The Journey Award Finalists
Celebrating Canada’s Outstanding Immigrant Women in STEMM
To commemorate 10 years of TGC advancing a STEMM economy where women thrive, TGC’s The Journey Awards recognize and honour the journeys of immigrant women in STEMM who exemplify leadership, innovation, and community service.
Presenting Sponsor: Toronto Region Immigrant Employment (TRIEC)
A huge thank you to TRIEC (Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council) for sponsoring these awards for Ontario and for their unwavering commitment to fostering workplace inclusion for immigrant professionals in Canada.
Ontario Journey Award Finalists
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Bhairavi Shankar
Bhairavi is the founder of IndusSpace, where she creates innovative programs that inspire young people, especially women, to explore STEMM and discover career opportunities in space science. Through her leadership, she has developed unique learning experiences for youth at all educational levels, raising awareness about space exploration and Canada's contributions to the field. With a PhD in Planetary Science, Bhairavi aligns her business with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, promoting quality education, reduced inequalities, and economic growth through STEMM career development.
Find Bhairavi Shankar on LinkedIn HERE
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Shruti Muralidhar
Dr. Shruti Muralidhar is a neuroscientist with 15 years of experience in academic neuroscience and nearly 3 years in the Canadian biotech space, specializing in neuronal circuitry and electrophysiology. Her research has advanced the understanding of the neural mechanisms behind learning and memory. As a science communicator and DEI advocate, she actively mentors young professionals and promotes diversity in STEM, currently serving as a Program Manager at CIFAR.
Find Shruti Muralidhar on LinkedIn HERE
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Dr. Ramla Karim Qureshi
Dr. Ramla Qureshi, a Fulbright Scholar and founder of Women Engineers Pakistan (WEP), has dedicated her career to addressing gender disparity in STEM fields through advocacy, innovative training, and academia-to-industry networking. Her initiatives have empowered over 7,000 women and girls, fostering inclusivity and reaching underprivileged communities across Pakistan, Nepal, and the USA. In addition to being a structural engineer, researcher, and assistant professor at McMaster University, Dr. Qureshi was globally recognized as a Falling Walls Engage finalist in 2020 for her impactful work in science communication and engagement.
Find Dr. Ramla Karim Qureshi on LinkedIn HERE
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Falah Shazib
Falah Shazib is a Technical Product Manager, community organizer, and advocate for diversity in tech, with over five years of leadership in the international nonprofit Pakistani Women in Computing (PWiC). She has founded initiatives supporting undergraduate women in tech, established PWiC chapters, and leads the Muslim Employee Resource Group at Unity Technologies, where she works on emerging XR technologies. Beyond tech, Falah contributes to the arts as Events Executive for the Muslim International Film Festival, celebrating Muslim excellence and community.
Find Falah Shazib on LinkedIn HERE
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Miryam Lazarte
Miryam Lazarte is the Founder and President of Global Startups, a leading technology accelerator supporting immigrant entrepreneurs in Canada. Her organization, endorsed by the Government of Ontario, universities, and tech organizations, has helped numerous startups thrive and holds the distinction of endorsing Canada’s Startup Visa. Through her mentorship network and commitment to helping immigrants and young entrepreneurs, Miryam fosters innovation and opportunity in the tech sector.
Find Miryam Lazarte on LinkedIn HERE
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Anuli Ndubuisi
Anuli Ndubuisi is an accomplished educator, engineer, and program manager with over 20 years of experience in engineering, education, and research. As the co-founder of the Engineering Graduate Connections initiative at the University of Toronto, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership by supporting diverse students in accessing graduate studies, research opportunities, and enhancing their academic experiences. Anuli's resilience, dedication to inclusivity, and commitment to fostering equity in STEMM education highlight her remarkable contributions to both her community and profession.
Find Anuli Ndubuisi on LinkedIn HERE
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Dana Lasko
Dana Lasko is a biotechnology innovator and independent business consultant with decades of experience advancing therapies from bench to bedside, benefiting patients worldwide. Her groundbreaking work includes cloning a human gene involved in DNA repair and establishing laboratories and teams that created opportunities for diverse talent, including newcomers to Canada. A PhD graduate from MIT and an MBA holder from McGill, Dana combines scientific excellence with leadership, contributing to biotechnology, mentorship, and community service.
