Our Team

Steven Vaivada, Alberta engineer, Owner/President of Scout Engineering and Consulting Ltd.
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Steven Vaivada, B.Sc., P.Eng.

Owner/President

B. Sc. in Civil Engineering
Licensed Professional with APEGA

Steven is a proud member of the Kainai Nation, part of the Blackfoot Nation, and the dynamic force behind Scout Engineering & Consulting Ltd. He’s been a consulting engineer since 2006 and has volunteered for and supported a variety of Indigenous support organizations, including the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee and the Blackfoot Confederacy Entrepreneurs Committee.

In a quest to challenge the status quo, Steven founded Scout Engineering & Consulting Ltd. He created a systemic approach to delivering engineering services that tries to address the root causes of the poor, failing infrastructure in Indigenous Communities. As the sole owner of Scout, Steven continues to hold to his unwavering commitment and purpose: creating a company that’s changing the industry of Consulting Engineers.

Steven is a proud husband and father who spends his spare time mountain biking, skiing, and learning. In addition to being an engineering guru, Steven has built public art installations for the science and art festival, Beakerhead. He has also owned two businesses before founding Scout and is the majority owner of Scout Hydrovac, a non-destructive locating service based out of Edmonton and Calgary.

On working at Scout

“I can't imagine working somewhere else, this is the only place I can act on the values I hold and share a positive vision for Indigenous communities that is based on mutual success and understanding. We work incredibly hard to create a culture that allows our employees to show up whole and healthy, there's nothing like it that I've experienced.”

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What does Truth and Reconciliation mean to you?

The Truth in the TRC is incredibly important, we have to bring the two histories of Canada together into one. The Indigenous history of Canada goes back thousands of years and acknowledges the land and our inherent human existence (a small part of a larger, transcendent story) while the non-Indigenous history begins at "Contact" and ignores the people that had lived on the land and knew every stream and hill. There can be no Reconciliation without Truth. 

What's your most challenging project?

Creating Scout! Every day I have to show up ready to tackle any issue and see the challenges we will face in the months and years ahead, and inevitably I fail. But our team is full of leaders, and we pick each other up, so despite the difficulty and uncertainty of creating Scout, it becomes easy when I look around at the people in our company and know we are there to support each other.

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Marielle Flottat, M.A., B.Sc., P.Eng.

Project Manager

MA in Leadership
B. Sc. in Chemical Engineering
Licensed Professional with APEGA

Marielle joined Scout in 2018, bringing with her a unique passion for redefining an engineer’s role to bring social change, as well as more than 15 years of experience in project management. She’s dedicated to working with Indigenous communities to advance on-reserve engineering and infrastructure in a way that respects Indigenous knowledge and ways of life. Marielle holds an M.A. in Leadership from Royal Roads University and a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary.

As a leader within Scout, Marielle believes in co-creating Scout’s culture, vision, and values with all employees. She empowers others to think creatively and creates space for individuals to thrive. As a project manager and advisor, she’s responsible for managing and executing projects to meet the client’s needs, developing engagement strategies, and facilitating effective communication with Indigenous Communities and stakeholders.

Outside of Scout, Marielle is an avid skier! During the winter, you will find her on the slopes practicing her telemark turns, or helping others as a ski patroller. She is a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol and has been a patroller at the Lake Louise Ski Resort since 2010. Marielle is also passionate about adult education. She has taught at Mount Royal University, SAIT, and the University of Calgary. She fosters an empathetic and hands-on approach in her teaching style and encourages students to become societal leaders.

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What does Truth and Reconciliation mean to you?

It means being uncomfortable and taking ownership of Canada’s dark past. Truth and Reconciliation is an ongoing journey of learning and unlearning, addressing implicit biases, and raising voices of Indigenous People.

What makes you proud to work at Scout?

We are not a typical engineering company! We take a lot of pride of experimenting with new ways of thinking, and new ways on how we work with each other and with clients.

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Samantha McGuirk, B.Sc.

Project Manager

B. Sc. in Human Ecology
Project Management Professional Development Certificate

Samantha holds expertise in adapting facilitation tools and techniques to respect and honor the unique cultural values, traditions, and needs of the Indigenous Communities she serves. She works closely with these communities, as well as with Knowledge Keepers and Elders, to foster meaningful dialogue between public stakeholders and project teams using the IAP2 public participation model.

Samantha maintains a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous Communities and to building a more equitable and sustainable future for all Canadians through the spirit of Reconciliation.

Sam is an experienced DIYer - spending most of her free time renovating her 1950s home and hanging out with her dogs.

