Christine Plourde

In December 1989, Christine Plourde was about to enter her final semester of Civil Engineering studies at the University of New Brunswick and was just completing a year as President of the Student Branch of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineering.

During this same time, the first National NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering was preparing to begin her term at UNB. Shockingly, her first official duty would be to attend the combined funeral service for 6 of the female engineering students killed on December 6th and she asked Christine to accompany her. This had a profound and lasting impression on Christine.

Ms. Plourde is now a licensed Professional Engineer in the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, most recently working as a Senior Technical Specialist in human health risk assessment and contaminated sites management. Her guidance and collaboration on complex challenges is often called upon by colleagues and clients. She has been part of the Atlantic Partners in Risk Based Corrective Action (PIRI) subcommittee on evaluation of contaminated site professional qualifications and has presented short courses on Contaminated Site Management at. In 2018, she was appointed to GHD North America’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, working to build a culture of inclusion at the consulting firm. Most recently, she was appointed as Engagement Chair for GHD North America’s Women@GHD employee resource group.

She has dedicated a significant amount of her time to representing her profession and is a passionate and enthusiastic ambassador for the engineering and geosciences professions in New Brunswick. She feels that both roles are key to ensuring competent and ethical practice and to maintaining public confidence in the professions.

Christine is a Past President of APEGNB and has chaired and/or participated in several of its committees since 2001, including the Board of Admissions, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Professional Development Committee, Equity and Diversity Committee and Environment Committee. In 2014, she led a task force to renew APEGNB’s vision and mission. She is APEGNB’s current 30-by-30 Champion and has represented the Association as a member and Past Chair of the Engineers Canada Women in Engineering Committee, Task Force and Advisory Group. In 2010 she received the designation of Fellow of Engineers Canada in honour of her exceptional contributions to the engineering profession in Canada. In 2011, she accepted the Engineers and Geoscientists New Brunswick’s Support of Women in Engineering Award for promoting engineering as an exciting and engaging profession for women.

Ms. Plourde co-founded the New Brunswick Women in Engineering and Geoscience (NBWIEG) Networking Group. She frequently promotes engineering and geoscience as engaging careers for diverse ranges of people, both within her NBWIEG social media groups as well as on her personal Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts. She is highly involved in her community and is eager to contribute to a better quality of life in New Brunswick through the regulated practice of engineering and geoscience.