Episode #23
Regine Beauboeuf: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers
What does it take to become the first woman ever to lead one of North America's most historic border crossings, and why would someone walk away from retirement to do it? On this episode of The BOBcast, host Bob Riney sits down with Regine Beauboeuf, CEO of American Roads and the first woman to run the 95-year-old Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, to trace her journey from a childhood in Haiti to the front lines of major infrastructure projects like the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Regine opens up about the mentors who shaped her: her father's discipline, her mother's compassion, and how a "creative laziness" in chemistry class nudged her toward a four-decade engineering career instead. She reflects candidly on what it means to be "the first," why she's determined to make sure she isn't the last, and how nearly 1,600 healthcare workers cross the tunnel daily, binding Detroit and Windsor into one true regional community. It's a conversation about borders, resilience, and the surprising ways infrastructure connects not just cities, but people's lives. Time Stamps Career Path 2:06- Regine described growing up in Haiti, learning leadership from her father and compassion from her mother, and beginning engineering-related work as her father’s administrative assistant at age 10. 3:41- Her fluency in English, French, and Creole supported international work, including an expatriate assignment in Montreal on Quebec’s first public-private partnership project. Regional Connections 4:47- The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel supports a shared regional community, with about 1,600 healthcare workers using it daily and an exchange of people, innovation, services, and skills. 6:15- Regine worked on the Gordie Howe International Bridge beginning in 2000, including feasibility studies and preliminary engineering. She later supported efforts related to financing and project delivery. Tunnel Leadership 7:30- The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel opened in 1930 and marked its 95th anniversary. Regine emphasized its engineering significance, reliability, safety, maintenance, and preservation. 10:13- As the first woman CEO of American Roads, she is focused on modernizing the tunnel, improving technology use, and helping employees embrace a new vision. Leadership Advice 11:00- Regine mentors others and wants to help create future second, third, fourth, and fifth women leaders in transportation. 11:36- Her advice to early-career professionals is to avoid competing with others, focus on personal growth, and aim to be better today than yesterday. Personal Life 12:00- Regine enjoys travel, including visits to Bali, France, and Paris, and also makes scented candles when time permits.
