Conference Media
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2020 WISE National Conference a huge success!
Conference Recap Video
2020 Keynote Videos
Overview
Women in Science and Engineering is proud to present our 8th Annual National Conference!
The WISE National Conference serves as a catalyst to inspire and empower individuals to pursue their passions, broaden their horizons, and form meaningful connections. The conference brings together delegates from all across Canada to share ideas and become inspired over the course of a two-day event dedicated to professional and personal growth, featuring inspirational leaders from a wide range of STEM fields, as well as workshops, case competitions, and career fairs.
What to Expect
- Get inspired by hearing from our keynote speakers, exceptional individuals who have made a name for themselves through their accomplishments
- Learn about cutting edge research, or get inspired by entrepreneurs in our panel discussions
- Grow your technical and professional skills in our hands-on workshops hosted by STEM companies
- Chat with professionals working in STEM fields in our Fireside Chats
- Network with companies at our Career Fair
- Test your skills in our various competitions
Speakers and Panelists
Keynote Speakers

Erika Cheung
Co-Founder at Ethics in Entrepreneurship

Kristen Facciol, P.Eng
Robotics Flight Controller at the Canadian Space Agency

Alexandria Butler
Project Manager at Facebook

Dr. Françoise Baylis
Research Professor at Dalhousie University

Dr. Fei Fei Liu
Chief of the Radiation Medicine Program at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Banking & Consulting

Joveria Asif
Market Strategist at Morgan Stanley

Sarah Hossain, P.Eng
Associate Director at RBC Capital Markets

Dr. Zemfira Khisaeva
VP Technology and Enterprise Strategy at Scotiabank

Dr. Lexi Signoriello
Senior Data Scientist at BCG
Careers in Technology

Gail Carmichael
Senior Technical Educator, RnD Learning at Shopify

Inmar Givoni
Senior Autonomy Engineering Manager at Uber ATG

Mackenzie Kosseim
RF Engineering Manager at Bell

Ana Medinac
Product Manager at Mozilla

Bethany Pagels-Minor
Senior Engineering Program Manager at Apple
Engineering Future Cities

Dorothy Chao
Project Manager, Renewable Energy at City of Toronto

Pauline Kress
Strategy & Portfolio Planning Analyst at General Motors

Catalina Parada
Traffic Advisory Consultant at Stantec, Project Coordinator at TTC

Geneva Starr
Engineering Researcher & Project Coordinator at Canadian Urban Institute
Biotechnology in the 21st Century

Dawn Bell
Chief Scientific Officer at Novartis

Laura Conquergood
VP of Operations at Baylis Medical Company

Micheline Gravelle
Managing Partner at Bereskin & Parr

Deeksha Shetty
Microbiology Lead at Genecis
Pathways in the Medical Sciences

Dr. Jayne Danska
Senior Scientist and Professor at The Hospital for Sick Children

Darlene Dasent
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at UHN

Dr. Alison Paprica
Executive Advisor and Affiliate Scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences

Dr. Lisa Richardson
Clinician-Educator in the Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Toronto

Dr. Vicky Stergiopoulos
Clinician Scientist and Physician-in-Chief at CAMH
Building Your Own Business
Laura Burget
Co-Founder at NIU BODY