Find Dana Lasko on LinkedIn HERE
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Kavitha Siva
Kavitha Siva is a dedicated professor, business leader, and healthcare advocate, known for securing significant funding and developing innovative programs to support internationally educated nurses in Ontario. She has trained over 100 nurses and recruited more than 200 healthcare workers, helping alleviate labor shortages, especially during the pandemic. In addition to her business success, Kavitha contributes to the pharmaceutical industry through Parkinson’s research and mentors women in STEMM, creating opportunities for employment and economic development.
Find Kavitha Siva on LinkedIn HERE
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Mariam Hussain
Mariam is a passionate advocate for Women in Tech and a strong proponent of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, with over a decade of impactful contributions. After immigrating to Canada from Pakistan in 2018, she founded a chapter of Pakistani Women in Computing, providing mentorship and support for solo female immigrants and tech professionals. As an Ambassador for Google's Women Techmakers program, Mariam continues to empower women and diverse groups in the tech industry through coaching, speaking engagements, and advocacy, reaching thousands of individuals globally.
Find Mariam Hussain on LinkedIn HERE
Merci à notre sponsor : Clef pour l’intégration au Travail des Immigrants (CITIM)
Un immense merci à CITIM pour son soutien à ces prix et pour son engagement envers l’accompagnement des professionnels immigrants dans leur parcours professionnel. Votre dévouement à favoriser l’inclusion et à offrir des ressources précieuses fait une réelle différence en aidant les nouveaux arrivants à s’épanouir.
Québec Prix Journey Finalists
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Maria Julia Guimaraes
Cette finaliste incarne l’innovation et l’engagement social. Co-fondatrice de TotumTech, elle développe un dispositif médical pour les personnes atteintes de la Maladie de Raynaud, alliant technologie et santé pour améliorer la qualité de vie des patients.
Passionnée par l’inclusion et la diversité, elle est une ambassadrice des personnes vivant avec des handicaps invisibles, des femmes entrepreneurs en technologie (Women in Tech) et des communautés issues de la diversité.
Engagée dans le renforcement des liens interculturels, elle a fondé le Centre d’intégration Brésil-Québec et préside le Conseil de la Citoyenneté du Québec (Conselho de Cidadania do Quebec). Elle siège également en tant qu’administratrice de l’Association des Designers Industriels du Québec, contribuant à l’avancement du design et de l’innovation.
Retrouvez Maria Julia Guimaraes sur LinkedIn ICI
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Isabelle Fotsing
Cette finaliste incarne l’innovation et l’impact technologique. Fondatrice de Clrvva, elle aide les petites organisations à améliorer leur productivité grâce à l’intégration de technologies et d’outils numériques. Elle a également cofondé et dirigé la technologie de Watergeeks, une marketplace e-commerce primée pour son modèle d’intelligence artificielle appliquée à l’économie circulaire.
Avant l’entrepreneuriat, elle a joué un rôle clé dans la transformation numérique de plusieurs industries, en valorisant les mégadonnées, l’automatisation des processus et le développement d’applications. Son expertise technique s’appuie sur un baccalauréat en génie électrique et une maîtrise en génie métallurgique, ainsi qu’une expérience en énergies renouvelables.
Engagée dans sa communauté, elle est membre du comité urbanisme, mobilité et transition écologique de Montréal et trésorière du CA Techno Culture Club, qui milite pour un accès inclusif aux outils numériques. Son leadership et sa capacité à mobiliser les ressources pour résoudre des problèmes complexes lui ont valu d’être nommée dans le Top 100 des femmes canadiennes noires accomplies en 2020.
Retrouvez Isabelle Fotsing sur LinkedIn ICI
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Mame Kany Diop
Cette finaliste incarne l’excellence académique et l’innovation en recherche. Arrivée à Montréal en 2011, elle poursuit un doctorat en biologie moléculaire, spécialisé en cancer de la prostate, domaine dans lequel elle a remporté dix prix académiques, publié trois articles scientifiques et présenté ses travaux dans cinq congrès internationaux. Engagée dans le partage des connaissances, elle a dirigé la création d’un laboratoire virtuel d’histologie et a été auxiliaire d’enseignement à l’Université de Montréal. Aujourd’hui professionnelle de recherche au CRCHUM, elle contribue à des initiatives visant à mieux représenter la diversité ethnique dans la recherche médicale. Son parcours illustre une rigueur scientifique exceptionnelle et un profond engagement envers l’inclusivité en santé.
