The Canadian Academy of Engineering
cae-acg.ca / The Academy

Board of Directors

CAE Board of Directors

Soheil Asgarpour, PTAC

Soheil Asgarpour
Soheil Asgarpour
Ph.D., FCAE, FCIM, FCSSE, P. Eng.
President

A Fellow of both the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, Soheil has over 35 years of diversified technical, business and operations experience in the oil and gas industry marked by providing strong leadership to several profit and not-for-profit organizations. He graduated from Rice University with a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has served the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum as President, Petroleum Society of CIM as Chairman, Petroleum Recovery Institute as First Vice Chairman, and Canadian Institute for Photonic Innovations and Canadian Photonic Industry Consortium as a director.

Catherine Karakatsanis, Morrison Hershfield

Catherine Karakatsanis
Catherine Karakatsanis
M. E. Sc, P. Eng., PEC, FCAE
President-Elect

As an award-winning engineer, Catherine has had an extensive career in engineering and management and is the Chief Operating Officer of Morrison Hershfield, a ‘Top 100 North American Engineering firm’. Catherine served as President of Engineers Canada, Professional Engineers Ontario, and the Ontario Society of Engineering. She has been recognized for her accomplishments including having been inducted into the CAE as a Fellow; a recipient of the Province of Ontario’s ‘Leading Women Building Communities Award’; awarded a Fellow by Engineers Canada; been inducted into ‘Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame’; awarded the ‘Gold Medal’; among others.

Yves Beauchamp, McGill University

Yves Beauchamp
Yves Beauchamp
Ph. D., Eng., C.M., C.Q., FCAE
Past-President

Yves Beauchamp is the Vice Principal, Administration and Finance, McGill University. Over the course of his career, Dr. Beauchamp has received numerous awards including the member of the Order of Canada, the Knight of the National Order of Québec, the Médaille de l’Assemblée Nationale of the Government of Québec, a recognition from the Order of Engineers of Québec for outstanding achievement in research and teaching and both Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals. Dr. Beauchamp holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and a Masters in Industrial Safety and Hygiene from Université de Québec à Trois-Rivières, as well as a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from West Virginia University.

Bruce Burlton, Carleton University

Bruce Burlton
Bruce Burlton
FCAE
Secretary-Treasurer

Bruce Burlton is a world pioneer in the establishment of commercial communications satellite systems. Among his many achievements, he was part of the team that successfully implemented and operated the world’s first domestic satellite communications system (Telesat) and led the team that successfully placed twelve Telesat satellites in the operating orbit. His most spectacular contribution was to lead the team which twice successfully rescued the Anik E2 satellite, developing the earth borne control system enabling it to successfully operate for 10 more years in spite of critical failures of its onboard control systems. He is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Mechanical and Aerospace Department at Carleton University.

Reinhold Crotogino

Reinhold Crotogino
Reinhold Crotogino
Ph. D., FCAE
Director

Dr. Crotogino has made outstanding contributions to the pulp and paper industry as a researcher, research manager and educator. His fundamental research related to paper making and pulp processing operations has led to significant changes in manufacturing technology, most notably a complete overhaul of paper calendaring technology in Canada and around the world. As a research manager and adjunct professor, he guided industrial and university researchers, and students to address key fundamental issues that would lay the foundation for improved operations and novel process technologies. Together with colleagues at McGill University, he helped to build a sound understanding of the factors governing through-air drying, a key technology in the manufacture of tissue paper products.

Samantha Espley, Stantec

Samantha Espley
P.Eng, FCAE
Director

Samantha is a trailblazer and global leader in the engineering profession and in the mining industry. She has more than 30 years of experience including executive director roles at Vale. She is a strong advocate for engineering and promoter of the essential role of mining for society and is listed as one of the Top 100 Women in Mining. She received numerous recognitions and is sought after for her thought-leadership and engaging management style. Currently, as the Senior Executive Advisor at Stantec, she is leading a Whole Mine Approach in engineering consulting to drive a step change in the mining industry and to achieve safe, responsible, net zero, and sustainable results. Samantha is the outgoing president of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum and is an active board member of several organizations.

Ray Gosine, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Ray Gosine
Ray Gosine
Ph.D., FCAE, FEC, P. Eng
Director

Dr. Ray Gosine, Associate Vice-President (Research) and former Dean at Memorial University of Newfoundland, is an academic leader with a longstanding commitment to university-industry collaboration and to the transfer and commercialization of university research to benefit Canada. He has been successful in building research partnerships and generating millions of dollars in investments to Memorial. The province has profited from his student mentorship as a Research Chair and from his encouragement for his students to identify and address real industrial challenges leading to the creation of their own technology businesses.

