Marilyn Powers is president and chair of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OPSE), a 20-year-old advocacy group of 8,300 members.
Powers, who is Director, Academic Technology Integration and Innovation at Mohawk College, took on the role on May 9.
Marilyn Powers – President and Chair of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OPSE)
“It’s a well-run and well-governed organization. I’m bringing back the learning I’m gaining about governance to the committees I sit on at Mohawk College.”
It is a demanding time commitment, says Powers. She’s finding herself travelling frequently by train into Toronto and has had to expand her work week into Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Powers says the college has been very supportive of her new role.
It’s an exciting time to lead the OPSE, says Powers. “The three big engineering groups have female presidents. That has never happened before.”
Powers earned a PhD and a masters in biomedical engineering from the University of Calgary. Her undergraduate degree was in mechanical engineering from the University of Waterloo.