Retrouvez Mame Kany Diop sur LinkedIn ICI
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Sira Diarra
Sira incarne la rigueur scientifique et le leadership. Arrivée au Québec en 2013 avec ses quatre jeunes enfants, elle obtient un DEES en Nutrition à l’UdeM avant de se consacrer à la recherche clinique en infectiologie. Son expertise, acquise au Mali et consolidée au CRCHUM, a permis d’améliorer la qualité et la coordination des données de recherche sur le VIH et l’Hépatite C. En 2023, elle devient responsable de laboratoire et coordonne le projet HEPCO, assurant le suivi de centaines de patients et la gestion d’une équipe d’une vingtaine de personnes. Son engagement et sa précieuse contribution à la recherche médicale font d’elle une figure inspirante dans son domaine.
Retrouvez Sira Diarra sur LinkedIn ICI
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Hadjer Saboune
Hadjer incarne la détermination et la résilience. Arrivée au Québec en 2023, elle soutient son mari dans son intégration tout en poursuivant des études en génie électrique. Elle est actuellement stagiaire en ingénierie de recherche et développement à l'Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Québec, où elle applique ses compétences techniques. Sa proactivité et sa préparation exemplaire ont marqué son parcours d’immigration. Toujours disponible pour aider les autres, elle fait preuve d’une grande humilité, de bonté et de courage, des qualités essentielles souvent invisibles mais profondément impactantes.
Retrouvez Hadjer Saboune sur LinkedIn ICI
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Dieu Hoa Bui
Hoa Bui incarne la résilience et l'innovation en éducation. Spécialiste de la formation chez Anthology Inc., elle a eu un impact mondial sur l’apprentissage en ligne et a amélioré l’expérience d’apprentissage pour une clientèle internationale. Engagée dans la communauté, elle contribue à la Table ronde provinciale sur l’emploi du Québec, soutenant l’intégration des anglophones. Son travail universitaire, notamment sur l’inclusivité en éducation, met en lumière les défis des étudiants internationaux et des travailleurs immigrants.
Retrouvez Dieu Hoa Bui sur LinkedIn ICI
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Valisoa Razafindrakoto
Valisoa is a passionate educator and entrepreneur with 8 years of experience as a mathematics teacher, working with students across various levels. As one of the few women in the male-dominated field of cybersecurity, she has demonstrated exceptional dedication, learning multiple languages and excelling in her role. Her work inspires other women in cybersecurity by combining excellence, enthusiasm, and a commitment to education and community development.
Find Valisoa Razafindrakoto on LinkedIn HERE
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Marilia Araujo
Marilia is a trailblazing leader who has built a remarkable career through resilience, innovation, and a passion for helping others. Moving from Brazil to Canada in 2008, she overcame cultural and professional challenges to become a high-performing partner at PwC, where she delivered groundbreaking projects like the first police service on Cloud and the first process intelligence engagement in Canada's Federal Government. Alongside her professional achievements, Marilia mentors and supports women in leadership and tech, embodying her dedication to fostering growth and inclusivity.
Find Marilia Araujo on LinkedIn HERE
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Fatemeh Mahsa Erfanian
Fatemeh Mahsa Erfanian, an Innovation Project Leader with expertise in engineering, project management, and business administration, has significantly shaped the fields of technology, construction, and sustainable energy. As a board member of PMI-Montreal and advocate for diversity, she has helped hundreds of immigrants integrate into STEMM fields in Quebec over the past 12 years, breaking barriers as a woman in male-dominated industries. Recognized with prestigious awards, including "Inspiring Woman of the Year," she continues to lead impactful projects and inspire immigrant women through her dedication to innovation, leadership, and community service.
Find Fatemeh Mahsa Erfanian on LinkedIn HERE
Thank you to our Sponsor: Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IEC-BC)
The Journey Awards, made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IEC-BC), celebrate the remarkable contributions of women who are shaping the future of science and technology in Canada.
British Columbia Journey Finalists
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Sara Fleetwood
Sara is a leader and innovator, recognized for mentoring future STEMM leaders, advancing material science, and driving environmental conservation. As the founder of Alpenshield and a director on multiple boards, her contributions to business innovation, sustainability, and community service inspire lasting impact.
