Series Les femmes ont du génie
This series of discussions, presented in the form of podcasts and an in-person roundtable, highlights inspiring women who hold leading positions in the field of engineering and have demonstrated remarkable leadership throughout their careers.
Offered in collaboration with The Brand is Female, these interviews provide a platform to share their experiences, challenges, and successes, while inspiring the next generation of women engineers.
Live Podcast (no replay available) – October 16 – Noon
Conversation with Farah Alibay
Aerospace Engineer, Author, Speaker, and Columnist
Podcast available starting October 22
Conversation with Maud Cohen
President of Polytechnique Montreal
Podcast available starting October 29
Interview with Selwa Rafi
Founder and President, KEPLR Intelligence
Panel Discussion – October 30 at 5:30 p.m. – Studio 180
180 Peel Street, Studio 300, Montréal (Québec) H3C 2G7
Women of Influence
With the following panelists::
- Hélène Brisebois, ing. DSA, ASC
Associate Engineer, Vice President and Project Manager at SDK - Suzanne Demeules, ing., D.E.S.S.
Partner, Senior Vice President, Transportation at CIMA+ - Caterina Milioto, ing., MBA
President of Intervia - Catherine Tremblay, Ing.
Vice President, Transportation Agencies at AtkinsRéalis
In this interview, Farah Alibay will discuss her career journey from being the child of immigrants, growing up in a small town in Quebec, to working at NASA. She will talk about the challenges of pursuing a career in a male-dominated field and the obstacles she had to overcome. She will also share her thoughts on crucial topics such as improving diversity and inclusion, as well as the importance of mutual support. An engaging and enriching discussion.
📅 Live Podcast (no replay available) – October 16 2025
🕛 Noon to 1 p.m.
🖥️ Zoom
This panel of women in engineering will explore the journeys of inspiring personalities. These influential women will highlight the values, influences, and inspirations that have shaped their paths. They will share decisive moments, including the obstacles they have overcome and the lessons learned from these experiences. The discussion will also cover leadership, work-life balance, and the advancement of women in the engineering profession and as leaders. A promising and enriching moment!
📅 Studio 180, 180, rue Peel Studio 300, Montréal (Québec) H3C 2G7
🕛 30 octobre dès 17 h 30
Your guests
Farah Alibay Aerospace Engineer, Author, Speaker, and ColumnistFarah Alibay
Hélène Brisebois Ingénieure associée et vice-présidente développement stratégique et projets majeurs chez SDKHélène Brisebois- Suzanne Demeules Associée, Première Vice-présidente, Transport chez CIMA+Suzanne Demeules
- Caterina Milioto Présidente de InterviaCaterina Milioto
- Catherine Tremblay Vice-Présidente, Agences de Transport chez AtkinsRéalisCatherine Tremblay
- Selwa Rafi Fondatrice de KEPLR Intelligence™Selwa Rafi
Farah Alibay
Farah Alibay
Aerospace Engineer, Author, Speaker, and Columnist
Born in Montreal, Dr. Farah Alibay grew up in the province of Quebec before moving to the United Kingdom as a teenager. She holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in aerospace and aerothermal engineering from the University of Cambridge, as well as a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
She joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2014, where she played a key role in several landmark missions, including the Perseverance rover and the Ingenuity helicopter, the first aircraft to achieve controlled flight on another planet. She also contributed to the Insight and Mars Cube One CubeSats projects.
Since 2022, she has been applying her expertise to major new missions, including the SPHEREx infrared telescope, launched in early 2025, and the VERITAS satellite, which may explore Venus.
An enthusiastic science communicator, she is actively committed to promoting diversity in science and inspiring women and minorities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).