Lisa Hastings, Manager of Technical Services in our Regina office, credits her father as the biggest influence in her life. As a child, she was always interested in how things worked and in building things. Lisa tells us, “My father encouraged my interests. He taught me woodworking and included me in projects he worked on. Most importantly, he told me I could do and be whatever I want to be.” 

Lisa’s interests in building things led to drafting classes in high school and to a diploma in Engineering Design and Drafting Technology at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton. She began her career working in a wide range of positions in the pipeline, oil exploration, manufacturing, and municipal sectors. In 2007, Lisa joined Associated Engineering as a Drafting Technologist on subdivision infrastructure projects. She tells us she was attracted to Associated because we are an employee-owned engineering firm that has been in business for many years and has a solid reputation. 

As a project manager, Lisa enjoys the diverse challenges that managing projects offers. She shares, “I have always been client-focused. I like collaborating with our clients and our project teams. I believe client service is the most important part of my job, and I work to provide our clients with the best service possible. For me service means responding promptly to my clients’ emails and phone calls. I try to get back to my clients within a day to answer their questions. I want them to know that they are important to me, and, if I can’t answer their questions, I will track down the answer, and get back to them.”

“I believe communication with my clients and team are an important part of successful projects. A lack of communication is often the key reason for project issues.” 

Lisa acknowledges that tough conversations can be challenging, but through experience, she feels that having these conversations can become easier. She explains, “Tough conversations often lead to win-win solutions. I enjoy solving problems with solutions that fit for all parties. Sometimes solutions solve the problem, but don’t actually ‘fit’, for example, due to budget or client expectations. Collaborating with clients and the project team to find the ‘fit’ that makes the client happy is what I find most rewarding.”

Lisa has a successful track record on projects. A highlight includes a Habitat for Humanity build on one of her projects. She recalls, “It was a rewarding and fantastic team-building experience.” Another memorable project is the Chuka Creek Channelization and Sedimentation Ponds in Regina, which was a turning point in her career as, along with design and drafting tasks, it was her first time doing fieldwork on a project.

Currently, Lisa is enjoying her role managing the Technical Services team in Regina. She is proud to have a talented group of people who are driven to do their best. She also believes that internal clients and her project teams are integral to the success of the work and that everyone brings something important to the team. Lisa says, “I believe collaboration and communication with my team, keeping everyone informed, lead to success.”

Lisa credits her success to mentors who have guided and influenced her career. She encourages colleagues to take advantage of the company’s formal Mentoring Program, which includes one-on-one mentoring and Mentoring Circles. She says, “Mentoring benefits both employees and the company.” Lisa has led three Mentoring Circles and says it has helped her meet new people and become more comfortable leading group discussions. 

Lisa advises young staff to ask questions. She advises those new to consulting engineering to be a sponge and be open to new opportunities to develop skills and experience.

“There really is no such thing as a bad question. Also, don’t be so worried about making a mistake that it stops you from doing something.”

In her free time, Lisa enjoys gardening, house renovations and improvements, painting, reading, and creating stained glass art. She also likes to spend time with her family. Lisa participates in kettlebell kickboxing with her two daughters, and enjoys golfing, walking, and having coffee with her husband. With three dogs and a cat, life is very busy for Lisa and her family!