Meet the President: Kamran Ata, P.Eng.

With more than 30 years of experience spanning military, municipal, territorial and consulting environments, Kamran Ata, P.Eng., brings a broad perspective to his new role as President of NAPEG. Having volunteered with the association for more than a decade, he has played a key role in many of NAPEG’s professional development and governance initiatives. We recently sat down with Kamran to learn more about his career journey, his priorities for the profession and what he hopes to accomplish during his term.

I have been fortunate to build a career in civil engineering spanning more than three decades. My journey began after earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Military College of Engineering in Pakistan in 1990. I then spent 18 years serving with the Corps of Engineers in the Pakistan Army, where I gained experience in large-scale infrastructure projects, strategic planning and international assignments.

After immigrating to Canada, I completed a Master of Engineering at the University of Waterloo and worked with municipalities in Ontario, focusing on asset management. In 2010, I moved to the Northwest Territories with a desire to contribute to meaningful infrastructure development in a unique and challenging environment.

What continues to motivate me about working in the North is the opportunity to work on projects that have a direct and lasting impact on communities. The challenges are different here, but so are the opportunities.

Working in the North has reinforced the importance of adaptability, collaboration and respect for local knowledge. Projects often require innovative solutions and strong partnerships with communities, regulators and stakeholders. It has taught me the value of listening, understanding different perspectives and working together to achieve practical, sustainable outcomes. Those lessons have shaped my leadership approach throughout my career.

A Decade of Service to NAPEG

I have been actively involved with NAPEG since 2011. Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving twice as Vice-President and contributing extensively to the Professional Development Committee.

Some of the most rewarding experiences have been helping support NAPEG’s annual Professional Development Symposium, Strategic Plan updates and Engineers Canada governance reviews. The annual symposiums, in particular, provide valuable learning opportunities for members and foster collaboration across disciplines. Seeing the positive impact of these initiatives on our membership has been incredibly rewarding.

At this stage in my career, taking on the role of President felt like an opportunity to give back to a profession that has given me so much. Having worked across multiple sectors and regions, I feel well-positioned to support the continued growth and evolution of NAPEG. I was also encouraged by peers who have made significant contributions to the association over the years.

Looking Ahead

The engineering and geoscience professions in the North are facing both significant opportunities and complex challenges. We are seeing increased investment in infrastructure, resource development and community resilience, while also navigating climate change impacts, logistical constraints and shortages in local technical capacity.

There is also an important opportunity to strengthen partnerships with Indigenous governments and communities to ensure development is sustainable and aligned with local priorities. Supporting workforce development and attracting talent to the North will remain key priorities.

As President, I hope to focus on supporting the successful implementation of new legislation and governance improvements, strengthening professional development opportunities for members, enhancing engagement across the NWT and Nunavut, promoting workforce development and local capacity building, and ensuring northern perspectives continue to be represented at the national level.

I am particularly encouraged by NAPEG’s commitment to modernization and continuous improvement. The implementation of new legislation provides an opportunity to strengthen governance, enhance regulatory effectiveness and better serve the public interest. At the same time, the strategic planning work positions the association to respond proactively to emerging challenges and opportunities across the North.

For members considering becoming more involved with NAPEG, I would strongly encourage it. Volunteering is a great way to contribute to the profession, expand your network and gain valuable leadership experience. My own experience has been rewarding both professionally and personally, and it offers a meaningful opportunity to help shape the future of engineering and geoscience practice in the North.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family, participating in community activities and keeping up with developments in engineering and technology. I also value opportunities for continuous learning and mentoring younger professionals. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had throughout my career and for the support of colleagues and the broader engineering and geoscience community. It is an honour to serve as President of NAPEG, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the professions and to the communities we serve across the North.