Digvir Jayas, University of Lethbridge

Digvir Jayas
O.C., Ph.D., D.Sc., P.Eng., P.Ag., FRSC
Director

Dr. Jayas of the University of Lethbridge (formerly of the University of Manitoba) is a world-renowned scientist in the field of grain storage research and is a former a Canada Research Chair in Stored-Grain Ecosystems. His research has resulted in better grain storage and drying systems in several countries, and is contributing to the automation of grain handling and processing operations in Canada and several other countries. He has trained more than 100 highly qualified personnel at the masters, doctoral and postdoctoral levels. Dr. Jayas has authored or co- authored over 445 refereed papers and an additional 400 technical articles, conference proceedings, book chapters and books. Beyond his research contributions, he has been an active contributor to many technical societies and to his profession.

Heather Kennedy, FCAE

Heather Kennedy
Heather Kennedy
FCAE
Director

Heather Kennedy has been a proud engineer for 40 years. Heather has worked in mining and oil sands; in fields covering operations, project management, stakeholder relations, transportation and regulatory; both in private sector and for government. Heather believes the intersection of engineering and society is of utmost importance; demonstrated by work done in the regional municipality of wood buffalo. The need to have diversity in engineering, while being focused on the core skills and attributes of engineering has made Canada a better country and will be part of its future success and being part of this journey is her passion. Heather currently serves on the Boards of Ingenium (Canada’s Museums of Science and Technology), Careers; the Next Generation and the Calgary Airport Authority.

Nicole Poirier, KoanTeknico Solutions Inc.

Nicole Poirier
Nicole Poirier
Ph.D., P.Eng., FCAE
Director

Dr. Poirier has devoted her career to industrial R&D and the development/commercialization of new technologies and products, distinguishing herself as an innovator, entrepreneur, manager and consultant. She was involved in the creation and success of a cleantech company, is the president of an engineering consulting company, and was the scientific director of one of Canada’s first business-led research networks which she co-created. Some contributions include novel pulp and paper technologies, electrochemical wastewater treatment equipment for ships and other applications, and the establishment and management of a portfolio of nanotechnology-based projects for the aerospace, automotive, forest and personal care sectors.

William Rosehart, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary

William Rosehart
William Rosehart
Ph. D., FCAE
Director

Bill is deeply committed to teaching and learning. He has been recognized with two University of Calgary Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Awards and has twice been named Professor of the Year in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Bill has been active with and received awards from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and APEGA. Bill’s commitment to students is further highlighted through his involvement as a founding member of the Canadian Engineering Association, where he served as the western regional director on their governing board from 2011 to 2013.

Marc Rosen, University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Marc Rosen
Marc Rosen
Ph.D., P.Eng., FEIC, FCSME, FASME, FIEF, FCAE, FCSSE
Director

Marc Rosen is a Professor of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa, Canada, where he served as founding Dean. He has carried out extensive research for industry on energy technologies, with the results in numerous instances being adopted, leading to increased efficiency and reduced emissions and costs. Dr. Rosen has served as President of the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering and the Engineering Institute of Canada. He has received numerous awards, is a Fellow of many societies (CAE, EIC, CSME, ASME, CSSE, IEF) and has worked for such organizations as Argonne National Laboratory.

Jennifer Williams, Newfoundland & Labrador Hydro

Jennifer Williams
FEC, FCAE, P.Eng.
Director

Jennifer Williams has made exemplary contributions to the field of power systems planning, operations and leadership. As CEO of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, as well as through her other leadership roles, she has made significant impact in the province via planning for the net-zero energy transition and through oversight of the electricity resources in the province which includes generation, transmission and distribution assets, including one of the largest hydro plants in Canada, Churchill Falls. Critical contributions also include facilitating electrification in the province and enabling the burgeoning hydrogen opportunities. In addition to her professional leadership roles, Jennifer has contributed significantly to the community through volunteer activities.

Jesse Zhu, University of Western Ontario

Jesse Zhu
Jesse Zhu
FCAE
Director

Dr. Jesse Zhu is a Distinguished University Professor at Western University and has made major contributions to the application and understanding of particle technology. Working closely with students, colleagues and industry, he has made significant advances in many areas or particle technology, including handling of cohesive particulate materials, powder coating and fluidized bed reactors, and developing innovative technologies. His work has contributed in particular to the chemical, biochemical, materials, pharmaceutical and environmental industries, with several technologies licensed in Canada and internationally. Zhu has also won many awards, including 3 major awards sponsored by the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering and top awards from Western University. Zhu is also a Fellow of Royal Society of Canada since 2015.

Robert Crawhall (ex officio)

Robert Crawhall
Robert Crawhall
Ph.D, P.Eng, FCAE, PMP, ICD.D
Executive Director

Robert has over 30 years’ experience in technology innovation. He serves on several Board of Directors including private and not-for-profit organizations and is active in standards development. Prior positions included CEO of the National Capital Institute of Telecommunications, Executive Director of the Ontario Research Network in Electronic Commerce, CEO of NanoQuébec and VP Operations of Precarn Incorporated. Robert received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Business from McGill University, his Master's degree in Electrical Engineering also from McGill and his Doctorate in electromagnetic compatibility from the University of Ottawa. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, a Senior Member of the IEEE, Member of the Canadian Society of Senior Engineers (CSSE), a registered Engineer in the Province of Ontario a certified project management professional (PMP) and a certified Director (ICD.D).

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