Our developing professionals partner with Engineers Without Borders to drive impact

At the heart of Stantec, we design with community in mind; and our partnership with Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) exemplifies that promise. Engineers Without Borders is an internationally renowned, non-profit organization that channels the full potential, creativity, and innovation of engineers around the world to find sustainable solutions to empower communities facing poverty and inequity. With hundreds of chapters around the world, EWB steps in when communities cannot fund the costs of consultant-led solutions or even develop a solution for their community need. Stantec team members from across the globe are already involved in EWB initiatives, so we sat down with Mayra Giraldo, a process engineer in training with our Atlanta, GA office, to discuss their projects and why they volunteer.

Mayra

“I love what I do, but I’ve always wanted to give more to the community,” says Mayra, a Stantec employee of four years.

Through her involvement with EWB-USA, Mayra is helping a community in Northern California develop their water infrastructure to provide residents with clean drinking water that is free from arsenic. Currently in the feasibility stage, the project feels more rewarding with each day. “We are doing what we are doing to improve people’s lives,” Mayra says.

The impact of watching our Stantec team join forces to offer solutions to communities in different countries and time zones speaks volumes to our corporate values and their alignment with EWB. “I find it amazing to watch global team members come together and reach all communities, no matter location or size,” Mayra reflects.

Mayra’s involvement with EWB—it’s led to increased confidence in vendor management, an expansive network of colleagues, enhanced leadership skills, and exposure to different fields of engineering. “When you commit to something, you better be able to deliver. Don’t overstretch,” she cautions.

Beyond EWB-USA, Mayra, an office social committee member, was also a founding member of her local DPG chapter established in late 2019. Though COVID-19 threw a wrench into their plans, Mayra’s spirits are still high, “We had limited opportunity to offer in-person events, but we are hopeful to reignite the chapter with a kick-off event soon.”

Mayra is hoping to grow into being a technical expert within the Industrial Water group and, one day, be a part of EWB projects in Africa or South America building wells and providing access to clean drinking water, furthering her personal impact on our global communities.

Learn more about the Stantec Developing Professionals Group, and see other ways they are supporting professional development for their members.