Panama Canal Deputy Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta recently served as a judge for the international Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering. The Panamanian engineer participated in the selection process for the prestigious global award and attended a ceremony at St James’s Palace in London featuring King Charles III. Her role highlights the growing international recognition of engineering leadership from Panama.
De Marotta confirmed her participation through her social media channels. She was part of the panel responsible for evaluating and selecting nominations for the prize, which honors bold and revolutionary engineering innovations that benefit humanity on a global scale. The ceremony she attended celebrated the latest winners of the award.
A Milestone Moment in London
During the event at the royal palace, De Marotta met the British monarch. She shared a photograph of herself shaking hands with King Charles III. In her post, she expressed pride in witnessing how engineering continues to drive global progress.
“Proud to be a direct witness to how engineering continues to drive progress, sustainability, and human impact on a global scale,” De Marotta stated. [Translated from Spanish]
Her involvement with the prize foundation underscores a significant career. Ilya Espino de Marotta broke barriers in January 2020 by becoming the first woman appointed as Deputy Administrator of the Panama Canal. She has accumulated more than 39 years of service within the organization. Her responsibilities expanded again in January 2024 when she was also named the Canal’s Sustainability Officer.
This international appointment reflects both her personal standing and the technical reputation of the waterway she helps lead. The Canal Authority often highlights its engineers’ expertise in managing one of the world’s most complex logistical operations. De Marotta’s judging role places her among a select group of global experts shaping the recognition of engineering excellence.
Her participation signals Panama’s influential role in global infrastructure and sustainable engineering circles. The Canal itself is a landmark engineering achievement. Having its senior leadership help judge a premier prize creates a direct link between the historic waterway and future innovations. It is a notable point of professional pride for the nation’s technical community.
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