Education
• Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Prince
Edward Island
• Certificate in Public Sector Leadership from the University of Prince
Edward Island
• Information Management Certificate from Holland College
• Completed additional coursework through IR WA, achieving the SR/ WA
Designation in 2008
Employment
• Supervisor Provincial Roads, Government of Prince Edward Island,
Department of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy, 2007-Present.
IRWA Activities
• International Treasurer, 2017-Present
• CLIMB Certified Instructor, 2017-Present
• International Secretary, 2016-2017
• Canadian Right of Way Education Foundation, President, Vice President
and Secretary Treasurer,
2008-2010
• International Governing Council Member, 2014-Present
• International Finance Committee, 2014-Present
• International Ethics Officer, 2014-2016
• Region 8 Chair, 2014-2016; Vice Chair, 2012-2014
• Region 8 Professional
of the Year, 2013
• Canadian Right of Way Education Foundation Director, 2013-2016
• Chapter 65 President, Vice President, and Secretary, 2006-2012
• Chapter 65 Membership Chair, 2004-2006, Education Chair, 2010-2014,
Professional Development Committee Member,
2008-2011
Other
• Financial Management Institute of Canada, 2012-2015
• New Haven Riverdale Community Council, 2004-Present
• PEI Provincial Government Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
Strategic Planning Group, 2010-2012
SHARON N. SLAUENWHITE, SR/WA
Candidate for IRWA International President-Elect
In just 15 years, the International Right of Way Association will
celebrate 100 years of supporting right of way professionals.
What does the future hold? Change. Increasing use of
renewable energy, greener transportation options and
innovative urban planning all mean more change for our
industry. The world is not standing still, and neither should
the IRWA.
Climate change impacts us all, bringing engineering,
environmental and planning professionals closer than ever
before. Project management requires an integrated approach
that encompasses the expertise and insight of many industry
professionals before a survey stake is in the ground. The IRWA
prepares members for taking a seat at the project table to
offer innovative solutions and skilled expertise.
Social media and real-time access to information impact our
world and our profession by rapidly changing how and what
we communicate. These changes mean the role of the right
of way professional must adapt and be more engaged in our
communities to anticipate needs and concerns. We must be
adept at understanding those issues and be able to clearly
communicate solutions in a wide variety of ways.
But one thing that will not change is IRWA’s standing as
trusted industry experts regarded as the best in the business.
In the coming year, I hope to continue working to keep
the IRWA relevant and moving forward. It is important to
provide our members with learning opportunities that
help them adapt to change. This will require innovation in
how we deliver our services to our members, networking
opportunities to share advances in technology and best
practices, as well as a new education curriculum to better
prepare our members for those future projects. Our young
professional members are an important partner in helping to
shape our future and their input and energy will help grow
the Association.
What will the IRWA look like 15 years from now? I know that
the Association will continue to embrace our core mission of
empowering infrastructure professionals by elevating ethics,
learning and a standard of excellence that is recognized
across the globe. An important goal now and in the future
should always be to strive to be an organization that is
responsive to the needs of its members; innovative in the
services and education we provide in the ever-changing
landscape of our profession. The year 2034 will be here
before we know it, and I want to help ensure we are prepared
for it. I ask for your support as I submit my candidacy for
International President - Elect, so that I may work towards
that important goal as a member of the International
Executive Committee.
Thank you.
Sharon has been a member of IRWA’s Atlantic
Canada Chapter 65, Region 8 since 2003.