expresso 14 - en

expresso 14 | winter 2018

“Our clients and key business stakeholders are part of our communities , they’re our neighbors.

Isabelle grew up hearing about construction projects. Her dad, who worked as a carpenter and estimator for the construction or retrofit of commercial and institutional buildings, was proud of his accomplishments. Whenever she could, Isabelle would visit the construction sites where her father worked and, when he brought construction plans home, she’d ask if she could perform the material quantity calculations. Fresh out of Sherbrooke University with her degree in engineering, Isabelle showed up for work and was surprised to see that her supervisor was … a woman! That woman, who belonged to a generation that saw very few women choosing engineering as a profession, has had a tremendous influence on Isabelle’s career. “She had a degree in engineering physics from the École Polytechnique where she was the only woman in her group. For her, as for me, gender is irrelevant and does not define what we are. We’re engineers, plain and simple!” Isabelle has never lost sight of her goal: to work on projects, and play a key part in their execution, as a municipal engineering consulting expert. She wants to be known for her thoroughness and for her commitment to ensuring that her expert services are up to her clients’ needs and expectations. Agent of change in her community Agent of change. Now that’s not a title you’re likely to find on an EXP business card! But it’s certainly one that would be appropriate on Isabelle’s. In addition to the solid reputation she has built through her impressive urban infrastructure engineering work in Quebec’s Lanaudière and Mauricie regions, and her 23 years at EXP, Isabelle has also made a name for herself in her community. There she is known for her perseverance and the active part she plays in supporting community initiatives. going beyond the title Isabelle Mireault, P.Eng., MEng. Director, Urban Infrastructure | Joliette, Quebec

It all started when she got involved in the implementation of a childcare center in her small municipality. She has since continued to contribute by sitting on the boards of a variety of organizations. They each helped her grow as a person, and allowed her to gain additional insight into her community’s needs. A sustainable solution for citizens Located a little over an hour’s drive north of Montreal, surrounded by forests and lakes, the municipality of Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez is a popular vacation destination. Faced with an environmental issue resulting from the absence of a municipal waste water management system, the municipality called on experts in the engineering field to help implement sanitation solutions. Familiar with the workings of municipal bodies, and the administrative and technical requirements specific to sanitation projects, Isabelle went to work and EXP got the job. “Our clients and key business stakeholders are part of our communities, they’re our neighbors. We meet them everywhere, at the restaurant or walking down the street. It’s the same for our projects. We see them, we experience them … and they make us proud.” Acting as project manager, Isabelle worked closely with municipal authorities and the different teams of professionals, setting the pace throughout every phase of the plan. The project gave her the opportunity to leverage her knowledge of government requirements and municipal constraints, and helped master the art of managing a major construction project. The experience has only strengthened her desire to find solutions to help municipalities optimize their funding.

Infrastructure projects connect and enhance our communities in rural and urban environments.

women at EXP | 19