Introducing our 2024/25 Board of Directors!
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Meet our new Board of Directors!
SCWIST is delighted to announce the appointment of three new members to our Board of Directors.
For the 43rd time, SCWIST has gathered its members for our Annual General Meeting (AGM), where we reflect on our achievements over the past year, discuss plans for the year ahead, and vote in the newest members to the Board of Directors.
This year, we are thrilled to welcome three new faces to the board. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Gigi Lau, Tharsini Sivathasan and Dr. Vicki Stronge.
“We are delighted to welcome Gigi, Tharsini and Vicki to the SCWIST Board,” said Dr. Nirali Rathwa and Tam Pham, returning board members. “Together, this board will continue SCWIST’s mission to create an environment where women and girls in Canada can pursue their interests, education, passions and careers in STEM without barriers. Each of them brings a unique blend of expertise, passion and dedication. We are confident that their contributions will drive SCWIST forward to new heights of impact and innovation.”
The AGM also marks the final meeting for the outgoing board members who have completed their terms – Dr. Saina Beitari, JeAnn Watson and Melisa DiPietro. We extend our deepest gratitude for their incredible contributions.
Serving on the Board of Directors is one of the most complex and rewarding roles at SCWIST. In addition to monthly board and subcommittee meetings, board members engage in strategic planning to drive our programming across Canada, connect with the STEM community to advance advocacy efforts, and develop collaboration opportunities to extend our impact.
“We want to extend our deepest thanks to Saina, JeAnn, and Melisa for their incredible dedication and hard work during their time on the SCWIST Board,” said Nirali and Tam. “Their legacies will continue to inspire and empower. On behalf of everyone at SCWIST, thank you for your exceptional service and commitment.”
Introducing the newest members of the SCWIST team
Dr. Gigi Lau (she/her)
Gigi is currently in higher education program administration as a Program Manager in the undergraduate Biology program at The University of British Columbia. She previously aimed to get an academic faculty position, and held postdoctoral research positions at the University of Oslo, Norway and at UBC studying environmental adaptations of fish.
SCWIST played an important role in her career transition and provided her with a place to network and connect with others. She was able to contribute to the SCWIST team as the Donor Engagement and Partnerships Lead on the Strategic Partnerships Developments and Fundraising team from 2021 to 2022. She is keen to apply her skills and experience to support SCWIST’s mission and purpose in breaking barriers for women and girls in STEM.
Tharsini Sivathasan (she/her)
Tharsini Sivathasan is a CPA and has her BBA from the University of Toronto, with extensive work experience in both the healthcare and education sectors. Her focus is on developing financial strategies and priorities to enhance the overall governance of the institution and long-term financial and capital planning.
Tharsini is deeply invested in fostering an inclusive environment where all young girls and women have equal opportunities to thrive in STEM fields.
Dr. Vicki Stronge (she/her)
Vicki is a passionate advocate for women and underrepresented groups in the life sciences and biotech industry. She has held leadership positions in prominent international life sciences and biotech companies and has played a pivotal role in bringing innovative products to market and supporting the growth of diverse teams.
Her goal is to inspire and guide women in their careers, offering her wealth of experience to help them achieve success in science and business with confidence and enthusiasm.
Please join us in welcoming our new Board of Directors! We look forward to their leadership as we continue to empower women and girls in STEM.
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