For Gloria Kwong (ChemE 9T0, MEng 9T5), engineering has always been more than technical problem-solving. It is a disciplined way of thinking about complex systems—linking infrastructure, environment, policy and society—and carrying a clear responsibility to the public good.
Today, Kwong leads the Decommissioning and Environmental Remediation Section at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. There, she directs multidisciplinary teams supporting 181 member states with technical guidance, capacity building and policy advice on nuclear legacy management. Her work helps governments address environmental risks responsibly, strengthen national institutions and implement internationally accepted practices that protect people, ecosystems and public confidence over the long term.
“Engineering provides a disciplined way to understand and manage complex systems,” she says. “It enables leaders to connect technology, environment and society—and to act responsibly in the public interest.”
An early formative experience came as a design engineer at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, where Kwong saw how engineering decisions translate directly into safety outcomes and public trust.
“That experience reinforced my commitment to work in areas where technical excellence carries clear responsibility to society,” she recalls.
Her career has since spanned environmental services, nuclear safety and international policy roles in Canada and beyond. At the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, she spent more than a decade leading international initiatives on radioactive waste management, decommissioning strategy, nuclear economics and energy transition planning.
Across these roles, she has emphasized a consistent principle: technical decisions must be aligned with societal outcomes and long-term stewardship.
Kwong credits her education in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry at the University of Toronto with shaping the disciplined, systems-based thinking that guides her international technical and policy work.
“The University of Toronto provided a rigorous academic environment that strengthened my analytical thinking and encouraged intellectual independence,” she says. “It reinforced the importance of approaching complex problems methodically, while remaining open to creative solutions.”
She further advanced her expertise through doctoral studies at Imperial College London, reinforcing the technical and analytical discipline that informs her approach to complex, high-stakes challenges and decisions balancing technical evidence with long-term societal, environmental and institutional considerations. Her experience underscores a key lesson for policymakers: effective infrastructure governance depends on integrating engineering insight with institutional leadership and accountability.
Kwong’s leadership philosophy is grounded in integrity and collaboration. Working in highly technical fields underscored for Kwong the importance of preparation, clarity and professional consistency.
“Credibility is built through technical competence and sound judgment,” she notes.
At the same time, her leadership roles have highlighted the value of inclusive, multidisciplinary teams and collaboration across institutions. Her approach emphasizes evidence-based decisions, clear purpose and accountability—principles vital for governments addressing nuclear safety, environmental remediation or energy transition challenges.
Kwong emphasizes that sustainable progress depends on investing in people as well as infrastructure. She encourages governments, universities and industry to strengthen technical education, interdisciplinary training and inclusive career pathways so future engineers can address challenges that span technology, environment and society.
“Engineering careers evolve,” she says. “A strong technical foundation, combined with openness to learning beyond one’s discipline, allows leaders to adapt and contribute meaningfully.”
For students and early-career professionals, Kwong’s advice is practical: build strong analytical skills, seek mentors, stay curious and maintain professional networks. Preparation and experience build confidence—especially for those entering fields where they may be underrepresented—and diverse perspectives strengthen innovation and decision-making.
“If my experience offers any message,” she says, “it is that disciplined knowledge, applied responsibly, can make a meaningful difference.”