--- title: "Ingenious women: Valérie Houle" date: 2022-07-21T16:01:00-04:00 author: jessica napert canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/ingenious-women-valerie-houle" section: Publications --- “I find it normal to see women in engineering. It’s such interesting and wonderful work; why wouldn’t women want to do it, too? As a civil engineer, above all, I’m fascinated by structural aesthetics and complexity. I love studying the behaviour of structures in detail and thinking about the aspects that will ensure that future occupants are comfortable and safe. 1. It’s advantageous when a diversified team carries out a project. This provides multiple perspectives, angles of approach and ways to tackle a problem. The more complementary a group is, the less chance of error, and that certainly means having a better gender balance. Early in my career, I met a few women who inspired me, including one who was in a management position and the mother of very young children. She made me realize that most barriers that are drilled into us, and that we end up integrating and imposing on ourselves, aren’t as insurmountable as we think. We have so much to gain, both individually and collectively, by being bold in this field, even if it’s never easy! As adults, we also have a responsibility to tear down preconceived notions and mitigate the effect of stereotypes on all of us. From early childhood, we need to introduce all children to science and explain how science-related disciplines can make a real difference in the world. This allows girls to see themselves in this world and make it their own, which I believe is essential if future generations of engineers are to be equal.” 2. - [ ![VALERIE HOULE FEMME INGENIEUSE EN](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/_size_squared/154784/VALERIE-HOULE-FEMME-INGENIEUSE_EN.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/VALERIE-HOULE-FEMME-INGENIEUSE_EN.jpg) - [ ![Valeriehoule3](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/_size_squared/154717/Valeriehoule3.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/Valeriehoule3.png) - [ ![Valeriehoule4](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/_size_squared/154712/Valeriehoule4.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/Valeriehoule4.png) - [ ![Valeriehoule5](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/_size_squared/154713/Valeriehoule5.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/Valeriehoule5.png) - [ ![Valeriehoule6](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/_size_squared/154714/Valeriehoule6.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/Valeriehoule6.png) - [ ![Valeriehoule7](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/_size_squared/154715/Valeriehoule7.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/Valeriehoule7.png) This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA 1. ![Valérie Houle](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/154702/valerie-houle.webp) Valérie Houle, P.Eng., M.Eng. Department Manager, Structural [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/val%C3%A9rie-houle-90715680/) - [ 14 Oct 2026 Power and Renewables Understanding regions and communities: human environment expertise supporting projects - ![Burelle Marie Andree](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/218105/Burelle-Marie-Andree.webp) Marie-Andrée Burelle Senior Environmental Professional ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/understanding-regions-and-communities-human-environment-expertise-supporting-projects "Understanding regions and communities: human environment expertise supporting projects") - [ 01 Oct 2026 Power and Renewables Reliable power starts with the right grid interconnection strategy - ![Jeremie Cote](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/206702/Jeremie-Cote.webp) - ![Alizera Khosroshahi](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/216932/Alizera-Khosroshahi.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/reliable-power-starts-with-the-right-grid-interconnection-strategy "Reliable power starts with the right grid interconnection strategy") - [ 23 Sep 2026 Power and Renewables As Alberta's solar boom subsides, Ontario's next wave is just beginning - ![Pr employee men scott fleming retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204270/pr_employee_men_scott-fleming_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) - ![Brenden Marchewka](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/203981/Brenden-Marchewka.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/as-albertas-solar-boom-subsides-ontarios-next-wave-is-just-beginning "As Alberta's solar boom subsides, Ontario's next wave is just beginning") - [ 14 Sep 2026 Other Industries Climate resilience planning is essential for long-term project performance - ![Pr employee men vincent clement retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204267/pr_employee_men_vincent-clement_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) - ![Kate Ross](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/216019/Kate-Ross.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/climate-resilience-planning-is-essential-for-long-term-project-performance "Climate resilience planning is essential for long-term project performance") [ See all ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights "Go to Publications listing page") Let’s see what we can do together [ Contact us ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/contact) “I find it normal to see women in engineering. It’s such interesting and wonderful work; why wouldn’t women want to do it, too? As a civil engineer, above all, I’m fascinated by structural aesthetics and complexity. I love studying the behaviour of structures in detail and thinking about the aspects that will ensure that future occupants are comfortable and safe. 1. It’s advantageous when a diversified team carries out a project. This provides multiple perspectives, angles of approach and ways to tackle a problem. The more complementary a group is, the less chance of error, and that certainly means having a better gender balance. Early in my career, I met a few women who inspired me, including one who was in a management position and the mother of very young children. She made me realize that most barriers that are drilled into us, and that we end up integrating and imposing on ourselves, aren’t as insurmountable as we think. We have so much to gain, both individually and collectively, by being bold in this field, even if it’s never easy! As adults, we also have a responsibility to tear down preconceived notions and mitigate the effect of stereotypes on all of us. From early childhood, we need to introduce all children to science and explain how science-related disciplines can make a real difference in the world. This allows girls to see themselves in this world and make it their own, which I believe is essential if future generations of engineers are to be equal.” 2. - [ ![VALERIE HOULE FEMME INGENIEUSE EN](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/_size_squared/154784/VALERIE-HOULE-FEMME-INGENIEUSE_EN.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/VALERIE-HOULE-FEMME-INGENIEUSE_EN.jpg) - [ ![Valeriehoule3](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/_size_squared/154717/Valeriehoule3.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/Valeriehoule3.png) - [ ![Valeriehoule4](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/_size_squared/154712/Valeriehoule4.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/Valeriehoule4.png) - [ ![Valeriehoule5](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/_size_squared/154713/Valeriehoule5.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/Valeriehoule5.png) - [ ![Valeriehoule6](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/_size_squared/154714/Valeriehoule6.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/Valeriehoule6.png) - [ ![Valeriehoule7](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/_size_squared/154715/Valeriehoule7.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/Publications/Valeriehoule7.png) This content is for general information purposes only. 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