Marg Latham: Civil Engineer, Mentor & Leader in Inclusive Practice
Take a break, we’re on Smoko. This week, we’re honoured to sit down with Marg Latham, P.Eng.—a trailblazer in civil engineering, project management, and professional mentorship whose career has reshaped how we think about leadership and inclusion in STEM.
Marg was the only woman to graduate in civil engineering from Queen’s University in 1974. Since then, she has shattered barriers across Canada’s engineering and construction sectors—managing major residential projects, becoming UMA Group’s first female VP, and later helping develop quality systems that improved engineering standards nationwide.
“I didn't just want to build structures—I wanted to build spaces where people could thrive, grow, and connect.” – Marg Latham
In this episode, we trace Marg’s career from the construction site to executive leadership roles at UMA and AECOM, and into her consulting practice, Aqua Libra Consulting. Marg shares how she’s helped over 200 organizations through Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Organizational Quality Management Program and her ongoing work to strengthen professional safety and practice management plans.
We also explore her volunteer leadership with WinSETT and Canadian Construction Women, where she’s helped open doors for women across science, trades, and technology professions. Her mentorship and advocacy work continue to inspire systemic change in Canada’s technical sectors.
Marg’s story is a powerful reminder that great engineering is about more than structures—it’s about creating systems, spaces, and cultures where everyone can contribute and thrive.