Michelle Caers
CEO of Crowdmark

Sarah Katyal
Co-Founder of Skillit

Adrienne Ng
Co-Founder of Open LLP
Competitions
The WISE Executive team is pleased to present three competitions for the WISE National Conference 2020:
a Healthcare Case Competition, an Engineering Case Competition, and a 3 Minute Thesis Competition (3MT).
Registrations will be open until January 22, 2020.
Competition Inquiries
Workshops
Accenture: Exploring Blockchain
Is "Blockchain" only a buzz word to you? Eager to learn more from this space but don't know where to start? Accenture invites you to bring your passion to lead without limits in this "Blockchain 101" workshop. At Accenture, technology and innovation are fundamental to our core business and our continued success relies on our ability to help our clients innovate and scale in order to bring the future to life. Bring your curiosity and questions in joining your peers to learn more about Blockchain. No technical experience is required.
CGI: Creating Your Personal Brand
It is never too soon, or too late, to start actively building and developing your personal brand. This workshop will explore how to showcase your best and authentic self, and the tactics and strategies that can be leveraged to do so. Participants can look forward to interactive activities and discussions from a female lens and perspective. We look forward to seeing you there!
Sciex: Building a Career to Advance Science and Positively Impact Lives
At SCIEX, we want to empower and inspire our customers to break new ground in scientific discovery and diagnostic accuracy. That’s why thousands of life science experts around the world use our innovative technology to make the right decisions quickly, that positively impact lives. They can quickly respond to environmental hazards, better understand biomarkers relevant to disease, improve patient care in the clinic, bring relevant drugs to market faster and keep food healthier and safer.
P&G: Hiding in Plain Sight – How to BRAVELY show up in your own life
Are you hiding your brilliance, your talents? Is fear keeping you small, and preventing you from playing BIG. In this interactive workshop, we will explore where and how in our lives we hide. And, importantly, we’ll also talk about techniques & tips to give you confidence to show up and to create the kind of success you want and deserve.
Schneider Electric: Social Entrepreneurship - Learn design-thinking skills to craft a winning pitch
**You could win Apple AirPods if you attend this workshop!**
Join Schneider Electric for a Design-Thinking Workshop. We’re inviting Engineering and Business students to learn creative problem-solving
techniques to help turn a cool idea into a world-changing business solution. Students can then take that cool idea and enter
the Schneider Go Green Global Case Challenge. Schneider Go Green is open to students across the globe. Submit your bold idea
for a more sustainable future. Compete for a chance to go to the Schneider Electric Las Vegas Innovation Summit,
win a $3,000 cash prize and get connected with a leading tech incubator.
Learn more about the challenge today!
Shopify: Introduction to Graph QL
This workshop is a beginner's introduction to GraphQL. We'll share some history, why it was developed, and the challenges it tries to solve. Then we'll dive into some code to learn how to use GraphQL with real-world examples. This talk assumes a basic (non-expert) level of programming experience. Participants should bring a laptop and a Github account.
Capital One: Experience Agile - Building Simple App on Cloud Platforms
This workshop will provide an overview of Cloud Computing in the software industry. The software development lifecycle and practices will be embedded in the workshop. A demo using Amazon Web Services will give participants an idea of what it’s like to work as a software developer at a cutting edge fintech company. Participants should bring a laptop AND create an AWS Educate account ideally PRIOR to the session commencing
Rogers: Design Thinking
Join the Rogers Digital Team for an immersive workshop, as we use design thinking, a user-centred approach to design, to explore and to create the ideal smart city with 5G technology. By the end of the session, you will have observed, defined, created and tested your new city.
Trane: Leading by Example
At Trane, energy intensity reduction is the guiding principle in everything we do, for our customers and for the global environment we all share.
And shared knowledge – from our expertise to your building’s data – is the path to solutions that help you do more with less, and help all of us use
energy more intelligently. Trane draws from more than 100 years of experience to deliver climate systems that reduce energy use, helping organizations
achieve better business results, meet their energy goals and positively influence the responsible use of the world’s energy supply. Our building
controls and services turn data into insight that is used to predict trends for future performance, helping you make data-driven, proactive
decisions about energy use. Through recurring knowledge-sharing sessions, Trane helps you further reduce the energy intensity of your HVAC
system as well as other building mechanical systems to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing your indoor climate experience.
This presentation will focus on how Trane continues to challenge and educate their customers on improving their energy usage, while pushing the
rest of the industry along with them. Topics include: Sustainability Commitments, Connected Buildings, Digitizing Mechanical Systems and
Virtual Reality Interfacing.
Schedule
Registration
Location: Convention Level Foyer
Opening Ceremonies
Location: Toronto I/II
Lunch
Location: Convention Level Foyer
Case Competition Introductions
Location: Toronto I/II
Career Fair
Location: Toronto I/II
3 Minute Thesis Presentations
Location: Tom Thomson
Pathways in the Medical Sciences
Location: Jackson
Careers in Technology
Location: Carmichael
Biotechnology in the 21st Century
Location: Jackson
Engineering for Future Cities
Location: Carmichael
Building Your Own Business
Location: Jackson
Banking & Consulting
Location: Carmicheal
Closing Ceremonies
Location: Toronto I/II
Networking Reception
Location: Convention Level Foyer
Registration/Breakfast
Location: Convention Level Foyer
Opening Ceremonies
Location: Toronto I/II
Healthcare Case Competition Presentations
Location: Harris, MacDonald
Engineering Case Competition Presentations
Location: Tom Thomson, Carmichael
