Employee-Owner Spotlight: Mirna Pehar Bowen, P.E.

Whether she’s leading structural projects across Florida or performing on stage with the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, Mirna Pehar Bowen, P.E., brings dedication, focus, and creativity to every role she takes on. As a Project Manager and Florida Branch Leader, Mirna has spent the last decade designing safe and efficient structures for a wide variety of project types, including hotels, apartments, medical offices, educational facilities, restaurants, and commercial spaces.

Learn more about Mirna in the spotlight below.

Question 1: What inspired you to join Providence, and what has kept you here?

The opportunity to start a new office and lead that effort in the Tampa Bay Area which has been my home for the last 26 years. The great engineers that I get to work with have kept me here.

Question 2: What does being an employee-owner mean to you?

It means that I have the opportunity to make an impact in the company.

Question 3: What’s a project or accomplishment you’re particularly proud of?

The Hyatt Place in downtown Tampa was the first high rise project in my career that I designed all the structural elements on including the post tensioned slabs, columns, beams, walls, and foundations.

Question 4: Describe Providence in 3 words.

Reliable, Timely, Flexible.

Question 5: If you weren’t an engineer, what profession would you be in?

I would be a classical musician (I play percussion). Or I would be an accountant because it is still numbers focused and I am very detail oriented.

Question 6: What’s the most unusual job or task you’ve ever had?

Helping design the connection plan to hang a plane at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Question 7: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

One of my mentors early in my career told me to remember that there is always another addendum and that nothing is worth stressing over and working into the late hours to get into a particular drawing set, because there is still time to address it before the building gets built.

Question 8: What’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?

Don’t be afraid to speak up.

Question 9: Who is/was your biggest role model?

My parents.

Question 10: What’s one movie, book, or TV show you never get tired of?

Gilmore Girls.

Question 11: What’s your hidden talent or hobby most people don’t know about?

I love wakeboarding. I also play in a professional orchestra.

Question 12: What’s a fun fact about you that always surprises people?

I speak three languages fluently and am an immigrant. Or that I have a twin sister.

Question 13: What’s your all-time favorite guilty pleasure snack or treat?

Nutella!

Question 14: What’s the first concert you ever attended?

Aaron Carter.

I don’t really have a bucket list, just want to live a happy life.

Question 16: What’s your go-to karaoke song or pump-up anthem?

“Wannabe” by Spice Girls.

Question 17: If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it at work?

Flying! I would use it to get to and from work as well as on site visits to get a better view of the structure of the building.

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Stay tuned each month as we continue to highlight more of our employee-owners and share their unique stories. We’re excited to showcase the people who make Providence a great place to work!