On working at Scout

“I have always known that I wanted to make a difference, but it hasn’t always been clear to me what that looks like in a career. Moving through different industries I was always the “jack of all trades”, able to excel in many areas and yet never really fitting in any box, ultimately parting ways in the search for a greater feeling of purpose. Working with Scout has allowed me every opportunity to make a difference in the communities we work in, support my teammates in their growth, and work on challenging projects to grow my own skills. I’m extremely grateful to be part of this company."

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What does Truth and Reconciliation mean to you?

To me, Truth and Reconciliation includes acknowledging the harmful truth of our country’s history and the resulting complex social, economic and psychological outcomes spanning generations. It means practicing empathy for those negatively impacted by colonialism, respecting the culture and traditional practices of Indigenous Peoples, and challenging the accepted best practices in our industry that are rooted in colonialism.

What’s your most challenging project?

My most challenging current project is the Peace-Athabasca Delta Water Control Structures Project. The Peace-Athabasca Delta is a complex water system, part of the Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site. The goals of the project are to improve navigation along traditional routes and improve vegetation and wildlife habitat through raising water levels in Mamawi Lake and Lake Claire. This project includes many stakeholders, several appointed consultants, and ever-changing project needs.

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Michael LaRocque

Project Consultant

Journeyman Carpenter
Interprovincial Red Seal

Michael is an experienced project consultant who’s worked on an array of infrastructure projects with Scout. His capabilities and expertise in areas such as project management, cultural sensitivity, relationship building, and capacity building make him an integral member of the Scout team. Michael has more than two decades of experience in the construction industry and throughout his career has transitioned from hands-on work to office-based project management.

On working at Scout

“One of the things that I’ve always dreamed about is seeing more representation of Indigenous People in key project roles. It’s been a long-time vision of mine, and now, with Scout, it’s more than just a dream, it’s a reality that I get to play a part in. I can’t tell you how thankful I am to be at Scout where I can help bring this vision to life. The fact that it aligns so perfectly with my own aspirations is incredible and I feel like it’s a real step toward meaningful change in the industry.”

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What does Truth and Reconciliation mean to you?

Truth and Reconciliation is all about fixing the past wrongs Indigenous Peoples faced because of colonialism. It’s about owning up to these bad things that happened and understanding how those past hurts still affect people today, including myself. I’ve seen first-hand the trauma it caused in my own family, the struggles my parents had to deal with, and that’s not something you can easily forget. It’s a painful legacy, but it’s also fuel for change. The aim now is to heal those old wounds, make things fair, and build a society where everyone’s treated right.

What’s your most challenging project?

Figuring out what Scout really is, that’s a tricky one for me. We’ve got our hands in so many things and it’s like a new challenge every day—but that’s also the exciting part. There’s such a big, wide world out there with so many issues that need addressing, it makes me want to roll up my sleeves and dive into everything. But, I’ve got to remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. So, as long as I keep moving forward, things will get better every day for the communities we’re working with and the strong, brave, and inspiring people who live in them.

Esther Wurtz

Administrator/Bookkeeper

Working out of Red Deer, Esther takes on multiple tasks in addition to her administrative and bookkeeping duties to help our Scout team anywhere she’s able to. She has a bubbly spirit and a willingness to learn, making her an invaluable member of the Scout team.

In her free time, you can find Esther accompanying her niece on various adventures, spending time with her family and friends, or enjoying creative hobbies such as scrapbooking, photography, and quilting.

On working at Scout

“Scout values a team spirit where we are all treated equally, but are valued for our unique talents. Our team is our community and as a community, we help one another as we help the outside communities within our projects. We are always striving to make a positive change.”

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What does Truth and Reconciliation mean to you?

Truth and Reconciliation is about being aware of the wrongs that we’ve done to Canada’s Indigenous Peoples while teaching current and future generations to do better. We need to stand up for Indigenous Canadians and celebrate what they’ve conquered, helping to ensure they never again endure what they have in the past. It’s about showing compassion and love for our Indigenous Communities and cultures while allowing healing to take place.

What’s your most challenging project?

One of my favorite challenges is that there’s always something new to learn and help with. What you might think the day is going to be filled with can be flipped on a dime and your whole day can look completely different while being just as rewarding.

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Alyson Allen, B. Sc., E.I.T.

Junior Project Engineer in Training

B. Sc. in Materials Engineering
Certificate in Sustainable Energy
Certificate in Forensic Engineering

With a strong passion for the environment and sustainability, Alyson is an advocate for positive change and meeting community needs. She’s a lifelong learner who’s always willing to challenge the status quo through experimentation and curiosity. At Scout, Alyson is always willing to help out with projects, whether it’s through project controls, preparing project information for broad audiences, or anything else.

