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In the driver’s seat
As a leader in transportation, Karla Avis-Birch takes the road less travelled
BY SUE HORNER
WITH A PERSONAL motto of “Keep it movin’,” Karla Avis-Birch, Civil Engineer ing ’98, is, appropriately, a leading personality in the transportation industry.
Now vice-president, capital projects group at Metrolinx, Avis-Birch advanced from project financial engineer to manager, controls and standards to VP. She leads an integrated team of business, technical and consulting professionals in the delivery of a multi-billion-dollar asset portfolio
In 2017, Infrastructure Canada also selected Avis-Birch as a board member for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, which oversees construction of a bridge at one of the busiest Canada-U.S. border crossings.
“When I graduated from Ryerson, I had no idea I would end up in transportation,” says Avis-Birch, who is also a professional engineer. “I’m grateful the work I’m doing is connecting communities and helping people move around the region, and proud that Metrolinx is leading on issues like gender balance at the senior management level.”
Although Avis-Birch considers herself lucky, she has never believed in waiting for something to happen. “I’ve inched my way up in my professional career, and when opportunities came up, I was ready,” she says.
The choice of engineering was intentional, but on her first day at Ryerson, she was told success at school while working part-time, living outside the city and getting married wasn’t possible.
“The fighter in me said, ‘I’ll show you,’” says Avis-Birch.
She’s proud of both graduating from Ryerson and working with another student to launch a local chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers of Canada. Its mission: To increase the number of Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively affect the community.
“It created a network I otherwise wouldn’t have had,” Avis-Birch adds.
She’s philosophical about her career trajectory. “The accolades may not always come, there will always be critics, but if you do the right thing for the right reason, in the end it will work.” 
38 Ryerson University Magazine / Summer 2019
