my parents used to take me to the airport to watch planes land and take off. I knew since a very young age I wanted to study something related to that field. As I was growing up, I also wanted something that not only I would feel passionate about but that also had salary potential and prestige. I did my research on what careers that met those criteria and found that aeronautical engineering was an awesome match! It had everything: potential to grow professionally and financially and to make my dream of working closer with aircraft come true."
What would you say to girls considering a career in engineering?
"I would advise girls considering a career in engineering that it is not an easy road; you will face lots of challenges and you won’t have it served to you on a plate. But be patient and work hard. It’s amazing what we can do when we put our heart and soul into it and nothing can compare to achieving your dreams!"
