News Article

Catherine Leslie, executive director of Engineers Without Borders – USA, will discuss “Engineering for the Future: Sustainable Development in Kigali, Rwanda” from noon-1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22, in the Gonzaga University Administration Building Room 101. The event is free and open to the public.

The event is sponsored by t he GU Forum, a group of faculty that has planned a series of discussions on globalization that it hopes will create spaces for interdisciplinary dialogue and engagement on contemporary social and political issues.

“We, as engineers, have a responsibility to the world, whether working for a large corporation or a nonprofit,” said Leslie, whose talk will demonstrate how both roles can work together for the good of a developing community in Kigali, Rwanda.

Leslie, also the civil engineering and land planning manager of Tetra Tech Inc., is a licensed civil engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the design and management of civil engineering projects. She began her work in developing countries as a Peace Corps Volunteer stationed in Nepal where she developed solutions related to drinking water and sanitation projects. She is responsible for ensuring the success of numerous projects.

Leslie’s areas of technical expertise include transportation facilities and storm water facility design. She directs the engineering efforts required for master systems planning, feasibility studies, preliminary designs, final designs, construction engineering, and construction management for environmental work, roadways, pipelines, and storm water facilities. She coordinates all facets of engineering, such as civil, geotechnical, environmental, and water quality engineering, to ensure successful projects.

For more information, contact Laura Brunell, GU associate professor of political science, via e-mail at brunell@gonzaga.edu or at (509) 323-6679.