Candidate for President-Elect, Margaret Allan, P.Eng, P.Geo., FEC, FGC
Candidate Overview
- Professional engineer and geoscientist with more than 35 years of industry experience; extensive travel in support of rehabilitating contaminated sites including working from Calgary, Edmonton, and rural Alberta
- Believes in collaborative processes to engage diverse teams in creative, respectful, and rewarding discussions leading to well-supported outcomes
- More than 12 years of APEGA experience, including service on APEGA Council, the Policy and Standards Committee, the Investigative Committee, and the ethics seminar for Iron Ring ceremonies
Personal Statement
I am a consulting engineer and geoscientist who has lived and worked in Calgary, Edmonton, and rural Alberta while enjoying a rewarding career in the environmental sector. As a dual P.Eng. and P.Geo., I appreciate the special skills and insights of both professions.
The most rewarding part of my career has been helping others to advance their careers, just as others helped me along the way. I am a strong advocate for diverse, collaborative workplaces and delivery of exceptional applied science. I am especially proud of our professionals when they surprise and delight us with creative solutions that not only meet intended use but do so in an innovative way.
My experience with governance began while I was still in university and has expanded to include board roles with a condominium corporation; a privately held consulting company; a municipal subdivision and development appeal board; and APEGA Council. I began volunteering with APEGA in 2008 with service on the Investigative Committee and working with new graduates at the ethics seminars that precede the Iron and Earth Ring ceremonies. Joining APEGA Council has been a rewarding experience, and one that I wish to expand by serving in an executive capacity.
Candidate Resume
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Get to Know the Candidate in Four Questions
What does self-regulation mean to you as a member of APEGA?
Self-regulation is a privilege granted to APEGA by virtue of legislation. This privilege can be taken away, as has happened to some other associations. Our engineers and geoscientists are collectively responsible for ensuring adherence to professional standards and taking responsibility for protecting the public from harm. Maintaining our standards and preserving self-regulating status are important because the alternative could be a mire of regulations that jeopardize the effectiveness and financial viability of businesses that employ engineers and geoscientists.
What would you bring to Council?
As a dual P.Eng. and P.Geo., I am in a position to represent both engineers and geoscientists. Service on APEGA Council and industry experience as a compliance auditor have shown me how updating our policies and standards and implementing our new legislation provide opportunities to improve professional practice and better serve and engage all our professional members.
As the regulator of engineering and geoscience, what challenges does APEGA face?
APEGA has the challenge of managing diverse stakeholders. Key among them are members of the public who expect a duty of care from engineers and geoscientists, since lacklustre work or wrongdoings can have serious consequences. The Alberta government is another key stakeholder because they have the ability to withdraw APEGA’s self-regulation privileges if they believe APEGA has been neglectful in upholding standards. Our registrant members and permit holders are stakeholders who expect APEGA to properly manage and regulate the professions and to be fiscally responsible in performance of these duties.
What is the value of a professional licence with APEGA?
In addition to providing the right to practise one's profession, a licence with APEGA brings behind-the-scenes support for the engineering and geoscience professions. APEGA continually monitors changes on the business and regulatory fronts and proactively assists our members and permit holders with preparing for and implementing changes to protect the public and to keep our professions robust.