All Candidates Virtual Town Hall Recap

Two weeks ago, OSPE held two virtual Town Halls so members could hear from the candidates running for election onto OSPE’s Board of Directors. OSPE’s elections are structured to ensure a turnover of one-third of board members each year, and therefore, there are four open positions for a three-year term. In addition, for 2021, we have one open position for a one-year term.

At each of the Town Halls, candidates were given a few minutes to introduce themselves, followed by a question period moderated by the Chair of OSPE’s Nominations Committee, Anna Gkalimani, P.Eng.

The candidates for the 2021 OSPE Board of Directors Election include:

1-Year Term Candidates 3-Year term Candidates

The candidates’ opening statements included detail on their individual backgrounds, expertise, and what kind of engineering issues are most important to them. To hear more about each of the candidates, you can read each of their statements at the links above or watch the Town Hall recordings below.

After opening remarks, the moderator moved into question period where she asked for each of the candidates’ opinions on topics relating to OSPE’s direction and the engineering profession. Some of the questions included:

  • How do you believe OSPE can help foreign trained engineering professionals who feel isolated?
  • What do you see as the biggest challenges that engineers are facing today that OSPE should be addressing?
  • Do you think OSPE should expand into member seminars that address the technical and ethical professionalism of engineers?
  • What do you feel are some of the gaps that need to be identified between OSPE and PEO?
  • What would you like to accomplish in your first year on the OSPE Board?

Following question period, the Town Hall concluded with each candidate answering why they are proud to be an OSPE member, along with some time for closing remarks.

 

Why are you proud to be an OSPE member?

Shane Ghouralal, P.Eng.: I am an OSPE member because leading, collaborating with industries and peers and advocating for engineers in our communities drives innovation, growth and discussion that develops a strong and sustainable society that we can be proud of.

Stephanie Holko, P.Eng.: I’m an OSPE member because I’m proud to be an engineer and OSPE is addressing issues that are lifting up our profession. Engineering is important for society and it should reflect society. An evidence-based approach is one I fully support because it can only benefit society.

John-Erick Rempillo: I am proud to be a member of OSPE because I’m proud to be an engineer.

Jerome James, P.Eng.: I am an OSPE member because I believe in supporting the profession I am a part of. I’m interested in seeing the profession grow and be sustained and have the respect that it deserves in the realm of professions in Ontario. I believe that being a part of the advocacy body promotes support of your profession.

Yousef Kimiagar, P.Eng.: I’m proud to be an OSPE member because it is providing me the opportunity to pay back to the profession and society. Without being a member of OSPE I might be able to do that, but it would be much more limited. OSPE provides me the broader opportunity to pay back my dues to the profession. When I was younger, someone did the same to me and now it’s my turn to do the same.

Kam Leong, P.Eng.: I am an OSPE member because I like to be able to advocate for engineers and to publish our findings in white papers. Like Yousef, I also am an OSPE member because I want to give back to the profession.

Peter Marcucci, P.Eng.: I’m an OSPE member because I believe OSPE adds value to our profession by being a strong voice for engineers among the public, in industry, to the government and to the PEO, our regulator. That’s why I’ve supported OSPE since the beginning.

Dr. Marilyn Powers, P.Eng.: I am an OSPE member because OSPE provides me with a place to network and communicate with other engineers. I work with a lot of non-engineers, and have for most of my career, so at this point in my career, I want to give back and be able to work with the younger engineers, especially with ones who are on paths like mine.

Irene Sterian, P.Eng.: I am an OSPE member because OSPE is pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an engineer, innovator, a problem solver, and ultimately a leader in society.

Oliver Xiao, P.Eng.: I am an OSPE member because I want to be a part of this great community and to be a part of the advocacy for our profession.

 

To hear full statements from your 2021 candidates above, please watch the Town Hall videos. For more on the elections process, deadlines, and candidates, click here

OSPE Members in good standing have until Friday, April 16, end of day, to cast your vote in this year’s OSPE Board of Directors Election. For more information, please comment down below, or send an email to ambassador@ospe.on.ca.

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