STEM Award
For outstanding advancement to the field of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math.
Award Presented By: Sherry Shannon-Vanstone, Profound Impact
STEM NOMINEES
Martha Breithaupt
Martha is the National Leader of the new Clean Technology Tax Credit Practice at BDO and Founder of State of Science,
an educational firm bridging the gap between science and industry in Canada today. Martha has spent nearly 25 years at the forefront of Canadian R&D helping hundreds of companies access funding to accelerate their innovation. 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.
Charmaine Dean
Dr. Charmaine Dean is an acclaimed academic leader, statistician, and advocate for equity with 35+ years of impact. As Vice-President, Research and International at the University of Waterloo, she has led nearly $1B in research funding and forged transformative partnerships. She chaired the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce, embedding systemic change
through 88 strategic recommendations. Internationally recognized with honors like the SSC Gold Medal and France’s Order of Academic Palms, Dr. Dean’s legacy lies in bridging research excellence with bold, inclusive leadership. Her career exemplifies the highest standards of impact, service, and lasting contribution to Canadian society and beyond.
Kimberly Hebeisen
Kimberly Hebeisen is the Co-Founder and Executive Creative Director of Mind Model AI, a company that brings advanced automation solutions tailored to real-world business problems. She leads branding and strategy behind products like AIVA and Pixel Brain, helping businesses streamline operations and work smarter. A STEM Award nominee, Kimberly also created the ageai.io seminar series to make emerging technologies more accessible. Through mentorship, education, and community service, she brings clarity to complexity—ensuring AI is not only powerful, but practical, ethical, and inclusive.
Ellyn Winters-Robinson
Ellyn Winters-Robinson is a breast cancer survivor, CEO of The Lyndall Project, co-creator of AskEllyn, 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, Fast Company, the Globe and Mail, and CTV.
Avvey Peters
Avvey Peters is a leader in Waterloo Region's tech sector, and spent 15 years as part of the leadership team at
Communitech, one of Canada's leading innovation Hubs. She co-founded and led Canada's Tech Network and has been recognized with a SaaS North Star award for her longstanding contributions to Canada's tech sector. Avvey and her NorthGuide co-founders now use their Waterloo Region tech and innovation experience to help communities around the world build innovation spaces, programs and strategies that support community prosperity.
Amy Tai
Amy Tai, a STEM rising star and recent Systems Engineering master's graduate from the University of Waterloo, has
made significant strides in cancer detection and treatment. Her innovative research leverages AI and computer vision to enhance breast cancer imaging, improving visualization and treatment prediction. Amy’s work has attracted substantial media attention, including CBC and Global News coverage. With 25 scientific articles, 17 poster presentations, and 5 international conference presentations, her contributions to the field are remarkable. Her groundbreaking work positions her as a trailblazer in STEM, inspiring future generations in medical imaging and AI-driven healthcare solutions.