IGNITE: STEM Networking Night – Vancouver 2025 [Event Recap]

IGNITE: STEM Networking Night – Vancouver 2025

Written by Julianne Kim, IGNITE Event Coordinator

On March 5th, the first stop of the IGNITE: STEM Networking Night event series landed in Vancouver, BC to spark a lively evening packed with inspiring panel discussions and impactful networking opportunities.

In previous years, this event was known as the Wonder Women Networking Evening, but as SCWIST continues to grow and innovate, the event needed to grow with us. Thus, IGNITE was born! And while the format has evolved, the heart of the event remains dedicated to its original purpose: to create meaningful relationships among women in STEM while providing a safe space for networking and connection.

After four years of hosting this event virtually, it was time to return to the in-person format. Six in-person IGNITE events will take place across Canada in 2025, starting in Vancouver before travelling to Yellowknife, Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, and Winnipeg.

Kicking off IGNITE Vancouver

The inaugural event in Vancouver began with a How to Network workshop led by SCWIST CEO, Dr. Melanie Ratnam. This workshop was available to attendees who wanted to learn how to successfully build connections before the main event. During the session, Dr. Ratnam shared personal stories about her own journey into networking, including how nervous she felt the first time she attended a professional event. Her relatable experiences and practical tips were invaluable to those who were new to networking or looking to stretch their networking muscles before heading into the evening.

Following the workshop, attendees were treated to a panel featuring an impressive lineup of local STEM leaders: Charles Ju, Technical Programs Manager at Verdi, Dr. Eveline Pasman, Chief Operating Officer of Tenomix, and Lieutenant-Commander Calley Gray of the Royal Canadian Navy. The panelists discussed their unique STEM journeys, offered insights into their respective organizations, and shared stories on the transformative role networking played in their careers.

Interactive Insights

After the panel, attendees jumped into in the Fueling Canada’s Workforce activity. The room buzzed with conversation as participants gathered around unique activity boards, each loaded with prompts and activator pieces.

One side of the room focused on education and leadership, safe STEM workplaces, pay equity and work life balance, and invited attendees to share their thoughts and ideas on these important issues. On the other side, attendees explored questions around networking events, networking strategy, finding a mentor or sponsor, and looking for career opportunities.

A special highlight was the activity board for IGNITE partner, Verdi which prompted attendees to answer questions related to agri-tech and its importance in the future of BC’s STEM workforce.

These activity boards will travel to all the IGNITE events this year, connecting the thoughts and insights of attendees across Canada.

Networking in Action

The final portion of the event were the three networking sessions. The first session kicked off with a speed networking round where attendees were pre-assigned group numbers based on shared STEM interests and professional experiences. These groups were carefully curated to connect attendees with similar STEM backgrounds and provide a range of students, professionals, employed, hiring, and job-seeking individuals in every group.

Next, there was a themed networking round where attendees could gather in sections of the event space that were dedicated to different STEM fields such as medical and health science, software engineering, science communication, and project management, to name a few. The STEM fields for this round were based on the most popular fields chosen by the attendees when registering for the event.

The event wrapped up with an open networking session where attendees were free to mingle and connect with everyone in the room. It was a wonderful conclusion to an evening full of connections and collaboration!

By the end of the night, we were thrilled to see the new connections that were made throughout the evening. Hearing attendees share about how the event has provided a renewed sense of momentum and inspiration in their career journeys was truly rewarding and a powerful reminder of the importance of networking and shared experience for women in STEM.

Voices of IGNITE

To wrap up this recap, we’re excited to share some heartfelt reflections from our attendees about their experience at the event:

“Ignite helped me gain confidence in my networking skills and I am grateful for the Quantum Leaps program for providing me with this opportunity to further connect.”

“Thank you so much for organizing this event! It is wonderful to have the space to connect and engage with other women in science, share our achievements, and help each other grow. It’s been a wonderful evening networking”

“I loved how organized and smooth the event was! Really appreciated the fact that they assigned us groups, it made talking and networking with people much easier”

“I recently attended a networking event organized by SCWIST, and it was an incredibly valuable experience. The event provided a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and professionals in the STEM field. I left feeling inspired and motivated, with new insights and connections that will help me in my career. SCWIST creates a supportive environment where women in science and technology can come together, share experiences, and grow. I’m grateful for the opportunity and look forward to future events!”

“The IGNITE STEM Networking Night in Vancouver was an incredibly inspiring event that left me feeling empowered and motivated. Melanie Ratnam’s keynote on overcoming networking challenges was both relatable and impactful, setting the tone for an evening of meaningful connections. The event fostered a strong sense of community, providing invaluable opportunities to engage with peers and industry leaders. Huge thanks to SCWIST for organizing such a transformative experience—I’m excited to continue growing in my STEM journey!”

Keep in touch

On behalf of the entire IGNITE team, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for this incredible event. Your presence, energy, and enthusiasm made it a truly special evening, and we’re so grateful to have been part of your journey. Thank you for being part of IGNITE!

Make sure to follow SCWIST on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky, and by subscribing to our newsletter for news on the upcoming IGNITE events happening across Canada in 2025:

• Yellowknife – May 20
• Toronto: June 17
• Halifax: July 31
• Montreal: September 23
• Winnipeg: October 1