Siobhan MacDonald, a 2020 graduate of Mechanical Engineering, is a Senior Project Coordinator at Aecon Construction Group. An athlete from a young age, she earned a gold medal at the 2022 Canada Summer Games. And in 2024, the Society of Women Engineers named her one of 15 “Women Engineers You Should Know.”
As International Women’s Day grows near, get to know this talented and accomplished alumna.
Professionally, what have you been up to since you graduated?
I graduated in the spring of 2020 very unsure of what my post-graduation experience was going to look like. I was fortunate that in July, I was offered a position with Aecon Construction Group. I have been working at Aecon for 5 years now and have worked in many different roles and departments. I started out as an estimator and bid on projects like the new Ontario Line subway in Toronto, I’ve gone to site and learned about project management and all the complications that can arise on major construction projects, and now I’m a senior project coordinator with ONxpress Transportation Partners with the goal of improving our existing GO Transit Network in the Greater Toronto Area.
In 2024 you were recognized by the Society of Women Engineers as one of 15 “Women Engineers You Should Know” (and the only Canadian). How did that come about? Were you surprised by the honour?
My current project, ONxpress Transportation Partners, had decided to nominate around 12 women to have the chance to be featured in the Society of Women Engineers magazine last year. Alongside celebrating international Women’s Day at work, they wanted to go the extra mile and put forward our LinkedIn profiles and short biographies to see if any of us would be chosen to be a finalist in the magazine. To a very great surprise to me, I ended up being chosen! I am so fortunate to work with so many incredible women at my current project and it was an absolute honour to be included amongst those in the magazine as well.
Part of the criteria for selection is that you’re inspiring to colleagues and young people, the next generation of women engineers. Can you comment on that?
I have a hard time picturing myself as an inspiration to my colleagues because I often find it’s the opposite and I’m so inspired by them! What I do know is the importance of representation. I will always strive to do my best and I constantly aim for new goals and opportunities. Whether it’s in this industry or any other, I hope that my successes, big or small, will help keep the door open for any other woman who would like to do the same. I having a diverse representation is so important for any organization. Different backgrounds and ideas often lead to the most creative solutions, and I will always try to continue to bring the gap and have more women enter the STEM field.
You’re an accomplished athlete. Tell us more about the Canada Summer Games and your journey as an athlete. Are there any upcoming competitions you’re working toward?
Sailing has always been a large part of my life; in fact it’s the main reason why I chose to go to Queen’s. I wanted to try out for the sailing team and being a part of the team was a huge part of my amazing experience at Queen’s. I am still actively sailing in Toronto, and my next big journey is going to be in Italy this October when I travel to the 2.4mR World Championships. It’s always been a big dream of mine, to compete in Europe, and I can’t wait to get back to training once we get through this winter!
