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Hosted by:
Department of Civil Engineering
Inspiring Voices:
Women in Civil Engineering Leadership Dinner
Thursday, April 9, 2026 | Last Defence Lounge (LDL)
Event Program
6:00 - 6:30 PM Doors Open (No entry permitted after 6:30)
6:00 – 7:00 PM Welcome Remarks & Live Music and Dance Performance
7:00 – 8:00 PM "Taking My Time, An Act of Rebellion" Jess Theroux
8:00 – 9:00 PM Dinner
8:30 – 9:30 PM "Personal Journey in Learning and Discovering the Blackfoot Tipi as an Indigenous Women and Engineer" Jessica Bekker
9:30 – 10:30 PM Video Competition Winners Announcements, Closing Remarks & Networking
Notes:
This is a free event, however registration is required.
Individuals of all genders and backgrounds are welcome to attend.
The tickets for this event are extremely limited. Please only register if you are able to attend.
There will be a $40 fine for no shows, cancellation after Wednesday, or early departure from the event.
This event will be recorded and photographed. By attending, you consent to being recorded and grant the organizers the right to use and share the footage and images.
See below for more details.
To register for the dinner event, use the link here.
Or use the QR code.
Meet the Host, Speakers and Performers
Event Host & Lead Organizer
Construction Management Innovator & Advocate for EDIA in Engineering
Dr. Farnaz Sadeghpour is an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Calgary, specializing in digital twinning and safety innovation in construction. Passionate about advancing the role of women in engineering, she actively fosters initiatives that promote equity, leadership, and inclusion in the education and practice of Civil Engineering and empower the next generation of civil engineers.
2026 Speakers
Jessica Theroux
Painter, Writer, Sculptor, Textile Artist, and Teacher
Using the Arts as a thread to sew people and thoughts together, Jessica Théroux is a painter, writer, sculptor, and textiles artist. She makes a living as a teacher and ran Rumble House, an artist collective, with her husband, Rich Theroux, that brought hundreds of artists and art consumers together. She gave a TedXCalgary talk on her connection of stitching and her adventures in art. She has co-written several books, co-created a feature length film (puppets), and is a singer, entertainer, explorer, and a published poet. Her publication, Goddess Alpha: Directions Home is a collection of embroideries and poems drawing on the unique lessons from different cultures across time.
Teaching Chair in Indigenous Perspectives in Engineering
Jessica Bekker holds a Teaching Chair in Indigenous Perspectives in Engineering at the University of Calgary, Schulich School of Engineering. She is a member of the Piikani Nation, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy. She has an MASc from the University of Victoria in Mechanical Engineering in which she developed energy modelling research tools to support energy planning and energy transitions for remote communities. Her current role brings Indigenous Perspectives, Knowledge to Teaching and engineering education at the University of Calgary.
Event Performers
HYMM Melodies
World Fusion Music
HYMM is a world fusion ensemble whose focus is to transform traditional melodies from all around the world into modern compositions for their audiences.
Bijan Meysami Santur (Hammered Dulcimer, Composer)
Ghazaleh Kouhestani Cajón
Anastasiia Alexader Dance
Flamenco Dancer
Anastassiia Alexander is a flamenco dancer based in Calgary, Canada. She holds a B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), an M.Sc. in Theoretical Chemistry, and a Ph.D. in Computational Biochemistry from the University of Calgary. Her background in STEM reflects a deep passion for research and analytical thinking—qualities that also shape her artistic approach.
As a flamenco dancer, she blends traditional flamenco with contemporary performance, exploring its intersections with opera, spoken word, and media art. Her unique journey from the world of science to the world of dance bridges the worlds of science and art, bringing a distinctive perspective to her work and showcasing a remarkable fusion of precision and creative expression.
The Venue
Location: Last Defence Lounge (LDL); 2nd floor of MacEwan Student Centre, University of Calgary
350 MSC, 2500, University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
Dinner: Mediterranean Buffet
Video/photography alert: This event will include both video recording and photography. By attending, you consent to being recorded and grant the organizers the right to use and share the footage and images as they see fit.
To register for the dinner event, use the link here.
Or use the QR code on the left!
Thanks to our 2026 sponsor
Past Speakers
2025
Olympic Athlete & Diversity Advocate
Haley Daniels, an Olympic trailblazer for gender equality, where she shattered barriers at Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She champions diversity, helping organizations improve policies. In a family of firsts, Haley's resilience and advocacy inspire lasting change. Her remarkable feats and her father Kimberly's groundbreaking role reflect their pride in the Olympic movement's leap toward diversity and inclusivity to leave a legacy for the future of sport and gender inclusion.
Rocket Scientist & Advocate for Women in Tech
Natalie Panek is a rocket scientist, adventurer, and passionate advocate for women in technology. She is a Staff Aerospace Engineer in Systems Design at MDA Space, where she helps design, build, and test robotics for space missions. Her work contributes to MDA’s satellite servicing initiatives, the European Space Agency’s 2028 ExoMars rover program, and Canadarm3 on NASA’s Lunar Gateway. Beyond her work in aerospace, Natalie is deeply involved in STEM advocacy and community initiatives, inspiring the next generation of innovators.
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