From Blueprints to Breakthroughs: The Women Driving Innovation at Lauren

While engineering has traditionally been a male-dominated field, women in the profession are continually breaking barriers, driving innovation, and redefining what is possible. At Lauren, we take pride in having talented female engineers and designers on our team who are shaping our future.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we explored the inspiring personal journeys and professional experiences of three of Lauren’s incredible women engineers, diving into their unique stories. Hayley Ball, Bahar Mohagheghfard, and Natasha Eden shared their motivations, challenges, and vision for the future of women in our industry.

Engineers-in-Training (EIT) Bahar Mohagheghfard and Natasha Eden, bring fresh perspectives and invaluable innovative thinking to their various disciplines and teams. As they navigate the early stages of their careers, their enthusiasm and knowledge of current industry trends inform and elevate their collaboration on project work.

As a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary, Bahar’s journey into engineering was sparked by her knack for tackling challenging problems and her desire to impact her community positively.  "What inspired me to become an engineer was being able to move through challenging problems and offer solutions, making an impact on society and communities by putting my knowledge into practice," she shares.

Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of a supportive work environment. This drive will help her immensely as she accumulates work experience and refines her technical skillset over the next three to four years to pursue her P.Eng. designation.

These qualities are essential in Canada’s engineering workplaces because, despite ongoing efforts to recruit and retain women engineers, Engineers Canada reported in 2020 that only 14.2% of their total national membership were female-identifying and just one-fifth (20.6%) of newly licensed engineers identified as women.

Starting out in any industry can be intimidating, and imposter syndrome can weigh heavily on anyone – especially for a young woman starting in such a male-dominated field. Natasha Eden, who graduated in 2022 from the Schulich School of Engineering at U of C, believes that the key to young women combating these issues is being confident in their own unique perspectives and problem-solving skills. “Engineering can be challenging, and you might find yourself in environments where you're one of the few women. Don’t let that discourage you; each and every perspective brings value,” says Eden. “Advocate for yourself. Don’t be afraid to speak up, take on leadership roles, and showcase your work. Your contributions matter, and your voice is important. This was hard as someone starting out, but with the right team, you will be proud of the work you put forth!”

Natasha’s confidence in herself and her abilities as a young woman in engineering stems from the most significant role model and mentor in her life, her mom. “She came to this country from the Czech Republic as a 20-year-old single mom with very little and had to figure everything out on her own. Her resilience, work ethic, and determination to create a better life for herself and her family have been nothing short of inspiring. She taught me that no matter how difficult the circumstances, persistence and a positive attitude can lead to success. Growing up, I witnessed her navigate adversity with grace and strength, and that shaped my approach to challenges in life and my career.”

All three of our female engineers equated their ongoing success to the mentors and role models they have had in their lives. SCWIST (The Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology), the not-for-profit group specializing in improving Canadian women's presence and influence in STEM, states that mentorship plays a pivotal role in STEM-related industries when the gender gap still prevails. Mentorship helps build confidence among women in the workforce by providing advice and support, career advancement opportunities, confidence building and overall empowerment. Mentorship is crucial for creating a balanced representation in STEM fields.

This year is Hayley Ball’s 10-year anniversary of receiving her P.Eng. designation. Hayley is one of Lauren’s more experienced female engineers, having received her Bachelor of Applied Science at UBC, specializing in materials engineering, in 2009. Looking back on what inspired her to pursue engineering was simply stated as, “I loved solving problems.” 

Hayley advises young women entering the industry to be open to exploring different disciplines, areas and industries. “You don't have to map out your entire career right away.” Given the engineering industry's traditionally male-dominated nature, the pressure to have a detailed career plan can be particularly intense. However, it's essential to recognize that a successful career in engineering doesn't require having every step mapped out from the beginning. Hayley recommends that young women focus on building meaningful connections with the people they are working with and be open to learning and collaborating.

Taking what we have learned from the inspiring journey and achievements of these three remarkable women at Lauren, let's take a moment to reflect on the importance of supporting and empowering women in all STEM-related fields.

Join us on March 8 as we celebrate women's achievements, amplify their voices, create empowering opportunities, and mentor future female leaders.

In honor of this commitment, Lauren will be donating to the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST).