“I am committed to working to improve diversity and will continue to support and drive forward the Association’s efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive profession.” - Sarah L. Devereaux, FEC, P.Eng.
Photo credit to Adam Lanigan, P.Eng.

Council Renames the Award for the Advancement of Women in Engineering

For the past decade, Engineers Nova Scotia has been focused on increasing diversity within our profession. The number of members who promote and support women in our profession is truly inspiring. To recognize these inspiring individuals, in 2013 the Engineers Nova Scotia Council created the Award for the Advancement of Women in Engineering. Since that time it has been awarded to six individuals. The award recognizes engineers who, through their engineering and career achievements, have demonstrated noteworthy contributions for the advancement of women in the profession. This includes being recognized as a role model within the profession. 

The inaugural award was presented to Sarah L. Devereaux, FEC, P.Eng., to recognize her ongoing efforts to recruit and mentor female engineers but also her leadership as a role model in the community.  Sarah was the first woman to become president of the Consulting Engineers of Nova Scotia and the second to serve as president of Engineers Nova Scotia.  She now serves as a Director of Engineers Canada, the first woman from Nova Scotia to serve in that capacity. 

Since 2013, Sarah’s accomplishments have been recognized numerous times. She has been named a Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada recipient for breaking new ground and traditional barriers and having a measurable impact on Canadian society. She was also recognized with the Canadian Progress Women of Excellence Award for demonstrating outstanding achievement in management in corporate and not-for-profit organizations as well as the advancement of her profession. She has been our Council 30 by 30 co-Champion for the advancement of women since that position was established; has been the sole Engineers Canada 30 by 30 Champion since the creation of that position; and has Chaired the Engineers Canada Sustainable Profession Committee and Governance Committee. She was recently selected by the Engineers Canada Board to co-lead the Engineers Canada strategic priority for the recruitment, retention and development of women in the engineering profession.

To say someone embodies the meaning and purpose of an award is not a statement that is arrived at quickly. Until now, only two association awards have borne the name of a member, the F. H. Sexton Gold Medal and the J.D. Fraser Service Award. Both of these members served the association, the profession and the people of Nova Scotia proudly and had profound impacts on those around them.  In recognition of Sarah’s continued devotion and achievement, Engineers Nova Scotia is very pleased to announce that our 2017/2018 Council has voted unanimously to rename the Award for the Advancement of Women in Engineering to the S.L. Devereaux Award for the Advancement of Women in Engineering. 

Upon learning that this honour had been bestowed upon her by Council, Sarah committed to working to improve diversity to the point where the award is no longer necessary. Engineers Nova Scotia is thankful that Sarah will continue to support and drive forward the Association’s efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive profession.