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From Canadian Airlines to Remote Waterfalls: The Journey of McGhee-Krizsan Engineering Limited Founder

Karen McGhee, BESc’92, is the founder and president of McGhee-Krizsan Engineering Limited. (Submitted)

Karen McGhee, BESc’92, is a highly experienced engineer and business owner who has spent 30 years in the Renewable Energy industry. She is the founder and president of McGhee-Krizsan Engineering Limited (MKE), an engineering company specializing in waterpower and the hydroelectric industry. Karen's success is not only reflected in her professional achievements but also in her personal life. In fact, she credits Western Engineering for bringing her numerous blessings, including meeting her husband and having three great kids who are all now attending Western (two in undergraduate engineering and one completing a master’s in biochemistry). 

Karen's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious Dodokin Award from the Ontario Waterpower Association. In 2013, Karen became the only female recipient of this award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of waterpower in Ontario. In this Q&A feature, we learn more about her career and get advice for women in engineering.

Can you provide a high-level overview of your career, including highlights, and what sparked your passion to start McGhee-Krizsan Engineering Limited (MKE) in 2006?

My engineering career began in 1993 at the former Cumming Cockburn Limited (CCL) Consulting Engineers in Markham, ON. During these first few years, I worked on various projects for CCL's Structural and Small Hydro Group, where my skills were honed. Additionally, my project management and client relations successes helped me build a portfolio of engineer-of-record contracts with several larger companies with ongoing needs/projects.

In 1998, I broadened my horizons by accepting a position with Canadian Airlines as an Airport Planner. The role entailed extensive international travel during a phase when airports across Canada were expanding, providing me with opportunities to enhance my planning and project management skills. However, I missed the more technical aspects of engineering, and after Air Canada assumed control of Canadian Airlines, I returned to CCL in 2000.

When I returned to CCL, I focused my efforts on waterpower and became the head of the Independent Engineering sector of the Waterpower and Renewable Energy Division. I also continued to work on design and project management for dams and waterpower generating stations. At CCL, I reviewed over 50 waterpower sites across Canada and the USA for financing, acquisition, and public offering processes. In 2004, IBI Group acquired CCL, and it became clear that their focus was not on the waterpower and renewable energy sector. However, this allowed me to realize my dream of starting my own company. When IBI Group declined to bid on a project, I received an agreement from all parties to start my own company, bid independently for the project, and complete my outstanding projects with IBI under an affiliation agreement. Thus, I founded McGhee-Krizsan Engineering Limited (MKE) in 2006, where I hold various executive roles such as President, Chief Engineer, Draftsperson, Secretary, Bookkeeper, and Coffee Maker in my one-person enterprise. My children have also helped over the years, and even my dog, Amigo, has played the role of Chief Furry Officer when not busily napping on his couch in my office.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career?

I take great pride in my work as an engineer, where I have been able to specialize in a challenging and varied field that encompasses a wide range of projects. From working with dams, roads, and pipes to working with environmental and hydrological systems, my work has allowed me to gain expertise in diverse areas, including hydraulics, concrete, steel, powerlines, and large mechanical and electrical equipment. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to explore other areas of the industry, such as finance, law, public relations, and indigenous participation, which has further expanded my skillset. Throughout my career, I have been involved in projects that span the entire design, study, review, and construction administration process. 

At Canadian Airlines, I traveled frequently for work, using planes to get to meetings. However, I never had the opportunity to witness the breathtaking views I experienced while working in the waterpower industry. Working in this industry has allowed me to travel to remote parts of Canada, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, and from the Great Lakes to the far north in Ontario, which are not usually accessible to most people. Most of my work involves projects in remote locations, which typically require various forms of transportation, such as float planes, helicopters, boats, ATVs, or snowmobiles, to reach the final destination. Despite the challenges, it is all worth it because I get to stand in front of a magnificent waterfall at the end of the journey. I have taken more pictures of waterfalls throughout remote Canada than I have of my three children. Additionally, owning my own company has allowed me to work from my home office for the past 17 years, which has provided me with the flexibility to spend more time with my family and less time commuting.

Can you describe your involvement as a mentor and what it means to give back to the engineering community?

When you work alone, you risk becoming "out of touch" with innovation and new developments, etc. Therefore, in addition to keeping up my skills through professional training courses, I have been actively involved in many associations over the years. I served for six years on the Ontario Waterpower Association's Board of Directors, promoting the waterpower industry and helping to develop best management practices and refine the regulatory process. I also volunteer for many outreach and networking opportunities.  Years ago, I was involved in a series of workshops to teach Ontario First Nation representatives about the different aspects of waterpower and how they could become involved with or participate in the industry. I think I came away learning as much or more than the attendees. More recently, I spent a year giving monthly engineering demonstrations for local elementary school science classes. It was wonderful to see kids understand how the math and science they were learning are used in the "real world."

What words of advice or inspiration can you give to other engineers or to support women entering a career in clean energy?

"Don't be intimidated! Know your strengths and work on your weaknesses". When I started with CCL 30 years ago, I was the only female engineer on staff. The power industry was viewed as an "old boy's club" for decades. Women on construction sites were very rare. But over the last 30 years, I have seen a huge shift in attitudes and numbers ­(granted, a smaller shift in numbers). Don't be afraid to approach an experienced colleague or associate for assistance and guidance. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of self-awareness and a willingness to grow.