Lunch
Location: Convention Level Foyer
Career Fair
Location: Toronto I/II
Case Competition Final Presentations
Location: Carmichael, Jackson
Accenture Workshop: Exploring Blockchain with Accenture
Location: Harris
CGI Workshop: Creating Your Personal Brand
Location: MacDonald
Sciex Workshop: Building a Career to Advance Science and Positively Impact Lives
Location: Tom Thomson
P&G Workshop: Hiding in Plain Sight – How to BRAVELY show up in your own life
Location: Harris
Schneider Electric Workshop: Social Entrepreneurship - Learn design-thinking skills to craft a winning pitch
Location: MacDonald
Shopify Workshop: Introduction to GraphQL
Location: Tom Thomson
Capital One Workshop: Experience Agile - Building Simple App on Cloud Platforms
Location: Harris
Rogers Workshop: Design Thinking
Location: MacDonald
Trane Workshop: Leading by Example
Location: Tom Thomson
Closing Ceremonies
Location: Toronto I/II
Subsidies
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WISE UofT is offering two conference awards to two grade 11 and/or 12 students (both female and male) who have a strong academic background and are currently enrolled in a high school in Ontario. Priority will be given to students who are leaders in their local STEM community and spend time volunteering or mentoring others in STEM related areas.
Applications closed on January 7, 2020.
For questions about the Conference Award for Youth Leaders, please contact Javiera at vp.outreach@wiseuoft.org -
The Faculty of Engineering is supporting a group of students to attend WISE this year; we're partnering with our Engineering Students' Association for the delegation selection process. Please contact Raymond Matthias at raymond.matthias@ualberta.ca for more information about subsidies and the selection process.
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The University of Calgary Faculty of Engineering has generously offered to provide up to 3 Engineering students with a fully subsidized air transportation expenses. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase a ticket entitled "Early Bird - U of Calgary Engineering Subsidy" or "Student - U of Calgary Engineering Subsidy."
The ticket price will be refunded to you through Eventbrite after you check in at the conference in person. Please note that the Eventbrite fee ($6.66 for Early Bird Tickets and $7.72 for Regular Tickets) will also be partially refunded.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
Students interested in attending the WISE National Conference can apply for support through the through the IDEAS Fund. Full details about eligibility, deadlines...etc. can be found at: https://science.ucalgary.ca/current-students/undergraduate/ideas-fund-application For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org.
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Concordia University has generously provided fully subsidized tickets for 12 students from the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science to attend the WISE National Conference. Please contact Riya Dutta for more information about subsidies at president.wie@ecaconcordia.ca.
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Dalhousie University is subsidizing ticket costs for Dalhousie WIE. If you have any questions, contact Anya Friesen at hilary.anya.friesen@dal.ca.
Dalhousie University has also generously offered to make a contribution of a dozen copies of the book Altered Inheritance for raffle. -
Harvard University has generously offered to provide a limited number of students with fully subsidized tickets and transportation expenses. In order to receive this benefit, please contact Tasha Thomas at tasha_thomas@fas.harvard.edu by Friday, November 15.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
The University of Manitoba will be providing 3 students with subsidized ticket and travel to the WISE National Conference. For more information, please contact nusraat.masood@umanitoba.ca.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
McGill University Faculty of Engineering has generously offered to provide their students with subsidized tickets. In order to receive this benefit, students will need to apply through the Student Initiative Fund. You can find the SIF form at: https://www.mcgill.ca/engineering/students/undergraduate/student-life/student-initiatives-funding-request-form For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org.
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McGill University Faculty of Science will be providing $100 for the ticket and $100 for transportation to the WISE National Conference for 20 students. For more information, please contact gradstudies.science@mcgill.ca.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
The McMaster Women in Engineering Society has generously offered to provide tickets at 60% subsidy and provide 2 nights of accommodation at no cost to 20 undergraduate students in the Faculty of Engineering. Subsidies will be provided on a first come first serve basis. All interested delegates should apply through the Google Form found on: https://www.mcmasterwie.com/ For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org.
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The University of Michigan has generously offered to provide their engineering students with fully subsidized tickets and transportation expenses. In order to receive this benefit, please contact Ms. Kathleen Grimes, Assistant to the Dean of Engineering, at kgviola@umich.edu.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
Ryerson University's Faculty of Engineering has generously offered to provide 70% off regular ticket price tickets for up to 20 students. In order to receive this benefit, please contact Ms. Nika Zolfaghari, the Engineering Enrichment and Outreach Coordinator, at nika.zolfaghari@ryerson.ca.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
Ryerson University Faculty of Science has generously offered to provide 70% subsidized tickets to 20 students.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
Female students from our Faculty intending to participate in the conference can apply to the Dean for funding. The next deadline is February 15th. The application form can be found at: https://www.uregina.ca/engineering/students/forms/application-forms/funding-requests.html For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org.
