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.
Please note that all the presentations will be held in French.
Live Videocast (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 CEO, KEPLR Intelligence
Roundtable – 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, Eng. DSA, ASC
Associate Engineer, Vice President and Project Manager at SDK - Suzanne Demeules, Eng., D.E.S.S.
Partner, Senior Vice President, Transportation at CIMA+ - Caterina Milioto, Eng., MBA
President and Founder of Intervia - Catherine Tremblay, Eng.
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 collaboration.. An engaging and enriching discussion.
📅 Live Videocast (no replay available) – October 16, 2025
🕛 Noon to 1 p.m.
🖥️ Zoom
In this conversation, Maud Cohen will reflect on the exceptional journey that led her to become the first woman to lead Polytechnique Montréal. She will highlight the values and principles that have guided her throughout both her personal and professional path, while sharing pivotal experiences that have shaped her personality. Maud will also offer her thoughts on key societal topics such as diversity and leadership. A warm, human, and deeply inspiring discussion.
📅 Podcast available starting October 22, 2025 (in French)
🖥️ Spotify and Apple Podcasts
In this interview, Selwa Rafi will speak about her remarkable journey. Through her experiences, she will authentically share the defining moments of her career, the obstacles she overcame, and the victories that propelled her forward as an entrepreneur who carved out a prominent place in a traditionally male-dominated field.
She will talk about what motivated her, the people who supported her, and most importantly, what she hopes to pass on to young women who dream of following a similar path. This podcast is an invitation to believe in oneself, to dare, and to redefine the norms.
📅 Podcast available starting October 29, 2025 (in French)
🖥️ Spotify and Apple Podcasts
This roundtable 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 Peel Street, Studio 300, Montreal, Quebec H3C 2G7
🕛 October 30, 5:30 p.m.
Your guests
Hélène Brisebois Associate Engineer, Vice President and Project Manager at SDKHélène Brisebois- Suzanne Demeules Partner, Senior Vice President, Transportation at CIMA+Suzanne Demeules
- Caterina Milioto President and Founder of InterviaCaterina Milioto
- Catherine Tremblay Vice President, Transportation Agencies Division, AtkinsRéalisCatherine Tremblay
- Maud Cohen President, Polytechnique MontréalMaud Cohen
- Selwa Rafi Founder and CEO, KEPLR IntelligenceSelwa Rafi
Farah Alibay Aerospace Engineer, Author, Speaker, and ColumnistFarah Alibay
Hélène Brisebois
Hélène Brisebois
Associate Engineer, Vice President and Project Manager at SDK
Inspired and unifying, with an exceptional analytical mind, Hélène Brisebois is a recognized figure in the engineering and the construction sectors. She has contributed to the realization of numerous large-scale projects, many of them award-winning, including major hospitals, courthouses, schools, detention centers, and university pavilions.
A graduate in civil engineering from Polytechnique Montréal, Ms. Brisebois pursued further studies at HEC Montréal, in quality systems at Polytechnique, and in governance at Université Laval.
She joined SDK in 1987 and quickly became a shareholder, then a principal partner. President for over 18 years, she currently holds the position of Vice President of Strategic Development and Major Projects.
Her contributions have been recognized through various honors, including the Prix Mérite from Polytechnique Montréal (2023), the CREW Excellence and Leadership Award (2015), and a tribute from the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (2011). A Fellow of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, she also holds honorary doctorates from Université de Montréal (2014) and from Université de Sherbrooke (2024).
She is also involved with organizations such as the Polytechnique Montréal Foundation, the Université de Montréal Major Campaign Cabinet, and Dans la rue.