Overview
Overall, Board Members are asked to do the following.
- Provide oversight of the organization to ensure that it meets its mission and is operated effectively and in the best interests of our members and beneficiaries, i.e. technical professionals, students, sponsors, employees and the community at large.
- Take on governance, program management, and in some instances a working role in day-to-day operations.
- Attend monthly 2-hour Board meetings and submit a written report as appropriate.
- Board meetings are typically held in the evening on the second Wednesday of the month. Estimated time = 3 hours per month includes prep time.
- The January meeting is typical orientation and Board training. There are no scheduled Board meetings in July and August to accommodate summer vacations. The December meeting is typically a welcome to the Board and a holiday celebration.
- Attend events organised or endorsed by WISE NL.
The Board of Directors consists of no more than 20 members who fall into four categories.
- Officers
- Core support directors oversee our internal process and technical infrastructure.
- Major program directors are responsible for our outreach, recruitment, retention and recognition offerings.
- Uncommitted Directors are expected to volunteer for designated tasks as the need arises.
The solicitation for new Board members is released in October. Elections are held in November. Board members server a 1-year term that starts January 1.
If you are interested in assisting a Board member, send an email message to the associated email address.
Officers
- President (president@wisenl.ca) – Is the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation; Supervises the affairs of the Board; Acts as the spokesperson of the Corporation; Chairs all meetings of the Corporation and the Board; Ensures annual incorporating documents are filed with the Registry of Companies; Carries out any other duties assigned by the Board.
- Vice President (vp@wisenl.ca) – In the absence of the President, performs all duties and exercises all powers of the President; and carries out any other duties assigned by the Board. Maintains the master calendar and keeps the President informed of pending milestones.
- Immediate Past President – Advises and supports the President and Board; in the absence of the President and Vice President, performs all duties and exercises all powers of the President; and carries out any other duties assigned by the Board.
- Treasurer (treasurer@wisenl.ca) – Ensures all monies paid to the Corporation are deposited in a chartered bank, treasuring branch, or trust company chosen by the Board; ensures a detailed account of revenues and expenditures is presented to the Board, as requested; ensures an audited statement of the financial position of the Corporation is prepared and presented at the Annual General Meeting; and Carries out other duties assigned by the Board.
Core Support
- Communications (director-communications@wisenl.ca) – The Director of Communications has overall responsibility to ensure timely distribution of content generated by WISE NL through traditional and social media channels that is consistent in style and adheres to WISE NL objectives and values.
- Membership (director-membership@wisenl.ca) – The Director of Membership is responsible for the recruitment, retention, and overall satisfaction of individual and corporate members.
Major Programs
- Mentorship (director-mentorship@wisenl.ca) – The Director of Mentorship is responsible for the Mentorship Program, an important retention effort directed at connecting post-secondary students with industry professionals who provide mentees with advice, support and guidance on navigating education and career(s) in science or engineering.
- Outreach (director-outreach@wisenl.ca) – The Outreach Director is responsible for K-12 awareness and outreach activities. The objective is to expand the pool of students choosing to study science and engineering. Of special focus is the Indigenous Youth Gathering (IYG) that is directed toward Indigenous youth who are interested in learning more about education and career options in science or engineering. The Gathering was held in St. John’s in 2022 and in Corner Brook in 2024. The Gathering is held every two years (starting 2022) and rotates between St. John’s, Corner Brook, and Labrador. Other key tasks include ensuring WISE NL participation in science and technology fairs, responding to external requests and providing direction to staff.
- Speaker Series (director-speakerseries@wisenl.ca) – The Director of Speaker Series is responsible for the Speaker Series which consists of regularly scheduled and publicly offered networking events. These Sessions are designed to highlight women’s contributions to science/engineering and bring visibility to women’s perspectives on technical topics and issues of contemporary concern.
- Student Summer Employment Program (director-ssep@wisenl.ca) – The Director of SSEP provides management oversight of our flagship outreach program, the Student Summer Employment Program, which is implemented by staff. SSEP is a major undertaking that has successfully operated since 1989, excluding the pandemic year of 2020.
Uncommitted
- Director Emerita – Mona El-Tahan, WISE NL founding president
- Director-at-Large – This role ideal for those new to the Board or WISE NL involvement.
- Directors-at-large are expected to participate in Board meetings and training sessions, and to volunteer for specific tasks as the need arises.
- WISE NL may not fill all open Director-at-large positions.
- To maintain diversity of perspectives on the Board, students who are members of WISE NL are encouraged to apply. All student applicants will be considered.
- Student members of WISE US or WISE GSS Boards who are also elected to the WISE NL Board are subject to the same regulations and obligations as the rest of the WISE NL Board.
Last update: October 17, 2026
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