STEM NOMINEES
For outstanding advancement to the field of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math.
Award Presented by:
Sherry Shannon-Vanstone, Profound Impact
Vanda Boyd
Vanda Boyd is a purpose-driven, authentic business improvement leader who unleashes potential in others every day to amplify organizational outcomes. With over 20 years of combined retail and technology experience, she leverages her experience and skill to remove roadblocks and positively lead through change. Through collaboration and creative thought leadership, she has been able to create and implement technology modernization strategies resulting in multi-million dollar savings for organizations. She currently serves as Senior Director, In Store System Solutions at Home Hardware.
Stephanie Brasseur
Stephanie Brasseur is a Traffic Project Coordinator, with a reputation of reliability and leadership serving the City of Kitchener for over 35 years. A true pioneer in construction, she is respected in an industry with few women, coordinating road projects, major events, liaising with industry consultants and contractors. She was an integral team member of the Region’s ION project spanning 6 years. Stephanie has won numerous awards, and actively volunteers in the community and mentors young women seeking to join the industry. Her proudest accomplishment is the coordination of road closures for the World’s Longest Picnic recognized in The Guinness World Records.
Martha Breithaupt
Martha is the Founder of State of Science, an educational firm bridging the gap between science and industry in Canada today. Martha has spent over 20 years at the forefront of Canadian R&D where, for the last decade prior to founding SoS, Martha was the National R&D Tax Leader and an elected Board Member for national accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP. Her previous appointments showcase her board and innovation policy advocacy for national charitable and not-for-profit organizations and include Kawasaki Disease Canada, the International Women’s Forum and CPA Canada.
Amanda Helka
Amanda Helka is an outstanding advocate for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). A graduate of the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Doctor of Pharmacy, Amanda began her science outreach achievements during her undergraduate degree with placements with Science Outreach and Let’s Talk Science. Her enthusiasm and excitement for sharing the wonders of science led her to LAUNCH Waterloo where she initially joined as a part-time coach in youth summer programs. As Program Director, Amanda’s activities have now reached close to 30,000 children and youth across Canada.
Linda Li
Linda is an Environmental Engineer and Associate with Dillon Consulting, an employee-owned Canadian firm serving the Waterloo community since the 1970s. For 7 years, Linda has served both Canadian and International clients and contributed to complex and multidisciplinary projects in the area of water, energy, and climate change. Linda continuously strives to foster a culture of collaboration and inclusivity within STEM. Linda's dedication extends beyond her profession; she volunteers with several engineering and water associations both locally and internationally. Passionate about knowledge sharing, Linda has lectured and participated in panels at the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and TMU.
Avvey Peters
Avvey Peters just recently joined the entrepreneurial space, with her venture, NorthGuide. However, she has been guiding, mentoring and supporting entrepreneurs and startups since the early days of Communitech, one of the organizations our region should be most proud of. She has served as the Vice President External Relations, Vice President of Partnerships and held the role of Chief Strategy Officer. As Communitech gained a strong international presence, Avvey and her co-founders saw the opportunity to help communities around the world build innovation spaces, programs and strategies.
Avvey Peters
Avvey Peters just recently joined the entrepreneurial space, with her venture, NorthGuide. However, she has been guiding, mentoring and supporting entrepreneurs and startups since the early days of Communitech, one of the organizations our region should be most proud of. She has served as the Vice President External Relations, Vice President of Partnerships and held the role of Chief Strategy Officer. As Communitech gained a strong international presence, Avvey and her co-founders saw the opportunity to help communities around the world build innovation spaces, programs and strategies.
Elaheh Sanoubari
Elaheh (Ellie) Sanoubari is a Doctoral Researcher in the Department of Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo. She started her academic journey at the University of Tabriz in Iran, before undertaking a Master’s in Computer Science at the University of Manitoba. She is an interdisciplinary researcher who takes inspiration from social sciences, games design, nature and performance arts to make robots more human-friendly. At the University of Waterloo, she is part of the Social and Intelligent Robotics Research Laboratory. She has held intern and student researcher roles at Google and is currently working with Google Labs.
Savannah Sloat
Savannah is a member of the Tuscarora Nation from Six Nations of the Grand River with mixed settler ancestry from the Waterloo Region. Savannah has worked in higher education for the past decade, and currently works at the University of Waterloo as the Manager, Science Indigenous Initiatives. Savannah is passionate about culture, identity, and creating communities of care within education. She is a highly dedicated student affairs professional who has committed herself to creating positive impacts in higher education, with a current focus on STEM inclusion.
Nancy Nelson
A devoted ambassador for STEM education, Nancy is an award-winning educator and advocate for women in STEM. Nancy led the design and implementation of one of the first accredited college-based engineering degree programs in Canada and was named a 3M National Teaching Fellow, Canada’s most prestigious recognition of excellence in educational leadership and teaching at the post-secondary level.
Alongside teaching, Nancy encourages girls to pursue non-traditional careers in STEM through organizing and participating in numerous outreach events in KW, including speaking to primary and secondary students, judging Science Fairs and Skills Canada competitions, and delivering workshops that inspire curious minds.
Ellyn Winters-Robinson
Ellyn Winters-Robinson is a recent breast cancer survivor, co-founder of The Lyndall Project, co-creator of A.ai the world’s first conversational AI companion for those on the breast cancer journey, and author of the bestselling book "Flat Please Hold the Shame," a girlfriend’s companion guide for those on the breast cancer journey. She is also the co-founder and chief marketing officer of Ignition Communications, a boutique marketing communications firm, and a longtime mentor at The Accelerator Centre. Ellyn’s story has been featured in People Magazine, the Globe and Mail, Fast Company and CTV.