Patrick Malone, a business development manager with PCL’s Civil Infrastructure Division, has played a pivotal role in his work with both Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) and Engineers in Action (EIA), two non-profit organizations dedicated to providing sustainable infrastructure projects like pedestrian bridges, water systems and sanitation facilities for underserved communities in developing countries. PCL has supported Malone’s work every step of the way. From the moment PCL became involved close to a decade ago, employees have fundraised for the cause and even traveled with Malone to build bridges. Though Malone is stepping down from his role at PCL in early 2025, he will continue his advocacy for EIA, taking on the role of board president in his retirement.

In October, Malone, along with current and retired PCL employees and EIA representatives, traveled to Bolivia to complete the Rio Caine bridge. This bridge connects over 2,100 people in Bolivia’s Tipa K’asa community and neighboring communities to essential resources such as health care, secondary education and economic opportunities that were previously unreachable due to the dangerous waters of the Rio Caine. The bridge superstructure was constructed in just over a week and, at 109 meters, is the longest a PCL team has completed for the EIA bridge program. 

“The inauguration for the Rio Caine bridge was one of the best we’ve had so far,” says Malone. “So much of the community showed up, not just for the celebration, but for the build itself. We couldn’t have completed it in time without them.”

A week prior to the beginning of construction, a young girl had died while attempting to cross the river, Malone was told, a somber reminder that building bridges can and do save lives.

Malone’s passion for this work grew from a powerful, personal connection. After seeing a presentation by Bridges to Prosperity (B2P), he felt deeply moved by the struggles of children in isolated communities risking their lives to cross treacherous rivers just to reach school.

“I thought ‘that could be my kids,” says Malone. This realization prompted him to volunteer with B2P, leading to board involvement and eventually shaping PCL’s involvement with building bridges in remote areas.

In 2018, B2P decided to focus solely on African communities, so it transferred the responsibility for South American communities to EIA. To date, Patrick has worked with PCL’s leadership, along with over 25 different PCL staff who sacrificed their own time and money to travel and construct four bridges with EIA. He also worked on four other projects with B2P, in remote regions in Panama, Uganda and Bolivia.  

Malone’s journey with EIA has been marked by both triumph and tragedy. After the unexpected passing of his 16-year-old daughter, Meredith, he grappled with profound loss and questioned his path forward. When the opportunity to join the EIA board arose, he saw a chance to honor Meredith’s memory by dedicating himself to the life-changing work she would have championed.

This vision took shape through the MerBear Memorial Bridge: Rio Huaraca in Bolivia, named in Meredith’s honor. Initially, Meredith was scheduled to be a part of a project in 2020 like her sister Macey had done in 2015, but the build was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Meredith passed away before she could participate in a bridge project.

The MerBear Memorial Bridge now stands as a tribute to her spirit, improving lives daily in the community it serves. Each subsequent bridge has been dedicated with a plaque honoring Meredith’s memory.  

Malone’s influence also extends to those who work alongside him on these transformative projects. Eric Chavez, a senior project manager with PCL’s Civil Infrastructure Division, attended the Rio Caine bridge build with the help of his 16-year-old son, Evan. “The experience had a huge impact on my son; he must have thanked me two dozen times on our way home for letting him go,” says Chavez.

Malone and his PCL colleagues have consistently encouraged involvement in EIA’s mission, underscoring the immense personal rewards of such work. “These projects really give you perspective,” says Malone. “People complain about commuting, kids hate riding the school bus, but the kids in these communities, they’re doing anything they can to advance themselves, even if it means risking their lives to get to school.”

Ethan Gingerich, EIA’s executive director, has worked closely with Malone and witnessed the impact of his contributions. “Patrick Malone has been one of EIA’s most influential supporters. He assembled a team from PCL to help us build the Huaraca pedestrian bridge in honor of his late daughter,” says Gingerich. “That was EIA’s first-ever corporate-team build, and it opened all kinds of new doors for us to expand our impact and increase the number of communities we can serve each year.”

The benefits of these projects are undeniable; Gingerich recounted his own experience with EIA, recalling a Nicaraguan community’s celebration when a pedestrian bridge was completed just before the rainy season. “During the inauguration of the bridge, the rain showed up with a vengeance,” says Gingerich. “The community ran down to the bridge and danced in the rain, celebrating the fact that the rushing river below would never again prevent them from reaching the resources they needed to live happier and more prosperous lives.”

Reflecting on his career and looking forward to his future with EIA, Malone offered advice to those considering volunteer work: “My advice to others is to leap. There’s an opportunity here to make a huge difference. Don’t sit around over-analyzing. Take full advantage when offered the chance to go down and work in these communities. Your life will be forever changed, as well as those you serve.”

As he transitions to board president at EIA, Malone leaves behind a legacy that goes far beyond construction. Through his leadership, EIA’s impact has flourished, and PCL’s support has changed lives, creating pathways to opportunity where there were once only barriers.