The Journey Award Finalists

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Find Sara Fleetwood on LinkedIn HERE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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