Speaker Series |

About the Speaker Series

The WISE NL Speaker Series is a regularly scheduled event, open to the public and designed to tell the story of women’s contributions in science and engineering.

The series features notable women who speak on science and engineering related topics and who complete the narrative with personal perspectives ranging from the paths they took, to the experiences they encountered, to the potential impact of their work on community.

The Speaker Series also provides opportunities for both professionals and students to gather and learn about an interesting topic or career, to mingle and socialize, and to network.

2023

October 3, 2023: ” Women in Quality Jobs” Moderated by Eileen O’Brien.With Erin Hickey, Margaret Lawson, and Yvette Hughes,
March 22, 2023: “ WISE NL 35th Anniversary: WISE NL Past, Present and Future” Panel is moderated by Mona El Tahan, the first WISE NL President 35 years ago. The panellists are three extraordinary science and engineering women who led the organization in difficult times; Gloria Montano, Carolyn Emerson and Eileen O’Brien as Past Presidents, and Kelsey Howlett, 2023 President.

Past Seasons

2022

October 2022: “Indigeneity and STE(A)M: Holding Space” with Dr. Barbara Wall, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, Trent University (in partnership with the Indigenous Youth Gathering)
June 2022: “Women in the Local Tech Industry” with Corina Sinyard, Rachel Tobin, Bronwyn Woolfrey and Ting Zou. Moderated by Oihane Cereceda
April 28, 2022: “Celebrating Women’s Contributions to the Local COVID Response” with Dr. Lesley James, Taylor Wilson, and Dr. Amy Hurford
March 15, 2022: “Effective Science Communication in the Time of COVID” with Maria Bigorra Mir

2021

Nov. 18, 2021: “Exploring Fisheries Science” with Susan Fudge and 5 graduate students from the Center of Fisheries and Ecosystems Research.
Jun. 16, 2021: “Diving into the Blue Economy: A Journey Between Science and Entrepreneurship” with Ashley Noseworthy
May 13, 2021: “Celebrating NL’s Geological Heritage: A journey to UNESCO Global Geopark Designation” with Amanda McCallum
Apr. 22, 2021: “Ocean Safety Research Discussion” with Dr. Heather Carnahan, Dr. Jennifer Smith, Carla Chaytor and Emily Walsh
Mar. 11, 2021: “Exploring the depths – Women in ocean mapping and offshore construction” with Olga Telecka and Breanna Careen.

2020

Nov. 16, 2020: “Carving Your Career Path: Transitioning from the corporate
world to a startup company” with Natasha Reid. Held in conjunction with the AGM.

2019

Mar. 26, 2019: Becoming Leaders Speaker Series & Book Launch of the 2019 edition of Becoming Leaders with speaker Carolyn J. Emerson.
May 29, 2019: Technology and Society, Part 1 – “Technology-based Social Enterprise: A practical approach to leveraging diversity” with Gloria Montano.
Jun 25, 2019: Technology and Society, Part 2 – “Critical Thinking about Technology, Science, and Engineering” with Dr. Janna Rosales.
November 20, 2019: “Inside the Tent: The value and importance of technical women being elected/selected to governments, boards, agencies” with panelists Leslie Grattan, Darlene Whalen, and Carmichael Polonio. Held in conjunction with the AGM.

2018

December 4, 2018 – “Tips and Tricks of a Successful Mentor Relationship” with panelists Dr. Fran Kerton, Dr. Erika Merschrod, and Susan Fudge. Held in conjunction with the Holiday Social
November 21, 2018 – “Women in STEM in Business”. Panel discussion with Moderator Caron Hawco, Caron Hawco Group, and Panelist: Ashley Smith, Owner of Fundamental Inc., Mona El Tahan, Founder of InCORETEC Inc., Charlene Johnson, CEO of Noia, and Paula Sheppard, CEO of NLOWE. Held in conjunction with the AGM and 30th Anniversary Celebration.
May 23, 2018 – “Impact of women in STEM in the workforce” with panelists Jennifer Williams VP, Production, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, and Michelle Simms CEO, Genesis Centre.
March 8, 2018 – “Women in Entrepreneurship Panel” with panelists Emily Bland from Project Sucseed, Jess Chapman from ethree Consulting, Ashley Smith from fundamental Inc, and Erin Stapleton from Stapleton Environmental Consulting. Organized by WISE GSS.

