Catherine Voytenkov, PEng, PMP

In 2007, I had my first civil engineering co-op in mining, which exposed me to various civil design elements, from site plans to roadway geometric design. Then, I spent the following five co-op terms in highway and roadway detailed design from 2008 to 2011 and took a permanent position with the same company after graduating from the University of Waterloo. Spending nearly a decade with the same firm allowed me numerous opportunities for professional development and new leadership skills, spanning municipal class environmental assessment (MCEA), preliminary and detailed design, construction administration, and large-scale transit infrastructure.

In 2019, I came to Gannett Fleming given the incredible reputation of local leaders, Doug Willoughby and Scott Duggan, who are also great mentors. Gannett Fleming is truly the best in the AEC industry. Our dedication to quality, innovation, and unparalleled customer service set the firm apart, along with a strong emphasis on continuing education and professional development programs. I genuinely enjoy working alongside our passionate, driven professionals. From the thought leadership team to highly skilled employees and world-class project management, this firm is the pinnacle of the industry.

Nowadays, I wear a few different hats. My primary responsibilities include project delivery for MCEA, roadway, and transit infrastructure engineering projects. An equal priority of mine is business development as Gannett Fleming continues its growth trajectory in Canada.

I also supervise a roadway team with various skill levels. It is important to me that we provide leadership opportunities for each person, investing in professional development and mentoring programs. Together, we discuss clear expectations and measurable goals, identify learning experiences that align to their personal passions, and ensure they have the resources and support they need to succeed.

I am grateful for my strong support network at Gannett Fleming that has provided me countless professional development opportunities. This network is built through project collaboration and various committees, all working in tandem to achieve a shared goal through continuous learning. Moreover, my direct supervisor and senior leadership are supportive, transparent, inspiring, and always lead by example.

I am a mentee in the Connected Relationships Mentoring Program, which has paired me with mentors with whom I would otherwise not cross paths. Mentorship programs, such as ours, provide guidance, support, and advice based on mentors’ own experiences, which can help one navigate difficult situations and make better decisions. A mentor is an invaluable asset that can accelerate personal and professional development and learning opportunities. I’m excited to pay it forward soon by mentoring another Gannett Fleming team member.

Over the past few years at Gannett Fleming, I have worked on many transformative transportation projects for our Canada roadway clients, aiming to provide sustainable, safe, and equitable mobility. The most memorable project for me is the Stevenson Road MCEA Study for the City of Oshawa.

The study area is immediately north of the Oshawa Executive Airport and within the Northwood Business Park policy boundary. The study will evaluate and identify a recommended transportation strategy that will successfully address connectivity among all modes of transportation, road safety, and traffic capacity. This environmental assessment and preliminary design assignment requires balanced engineering solutions for the short- and long-term vision of a critical transportation connector surrounded by rich natural and cultural heritage.

Two critical project challenges include sufficient consultation with the well-coordinated local community and developing an interim design and an ultimate design while minimizing throwaways and future construction disruption. Working closely with the city and its public communication department, we have devised a robust public consultation program to foster an open and collaborative dialogue with project stakeholders. I recently led a presentation at the first public information center (PIC) in June, which led to very few additional comments.

Like many North American cities, the Greater Toronto Area is reimagining and reconstructing a metropolitan landscape to reduce our carbon footprint and combat climate change. By using more environmentally friendly modes of transportation, such as public transit, biking, or walking, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, sustainable transportation modes can help alleviate traffic congestion, improve air quality, and promote healthier lifestyles. With the government investing in sustainable transportation infrastructure through new transit facilities and retrofitting complete streets, our roadway team is excited to partner with clients to create a better future, together.

As a civil engineer, it is rewarding to see our team’s designs fully realized, providing immediate benefits to local communities. I love that roadway engineering is a challenging, dynamic field requiring diverse skills, from problem-solving and critical thinking to communication and collaboration. The opportunities to collaborate with other top professionals in transportation and continuously elevate the caliber of my expertise drives my work here.

One of my mentors taught me that there is no truly novel idea. At its core, every idea is built upon previous concepts, experiences, and observations. This does not mean that innovation is impossible. On the contrary, it means that the key to standing out and making an impact lies in taking existing ideas and building upon them in unique and creative ways.

Embracing diversity with an open mind allows us to approach challenges and opportunities with a fresh perspective and breathe new life into existing concepts. Diversity fuels innovation. AEC firms should foster a workplace culture that values and respects diversity by promoting inclusivity and providing opportunities for different perspectives to be heard. This can include things like diversity training programs, employee resource groups, and mentorship programs — all the great things we are already doing.

Develop a passion for continuous learning and effective professional development. As a young professional in the transportation industry, take advantage of any training or educational opportunities that come your way, and don’t be afraid to seek out new challenges that will help you grow professionally. I also wish I had done a rotational training program immediately after graduation to experience the various civil engineering disciplines.

Painting, reading, hiking with my dogs (Abby and Jake), and playing with my cats (Izzie and Lexie).

My husband and I spend a lot of time with our four pets and talking about the pets we may adopt in the future.

I like working on creative fine arts projects and applying my super-active imagination. I mainly work with acrylic, which is less messy, although I do love all mediums, like pastel, charcoal, watercolor, collage, mix, etc. I love the fine arts due to the sensory experience through color, form, composition, and texture. Art itself is cathartic, healing, and expressive. I also find that art resembles engineering, inspiring continuous improvement and experimenting.

Long walks with my dogs along the lake, but they don’t always like it! I find nature is the best medicine, and so I try to spend as much time immersed in it as possible.