Who We Are
We Do Things Differently
We don’t do quick fixes or performative programming. Instead, we offer something deeper: honest conversations grounded in lived experience, research, and community.
Our work is justice-oriented, research-backed, and deeply personal. It is not about helping women to "fit in" — it’s about helping them see more clearly, feel less alone, affirm their worth, and improve their lives.
About Us
Her Work in Engineering was created to shine a light on the often-invisible emotional, cultural, and systemic work that women engineers do every day, simply to survive and succeed in a profession not built with them in mind.
Founded by Dr. Ann-Louise Howard, an award-winning researcher with extensive experience in engineering, our approach blends deep listening, storytelling, and transformative facilitation grounded in rigorous research. We create spaces where women can reflect on their lived experiences, connect with others who understand, and begin to name and release the extra work they have been carrying silently for too long.
We believe that the additional, often-invisible labour women do to fit into the culture of engineering should no longer be normalized or ignored. Women in the industry deserve a space for their experiences to be validated, and the support to transform their relationship to the profession.
Our Vision
For women in engineering to fully awaken to the profession's system of discrimination and its impact on them, to find validation and strength in community, and to use their clarity and wisdom to improve their lives.
The Founder
Dr. Ann-Louise Howard loved studying engineering at McGill University and worked in the high-tech sector for many years before shifting her focus to the human side of work and, eventually, to the experiences of women in engineering. One of her first engineering jobs painfully exposed her to how a work environment can affect a person’s engagement and mental health, and instilled in her a profound curiosity in organizational life.
Although she persisted in engineering for many years, the trajectory of her life’s work was changed. After working in systems engineering, program management, human resources, and ethics, Ann-Louise channelled her deep curiosity into a Master’s Degree in Human Systems Intervention and a PhD from Concordia University focused on women in engineering. Her award-winning doctoral thesis, “I Didn’t Know it was a Thing Either: Women Engineers’ Experiences of Suffering in the Workplace,” opened a window into the hidden, every day gendered dynamics of the profession and has resonated deeply with many women in engineering.
With a rare blend of technical experience, systems thinking, and facilitation expertise, Ann-Louise brings both heart and insight to her work. Her research has been featured by CBC, The Montreal Gazette, and Concordia University. Today, she shares her research and supports women engineers through speaking, consulting, and coaching—inviting new conversations about what it means to thrive in a profession not built with women in mind.
Ann-Louise is an expert facilitator whose engaging and intentional approach blends research with meaningful discussion, helping women engineers connect and learn from one another. Conversations about workplace obstacles and opportunities were both stimulating and healing. This series doesn’t promise "magic bullet" solutions because none exist. It does provide a constructive space to tackle difficult questions and build resilience. This is a great opportunity for women in engineering looking to share experience, broaden their perspective, and work together toward actionable strategies to navigate the workplace.”
— Jane Desrochers, PhD
Academic Engineer, British Columbia