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Catalina Lopez-Correa
Catalina is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience driving research and innovation ecosystems globally, including roles as Chief Scientific Officer of Genome Canada and Executive Director of the Canadian COVID-19 Genomics Network (CanCOGeN). Known for empowering teams and advancing equitable access to genomics, she is a passionate advocate for addressing global challenges. Even in her own battle with breast cancer, she is inspiring others through her resilience and advocacy for broader genomic applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Find Catalina Lopez-Correa on LinkedIn HERE
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Abiola Bakare
Abiola Bakare is a trailblazing leader, recognized for her innovative efforts to bridge the gap between immigrants and the tech industry. She created a program in British Columbia that trains young Black women as Business Analysts while providing settlement support for immigrant women, equipping them with the skills and confidence to succeed in technology careers. Through her leadership and advocacy, Abiola empowers her community, fosters inclusion, and inspires lasting change.
Find Abiola Bakare on LinkedIn HERE
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Setareh Golroh
Setareh Golroh is a highly accomplished metallurgical engineer and Project Management Professional, holding a Bachelor's degree from Amir Kabir University of Technology and a Master’s from the University of Tehran. Since relocating to Canada in 2022, she excelled as a Quality Specialist at RAM, spearheading the implementation of Smartsheets and earning a Core Product Certified badge, among many other noteworthy accomplishments. After obtaining her P.Eng last year, Setareh started working as a Project Engineer, currently with Metro Vancouver. Setareh actively contributes to the industry through her involvement in promoting women in STEM, mentoring newcomers, and has even published a children’s book “Mommy Teacher” inspired by her daughter.
Find Setareh Golroh on LinkedIn HERE
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Rasha Moursy
Rasha Moursy is a pioneering leader in tech with over two decades of experience, currently serving as Managing Partner at Customizo and a prominent figure within the ServiceNow community. She is known for driving innovative technological solutions, creative problem-solving, and applying cutting-edge methodologies to enhance business processes, while mentoring young immigrant women aspiring to tech leadership. In addition to her professional achievements, Rasha is a dedicated advocate for immigrant women and refugees, actively supporting social integration and economic empowerment through organizations like Pacific Immigrant Resources Society and ISS of BC.
Find Rasha Moursy on LinkedIn HERE
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Santoshi Desai
Santoshi is a highly skilled expert in SAP with 18 years of experience, driven by a lifelong passion for computer science, technology, and analysis. As the founder of Fleetwood Robotics, she encourages young girls and kids to explore the world of science and technology, offering accessible and affordable programs to foster their interest. A recognized leader in business, Santoshi was awarded the Women in Business Award by the Surrey Board of Trade in 2019 and continues to inspire through her work and commitment to education in the tech field.
Find Santoshi Desai on LinkedIn HERE
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Dr. Sumi Siddiqua
Dr. Siddiqua Sumi is an Associate Professor at UBC Okanagan specializing in geo-environmental engineering, focusing on using soil micro-organisms to develop low-carbon geomaterials and researching methods to prevent microplastics contamination. She leads the CFI-funded Advanced Geomaterials Testing Lab and collaborates internationally, with her work published in numerous scientific journals. Dr. Sumi is also committed to mentorship, diversity, and inclusion in engineering, with her contributions recognized through various awards and honours.
Find Dr. Sumi Siddiqua on LinkedIn HERE
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Sowndarya Venkateswaran
With over a decade of experience in Data Science and Machine Learning, Sowndarya has made significant contributions to her field while actively engaging with her community. As a guest speaker at local Google Developer groups and a volunteer for initiatives like DataCan and Google Developer Group Surrey, she empowers underrepresented groups, particularly women in tech. Sowndarya's work, including her collaboration on the DataJam2023 Report, reflects her dedication to inclusivity and promoting diversity within the data science and AI communities.
Find Sowndarya Venkateswaran on LinkedIn HERE
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Khristine Cariño
Khristine Cariño is a changemaker and community builder, using her leadership to champion social justice, anti-racism, and inclusion, particularly for racialized women in STEM. As a mentor and sponsor for organizations like Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) and Tech2Step, she empowers emerging leaders and connects immigrant women to job opportunities through initiatives such as Women in STEM at Immigrant Networks. Through her work as the founder of East Van Kids and president of Tech2Step, Khristine has innovated inclusive spaces and STEM programs, making a lasting impact on both her community and the professional landscape.
Find Khristine Cariño on LinkedIn HERE
Connect with the TGC Team
The Canada Centre of Excellence for Immigrant Women in STEM is supported by TGC and its funders and partners. Connect with the TGC team to ask questions or learn more about how to become more involved in supporting immigrant women in STEM across Canada.