Featured Alumni

Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Leadership and Innovation 

We are thrilled to honor two outstanding alumni, John Vergeer and Natalya Whitla, from our Western integrated engineering program with the prestigious "Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Leadership and Innovation."  

These exceptional individuals have consistently showcased academic excellence and inspirational leadership throughout their tenure at Western Engineering, and they have continued to excel in their respective industries throughout their careers. Their achievements not only reflect the quality of education at our institution but also serve as a source of inspiration for current and future engineering students. 

John and Natalya will be giving a joint public talk on November 23, as part of our Integrated Engineering Speaker Series 2023-24. 

Congratulations to John and Natalya for their exceptional achievement.  

 

John Vergeer Biography 

John Vergeer is a 2023 graduate of Western’s Integrated Engineering program and Ivey HBA Dual-Degree program. Through dedicated academic pursuits, John developed strong analytical skills and learned to apply calculated, methodical problem-solving approaches, which helped him earn the Gold Medal in Integrated Engineering. 

John decided to pursue the dual degree because of his passion in combining business knowledge with engineering problem-solving which led to his success in consulting at Lactalis Canada and EY. Now a Junior Consultant at Roland Berger in Chicago, John applies his analytical prowess to address diverse clients' business challenges. 

John Vergeer Headshot

Beyond work, his love for sports and travel reflects a well-rounded personality. John's journey exemplifies a commitment to excellence and a seamless integration of engineering and business, positioning him for success in the professional world. 

 

Natalya Whitla Biography 

Natalya Whitla is also a 2023 graduate of Western’s Integrated Engineering program and Ivey HBA Dual-Degree program. Natalya decided to pursue Integrated Engineering because she believed that this multidisciplinary approach was the key to creating positive change in the world. 

Natalya Whitla Photo

In addition to her academic pursuits, Natalya excelled in her campus experience by actively participating in several student clubs, including the Integrated Engineering Club, WETT (Western Engineering Toboggan Team), and EWB (Engineers Without Borders), where she served as the president and completed a remote internship in Uganda in 2020.Beyond her academic and extracurricular endeavors, Natalya was successful in her professional role during a summer internship and now full time at Bain & Company. Her ability to apply her engineering and business knowledge in a real-world setting made her an asset to the firm.  

Natalya's multifaceted approach to creating change through engineering, business, and social impact is a testament to her dedication and passion. In her free time, she enjoys traveling as much as possible and trains in Muay Thai, reflecting her adventurous spirit and commitment to personal growth. 

 

 

Unlocking Success with Western Engineering: Integrated Engineering Speaker Series 2023-24

Join us for "Unlocking Success with Western Engineering," a speaker series featuring distinguished alumni who've excelled academically and transitioned successfully into the professional world.

Our November 16th event features Colin Bryan, a 2023 Integrated Engineering graduate, now thriving in Toronto's financial advisory sector. During the event, he will be sharing insights into how the program equipped him for success as well as practical tips on navigating the transition from academia to the professional world. The event concludes with an interactive Q&A session, offering a chance to ask Colin specific questions and receive personalized advice for your journey.

About the Speaker: Colin Bryan

We are pleased to introduce Colin Bryan, a 2023 graduate of Western’s Integrated Engineering program. Colin's choice to pursue Integrated Engineering was driven by his desire to cultivate a well-rounded perspective in both engineering and business, which has significantly influenced his worldview.

Headshot Photo of Colin Bryan

In addition to his academic achievements, during his time with Western Engineering Colin demonstrated strong leadership skills as the captain of the varsity men's rugby team in 2022/23. He is also deeply passionate about entrepreneurship, co-founding the winning entry at the 2022 Ivey Business Case Competition. His education at Western Engineering has provided a solid foundation for his career in Toronto at the financial advisory firm Accuracy. His current role is focused on the Energy/Infrastructure and Valuation groups where he is actively working towards obtaining both his P.Eng and CFA designations.