Dennis Woo, PhD, P.Eng.

An admired leader in one of PEO’s largest and most active chapters, Dennis Woo has led the development of novel initiatives to increase member involvement and enhance the connection between the chapter and the local community.

Known for his outstanding stewardship in managing chapter activities, Dennis has served on the executive of the York Chapter since 2007, operating as program director, communications director and as chair for two years. Under his guidance in 2014, the chapter held a record 77 events with a combined attendance of more than 2500 people. In March 2015, he led the staging of the chapter’s highlight event, the Transportation Symposium, which was attended by nearly 400 people and featured an elite list of speakers, politicians and subject matter experts, and helped to increase the visibility of engineers in the region.

To promote succession planning and recruit new members to the executive, Dennis created deputy positions for its chapter committees that provide on-the-job training and improve continuity of work. He also established the “woman in engineering” executive position, to encourage women’s involvement in the profession and provide a network for support, as well as a “business liaison” position, to increase the chapter’s presence in the business community and assist with fundraising.

“Volunteering,” Dennis says, “is a great way for all engineers to participate outside our comfort zone.”

Beyond the PEO community, Dennis has been education chair of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Toronto Section since 2008. He is also a volunteer mentor of foreign-trained professionals with the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council.

A leader with a generous spirit, Dennis has helped to raise awareness and donations for the Heart and Stroke Foundation through the chapter’s golf tournament and Big Bike events.

Watch the gala tribute video for Dennis here.