Outside of work, Alyson spends her time trying out an array of new hobbies. Currently, you can find her meticulously cross-stitching, attempting to crochet clothing, being competitive in video games, or hiking in the mountains.

On working at Scout

“Scout's values and vision aren't just ideas, they're brought to life with the work we do. To me, the value of making a difference, and not just thinking about it, aligns the most. We aren't willing to accept things just for the way they are; we are willing to dive deeper, listen to community needs, and use our passion to create meaningful outcomes. I have always wanted to work on projects where I can bring positive change, no matter how big or small, and the team at Scout has helped me improve my confidence and collaboration to help support these differences."

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What does Truth and Reconciliation mean to you?

Truth and Reconciliation is necessary for empowering Indigenous Communities across the country. Truth starts with humility, empathy, active listening, and learning about history and ongoing systemic challenges that Indigenous Peoples still face today. Reconciliation involves fostering healing, preserving culture, and respecting traditional land use and ways of life. Actions and changes that address the specific needs of each community in a way that’s sustainable for generations to come. Through unwavering support, uplifting voices, and challenging systemic issues, a more inclusive and equitable future can be shaped.

What’s your most challenging project?

Transforming technical information into a format that’s accessible and easily understood by diverse audience. By creating posters and presentations, our goal was to help audiences connect with our work and easily receive feedback on our project. Learning how to identify the important ideas of our projects to communicate to audiences, while challenging, has helped me continuously learn and be excited about what we do.

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Hammad Jammal, M.S., B. Sc., E.I.T.

Junior Project Engineer in Training

Masters in Civil Engineering
B. Sc. in Civil Engineering

With a hard hat perched atop a beaming smile, Hammad has engaged in projects across three continents, leaving behind remarkable structures and trails of friendship and cherished memories. Armed with a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, he thrives in tackling complex projects where ingenuity paves the way to success.

While he may be fierce and prudent at work, he embraces the randomness of life with an open heart and an inquisitive mind. Beyond blueprints, Hammad is both a strategic thinker and a sports enthusiast. You’ll catch him carefully planning his moves on a chessboard, skillfully assisting his teammates on a soccer field, or confidently executing techniques on a jiu-jitsu mat. 

On working at Scout

“I've always been driven by a constant pursuit of self-development and competence, using knowledge to create a better world and help others. Scout’s commitment to honoring Indigenous history and promoting a more equitable future resonates deeply with my admiration for the strength of the Indigenous Peoples. I am enthusiastic about contributing my skills and expertise to support their journey towards positive change and progress.”

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What does Truth and Reconciliation mean to you?

Truth and Reconciliation to me means acknowledging the painful truths of the past with accountability and compassion. It's about recognizing the injustices and working collectively to heal and create positive change for a more inclusive and equitable future. Embracing our true history empowers us to learn, grow, and build a better society together.

What makes you proud to work at Scout?

At Scout, I'm proud to be part of a close-knit family building something extraordinary for the future. The unwavering trust and support we share make challenges thrilling adventures. It's not just a job; it's a heartwarming journey of passion and collaboration!

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Reyaan Shuaib, M.S., B. Comm., B.Sc.

HR Generalist 

MS in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
B. Sc. in Biological Sciences and Psychology
B. Comm. in Business Law and Economics

Reyaan's educational background means she has a knack for understanding what makes people tick. She’s dedicated to finding the perfect work-life balance and creating a culture that works for Scout’s employees. Her passion lies in recruiting and interviewing to uncover those hidden gems who’d fit perfectly with Scout’s vision, values, and culture.

In her free time, you can find Reyaan playing guitar for one of her three fans, adventuring somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, or in the middle of a fiercely competitive game of ping pong. She believes in lifelong learning and challenges herself to experiment in the pursuit of continuous self-improvement.

On working at Scout

“Scout’s value of joyful energy resonates with me most. The energy in a workplace is contagious, and Scout’s employees bring their authentic selves to work every day, making it easy to connect with each other and remember we are a work family just as much as we are a team.”

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What does Truth and Reconciliation mean to you?

Truth and Reconciliation goes deeper than just words and promises. It means continuous learning, empathetic listening, and genuine accountability. We must actively seek understanding of Indigenous history and, through that understanding, carry out actions that restore and heal Indigenous Communities.

What makes you proud to work at Scout?

The meaningful work we do. I care about the well-being of Scout employees even more because of this—the team is directly involved with improving communities in need.

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Scout Engineering & Consulting Ltd. is permitted to practice by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists in Alberta (APEGA) and is a Canadian Aboriginal Certified Business.

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