Toronto – (April 28, 2014) – Diane Freeman, P.Eng., FEC, of Waterloo, has been named a Companion of the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) Order of Honour for providing outstanding leadership within the profession. She was inducted into the order at an April 25 gala in Niagara Falls.
Freeman is a passionate voice for the value of professional engineering licensure and has been an influential leader in the profession for two decades. First elected to PEO council in 2003, representing the Western Region, she has since been an active member, at various times, of PEO’s Executive, Human Resources, Regional Councillors, Education and Discipline committees. This substantial volunteer commitment was despite the heavy demands of her consulting engineering career and, later, an additional position as an elected Waterloo City Councillor.
Seven years after joining PEO council, Freeman assumed office as PEO’s 91st president, becoming the fifth woman elected to lead the association. During the 2010-2011 term, she oversaw implementation of the most significant changes to the Professional Engineers Act since 1984. These changes: harmonized PEO requirements with national requirements; made the Act and PEO’s processes clearer and more transparent; and eliminated the Canadian citizenship or permanent residency requirement for licensure –which has made a significant difference in the lives and careers of many international engineering graduates.
Freeman has also provided valuable leadership to the profession nationally as one of Ontario’s representatives on the Board of Directors of Engineers Canada, the federation of the provincial engineering regulators, since 2011.
“Serving with Professional Engineers Ontario is a sincere pleasure for me,” Freeman says. “I am grateful for the professional skills I have learned through the work with council and committees, and I am eternally thankful for the long-term friendships I have forged.”
The Order of Honour pays tribute to individuals who have rendered conspicuous service to the engineering profession. The Order of Honour's highest distinction, the rank of Companion recognizes contributions that exceed those of Officer. It is reserved exclusively for individuals whose distinguished service has profoundly influenced the profession.
About Professional Engineers Ontario
Through the Professional Engineers Act, PEO governs over 82,000 licence and certificate holders and regulates professional engineering in Ontario to serve and protect the public. Professional engineering safeguards life, health, property, economic interests, the public welfare and the environment. Professional engineers can be identified by the P.Eng. after their names.
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