FIRST Robotics Canada is proud to collaborate with corporate executives, educational institutional leaders, and passionate individuals who all believe in success for, and inclusion and acceptance of, girls and young women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The Girls in STEM Executive Advisory Council will offer insight and oversight that will help us break down the barriers of girls in STEM, encourage girls and young women to become innovative and successful leaders of the future, and build the foundation for systematic change for acceptance and inclusion of girls in STEM.
Contact us to hear about our initiatives, including:
1. Dads for Daughters in STEM Campaign – Ask the Council to present at your corporate workplace to raise awareness and education about the importance of male champions on girls and young women in STEM. To find out more information about this campaign, click here.
2. Allyship Resources and Guide – Find out how you can encourage allyship and positive spaces through our resources. Applicable to schools, communities and workplaces.
3. Speaker Blog Series – Various in-person and online speaker series and brainstorming with like-minded individuals who want to make a difference.

Girls in STEM Executive Advisory Council

Natalie Benitah
Commercial Partners, Go-To-Market Leader
Microsoft Canada Inc.

Pamela Blais
Integrated Architecture Technical Consultant
Rockwell Automation

Dawn Britton
Associate Director, Engineering Outreach Office University of Toronto, Faculty of Engineering

Dorothy Byers
Chair of the Board of Directors at FIRST Robotics Canada Former Head of School at St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School

Emily Chung
Senior Science and Technology Journalist CBCNews.ca

Dr. Imogen Coe
Professor and Dean Faculty of Science at Ryerson University

Dr. James Elliott Coleshill
Professor, Information and Communications Technology Seneca College

Raman Dang
Citizen and Corporate Affairs Manager Microsoft Canada Inc.

Dr. Eugenia Duodu
Executive Director Visions of Science and Award-winning Chemist

Carol Fraser
Global Director, HR Programs Magna International

Julia Hanigsberg
President & CEO Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Mark Hardy
VP, Product Management Synnex Canada

Dr. Gilbert Lai
Software Engineer Quanser

Heather McDermott
Trade Commissioner, Life Sciences Global Affairs Canada

Annika Pint
Program Manager, FIRST LEGO League Challenge

Adam Proulx
Senior Manager, Member Communities CompTIA

Stephanie Thompson
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, General Motors General Motors

Sangeetha Vigneswaran
Project Manager Aecon Utility Engineering

Luc Villeneuve
President Benchmark Corp

Bruce Wannamaker
Vice President and Investment Counsellor RBC Wealth Management – PH&N Investment Counsel

Natalie Wood
Sales Manager and Professional Engineer Lakeside Process Controls

Dr. Sheryl Staub French
Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering Goldcorp Professor for Women in Engineering at UBC
Blog
Schneider Electric
FIRST Canada Youth Council Members Ishan B and Michelle D had the pleasure of interviewing Schneider Electric employees Amrit Takhar, Human Resources Business Partner & Talent Management Specialist, and Parmita
FIRST Alumni Careers: Elizabeth Moses
Elizabeth Moses is an ambassador for Build a Dream and she’s also a graduate of the FIRST program! Elizabeth is now part of the team at Windsor Mold Inc.
Unbound Curiosity: An Interview with RBC’s Ingrid Versnel
by Shahed Saleh, FIRST Team 4903 and Girls in STEM Student Advisory Council Member The true beauty of the human mind is its seemingly boundless ability to learn. When facing adversity
Knowing the Difference Between Cooperation and Compliance
by Madison Vickery, FIRST Team 6875 and Girls in STEM Student Advisory Council Member When working as a team, we often find ourselves discussing possible options, actions, and solutions with
The Journey of a Champion: An Interview with Aecon’s Sangeetha Vigneswaran
by Shahed Saleh, FIRST Team 4903 and Girls in STEM Student Advisory Council Member As a senior student in my last year of high school, society tasks me with the
Girls in STEM: Love From A Father
by Andrea Farias, FIRST Team 4343 and Girls in STEM Student Advisory Council Member When you think of people who inspire and promote women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,