2017

November 22, 2017: Niki Pryor, The Human Impact of Technology, Verafin. Held in conjunction with the AGM.
October. 17, 2017: “Breaking Bias” with panelists Chenel Waight, Carolyn J. Emerson, Gina Pecore, and facilitator Susan Hollett from Hollett & Sons, Inc.
June 7, 2017: Communicating an ecological perspective in the oil and gas industry with panelists Lucie N’Guessan, Paola Maria Pedroni, and moderator Ashley Turner, Nalcor Energy.
April 25, 2017: Women in Science and Engineering at Nalcor, panel discussion
March 21, 2017: Dr. Penny Morrill, From the greenhouse effect to life detection in the solar system: the importance of methane, Department of Earth Sciences, MUN
February 20, 2017: “Test tubes, tents, & town halls: Putting biological research into practice for wildlife” with Laura King, Wildlife Preservation Canada

2016

November 23, 2016: “Crossing Boundaries” with Gloria Montano, WISE NL President 2010-2014. Held in conjunction with the AGM.
October 17, 2016 “The green switch: A talk about green processing of natural resources” with Dr. Kelly Anne Hawboldt, Department of Process Engineering, MUN
June 14, 2016: “From Grains of Sand to a Map: Looking at the geologic past of the Avalon Peninsula” with Robbie Hicks
May 26, 2016: “What Does ‘Smart’ Mean? Applying Multiple Intelligences in an Engineering Setting” with Katy Warren
February 24, 2016: “Building Bridges and Breaking Barriers: Addressing Challenges to Women’s Health at Home and Abroad” with Dr. Jill Allison
January 25, 2016: “Challenges faced by women in the field of science – a perspective from Ghana” with Esther Amoako

2015

November 18, 2015: “Our current understanding of young sudden cardiac death in Newfoundland and Labrador: the story of a multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians and families” with Dr. Kathy Hodgkinson. Held in conjunction with the AGM.
October 29, 2015: “Charting your career outside of academia” with Dr. Maryam Etezad and Dr. Jennifer Campbell
September 16, 2015: “Mentors vs. Sponsors: A Different Spin from the WinSETT Centre Leadership Program” with Susan Hollet
May 26, 2015: “Conversation with Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour“
March 25, 2015: “Rock stories of careers in geoscience” with Dr. Alana Hinchey and Melanie Irvine
March, 5, 2015: “The Road Less Travelled – A Woman’s Perspective on Oil and Gas Research” with Dr. Lesley James

2014

November 19, 2014: “Aquaculture – Balancing Science, Engineering, Business and Socioeconomics” with Dr. Laura Halfyard. Held in conjunction with the AGM.
October 28, 2014: “Men on Diversity in the Workforce” with Mark Shrimpton, Andy Fisher and Michael Hanrahan
September 22, 2014 – “Still Learning!” with Leslie Grattan, President of Leslie Grattan & Associates
June 6, 2014: “A Day in a Life of a Canadian Astronaut” with Major Jeremy R. Hansen
May 13, 2014: The value of marine education” with Melanie Knight & Chelsie Archibald
April 16, 2014: “All about bones: insights from fossils & embryos” with Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal
March 19, 2014: “Can Chemicals be Green?” with Dr. Fran Kerton
February 27, 2014: “Are you watching closely? Perception of Physics, Physics of Perception” with Dr. Ania Harlick
January 28, 2014: “Our Boreal Forest” with Dr. Carissa Brown

2013

October 23, 2013″ 25^th Anniversary of WISE NL – Greta Raymond, ICD.D, MPH; Independent consultant in Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability
April 23, 2013: “Bariatric (weight loss) surgery in NL – Weight loss and improvements in type 2 diabetes” Dr. Laurie Twells & Kendra Lester, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Memorial University of Newfoundland
March 26, 2013: with Sadie Sellars, P.Eng., FEC, Technical Manager, Hebron Project, ExxonMobil
February 12, 2013: “A stroll down memory (research) lane” with Dr. Carole Peterson, PhD, F.R.S.C., Professor, Faculty of Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland
January 16, 2013: “Construction – A place for women!” with Kathrine Haldorsen, Construction Manager, Kiewit-Kvaerner Contractors

2012

November 14, 2012: “Technology for the North – a New Look at Arctic Science and Engineering” with Dr. F. M. Williams, Consultant, Arctic and Ocean Technologies & Engineering and Science Sector
October 18, 2012: “What animal behaviour can tell us about human behavior” with Dr. Anne Storey, Professor of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland
March 21, 2012: “Networking with Intent” with Susan Sparke, Owner, Susan Sparkes and Associate

2011

November 16, 2011: “Unlocking the Secrets of the Past with Physics and Archaeology” with Dr. Kristin Poduska, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland
March 9, 2011: “The role of engineers in sustainability and climate change adaptation” with Dr. Lianne Lefsrud, Management and Organization, University of Alberta School of Business
September 14, 2011: “Tropics to Arctic” with Meg O’Neill, President, ExxonMobil Canada

2010

November 23, 2010: Hege Rogno, VP Statoil Offshore Upstream, Statoil Canada
October 19, 2010: “Wild About Mushrooms” with Dr. Faye Murrin, Associate Dean, School of Graduate Studies & Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Apr. 14, 2010: “From a train car to global health initiatives: An interview with Dr. Elizabeth Hillman” with Dr. Elizabeth Hillman, O.C., M.D., L.L.D., F.R.S.C.
February 22, 2010: “On the Hunt for a Killer: Pinpointing the heart-breaking gene causing a lethal form of arrhythmia in many NL families” with Dr. Terry-Lynn Young, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine (Genetics), Memorial University of Newfoundland

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