Ilya Marotta is known in Panama as “the woman who led the Panama Canal Expansion Program.” As EVP for Engineering and Programs Management for the Panama Canal Authority, she is responsible for preparing the designs and specifications for all Panama Canal Projects. She is the first woman to hold the EVP of Engineering position in the Panama Canal’s 100-year history.

Ilya has worked for the Panama Canal Commission/ Panama Canal Authority for more than 30 years, and was involved in many capacities leading up to the opening of the expanded Panama Canal in 2016. With a degree in Marine Engineering she began as a design engineer in the Industrial Division, the shipyard where all Canal floating equipment is repaired. She also worked for the dredging division; the Mechanical Engineering Branch; as a valuation engineer for the accounting division; and as Capital Program Coordinator for Maritime Operations. She participated in the development of the Panama Canal Master Plan and the Expansion Proposal presented for national referendum in 2006.

After the referendum passed, Ilya was appointed Executive Manager of the engineering department’s Resource Planning and Project Control Division, responsible for supervising environmental services, security, budget, risk assessment, cost control and execution time, communication and historical documentation and legal services. In 2012 she was appointed as EVP of Engineering.

Ilya is a familiar sight, whether on the ground in her pink hardhat and vest – or boarding a helicopter to survey the ongoing projects from above. Her Vice-Presidency also supervises the canal’s maintenance, operation and construction contracts, and the purchase of goods and services.

Among the awards she has received are being named 2014 “Outstanding Woman of the Year” by the Panamanian Association of Business Executives and the “Distinguished Woman Award” from the Association of Professional and Business Women of Panama. She has been recognized by The Circle of Intellectual Women of Panama for its Technology and Engineering achievement award. She was also one of the recipients of the “2016 Women Who Make a Difference” award by the International Women’s Forum, and was named on the list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Central America by Forbes Mexico.