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The University of Saskatchewan Faculty of Engineering will be providing 2 students with subsidized travel costs to the WISE National Conference. For more information, please contact Ms. Candace Poon, Executive Assistant to the Associate Deans, at candace.poon@usask.ca.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
The University of Toronto Mississauga has generously offered to provide up to 5 Chemical and Physical Sciences students with a fully subsidized ticket and transportation expenses. In order to receive this benefit, please contact the CPS Awards Committee at cps.utm@utoronto.ca.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
The University of Toronto Mississauga Department of Biology has generously offered to provide fully subsidized tickets and transportation for 4 students. Please contact conference@wiseuoft.org in order to receive this subsidy.
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The University of Toronto Scarborough Campus has generously offered to provide subsidies for up to 10 students. In order to apply for this subsidy, please fill out the Travel Fund form at: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentaffairs/academic-travel-fund After purchase of your WISE National Conference Ticket, please bring the receipt (proof of purchase) to the Students Affair Office in order to be reimbursed. For more information, please contact Melanie Christoforou at stuaff@utsc.utoronto.ca.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
The University of Toronto Faculty of Arts and Science has generously offered to provide 80% subsidized tickets to up to 25 students from the faculty. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase the ticket entitled "Early Bird- U of Toronto Arts & Science Subsidy" or "Student - U of Toronto Arts & Science Subsidy."
The subsidies are first come, first serve. The remaining ticket price will be refunded to you through Eventbrite after you check in at the conference in person. Please note that the Eventbrite fee ($6.66 for Early Bird Tickets and $7.72 for Regular Tickets) will also be partially refunded.
Graduate students are eligible for this subsidy.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
The University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering has generously offered to provide 80% subsidized tickets for all interested students. In order to receive this benefit, please purchase the ticket entitled "Early Bird - U of Toronto Engineering Subsidy" or "Student - U of T Engineering Subsidy."
The remaining ticket price will be refunded to you through Eventbrite after you check in at the conference in person. Please note that the Eventbrite fee ($6.66 for Early Bird Tickets and $7.72 for Regular Tickets) will also be partially refunded.
If you are a U of T Core 8 First year Engineering Student: Here is a bonus if you participate in the full 2-day conference! You can receive 6 PD points, generously awarded by the ESP office, which will be counted towards your grade in APS112!
Graduate students are eligible for this subsidy.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
The University of Windsor has generously offered to provide up to 6 students from a program in the Faculty of Science with a fully subsidized ticket. In order to receive this benefit, please contact Michelle Bondy at mbondy@uwindsor.ca.
There will be an application process required in order to receive the subsidy, so if you are only able to attend the conference if you receive a scholarship, please contact Michelle prior to registering for the conference. -
York University Faculty of Science has generously offered to provide 80% subsidized tickets to up to 4 students from the faculty. You must contact sciadstu@yorku.ca before purchasing the ticket in order to receive this benefit. If you have recieved the benefit, please purchase a ticket entitled "Early Bird - York University Subsidy" or "Student - York University Subsidy."
The remaining ticket price will be refunded to you through Eventbrite after you check in at the conference in person. Please note that the Eventbrite fee ($6.66 for Early Bird Tickets and $7.72 for Regular Tickets) will also be partially refunded.
Graduate students are not eligible for this benefit.
For questions about subsidies, please contact conference@wiseuoft.org. -
Please send an email to lmountee@uwo.ca to apply for a subsidy. Subsidies will be provided on a case by case basis.
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The Dean’s Office will coordinate with the Women in Science program to provide funding for up to five students so that they will be able to participate in the conference. Please contact Ruth Macneil at rmacneil@wlu.ca for more information.
Event Venue
The WISE National Conference 2020 will be held at Hilton Toronto.
FAQ
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Dress code is business formal.
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Please take a look at our sponsors found at https://wiseuoft.org/sponsors.html. Almost all of our sponsors will be present at the Career Fair.
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Yes. We do our best to accommodate all dietary restrictions.
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Yes. Coat check services will run from 8am - 8pm on Saturday, and 8am - 6pm on Sunday. Coat check is free for all attendees, including speakers and industry representatives.
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Registration opens at 8am on Saturday.
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WISE UofT will not be providing any parking spots, but there are nearby lots where you can park your cars, or you can pay for valet parking with the Hilton.
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Whether you stay or leave for parts of the Conference is up to your discretion. We have events running all day both days, however (please see the Schedule). Please make sure to wear your nametag at all times.
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No. As long as you checked in during registration, you do not have to check in again. Just make sure you have your nametag, as that is how we’ll identify you as a delegate/speaker/industry representative.
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Depends. You can participate in a competition and the 3MT, but you cannot participate in both the Engineering Case Comp and Health Care Case Comp.
Still have questions? Please contact conference@wiseuoft.org if you have any further inquiries. Please make sure your question is not addressed in the FAQ first.