OUR TEAM
Meet our team for the 2024-2025 year! This talented group is dedicated to serving the McMaster community. We aim to make a positive and look forward to achieving great things together!
PRESIDENTS
Co-President: Sarah Woods (she/her)
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Program & Level:
Chemical Eng & Management IV
What motivates you?
Making a difference and building a life and career that I enjoy!
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Why Join WIE? I have been on the WIE Executive Team since my first year at McMaster. I applied to be a First Year Representative because I was looking for ways to become involved in the Mac Eng community and I am so glad I did because I received mentorship, support and friendship from an incredible group of student leaders. This sparked my passion for maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for women-identifying students in the Mac Eng community and ever since I have been able to develop my leadership skills while working with an amazing team who inspire me every day!
Co-President: Angela Lewis (she/her)
Program & Level:
Mechanical Eng (with Econ minor) IV
What motivates you?:
People: my family, my friends, or my future self :)
Why join WIE?:
I joined WIE because I wanted to help create a welcoming community for women-identifying engineering students at Mac.
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COMMUNICATIONS
VP Communications: Arub Syed (she/her)
Program & Level:
Mechanical Eng & Management II
Best piece of advice you have received?:
"What's meant for you won't pass you by."
Why join WIE?:
I could think of no better way to give back to the community I loved!
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INTERNAL
VP Internal: Julia Pona (she/her)
Program & Level:
Chemical & iBio Engineering III​
Best piece of advice you have received?:
Step out of your comfort zone every once in awhile :)
Why Join WIE? Throughout highschool, I had always been passionate about learning STEM related topics and attending female empowering STEM camps such as Yes She Can at Mac (yes, I’m a local Hamiltonian)! Upon coming to Mac in first year I felt very welcomed by the WIE community. I could feel the presence of inclusion and diversity on campus right away and knew I wanted to do my part to help enhance the amazing community that was already present! Throughout my years on WIE I hope to help make a positive impact on women identifying students by creating spaces where all feel welcome and wanted.
MARKETING & MEDIA
Co-VP Marketing & Media: Julia Brzustowski (she/her)
Co-VP Marketing & Media: Emma Dyck (she/her)
Program & Level:
Computer Science III
Hobbies/Extracurriculars?:
TA, intramural volleyball, Redsuits, Mars Rover team, reading, travelling, going to the gym, trying new coffees and teas
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Why Join WIE? In first year, I was immediately drawn to WIE because of how warm, welcoming, and inspiring the community was. It can be intimidating entering a male-dominated program, but WIE showed me that there are so many amazing women out there succeeding in these fields. I decided to join to help spread that positivity and sense of community for future first years and help others the way this society helped me!
Program & Level:
Chemical Engineering and iBioMed III
Hobbies/Extracurriculars?:
Redsuits, McMaster Nuclear Reactor, Travelling, anything involving water.
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Why Join WIE? I’m from a small town that lacked representation in many fields, including engineering. In my grade 12 physics class, I was one of two girls. I use my position to provide information and support to help close this gap. Outreach is such an important pillar of our organization! I also felt super apprehensive starting my program and honestly wasn’t sure if I would be successful. I strive to help other women to make connections to create a supportive community of women in engineering!
MENTORSHIP
Co-VP Mentorship: Sophia Kouroukis (she/her)
Program & Level:
Chemical Eng II
Favourite quote?:
"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship." - Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
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Why Join WIE? Throughout my first year I attended WIE events and witnessed the amazing community that WIE fosters in engineering at McMaster! I knew that I wanted to be part of this group to continue to make positive change and bring women in engineering closer together. I've met so many wonderful people through WIE and I'm so thrilled to work with the exec team this year!
Co-VP Mentorship: Rosha Shokouhi (she/her)
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Program & Level:
Mechanical Engineering II
Favourite quote?:
"Live life, don't let life live you" - Pitbull
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Why Join WIE? I joined WIE because I thought it would be a great chance to be part of a community dedicated to empowering women in engineering. I’ve had so much fun at the WIE events and met so many amazing people. My experience as a mentee last year was fantastic, and it really inspired me to get more involved. This year, I'm excited to bring fresh, fun events to students and help create opportunities for everyone to connect and grow.
SOCIAL
Co-VP Social: Holly Legere (she/her)
Program & Level:
Mechanical & iBio Engineering III
Fav Mac Eng memory?:
The WIE Mentorship kick-off event with so many pairs meeting and connecting for the first time.
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Why Join WIE? I had the privilege of being involved with the team this past year and saw firsthand the positive impacts WIE had on students. WIE offers opportunity to develop technical skills and holds many initiatives which I've seen inspire excitement in both students and staff. I wanted to join WIE to continue to be part of such an amazing group which has been able to empower students, foster a large sense of community, and boost kindness😊.
Co-VP Social: Delina Mekonnen (she/her)
Program & Level:
Computer Eng & Management II
Fav Mac Eng memory?:
Competing at the Junior design competition with my friends hosted by McMaster Engineering Competition.
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Why Join WIE? I joined WIE to become part of an immersive community where I can make a meaningful impact on the lives of women within this faculty. WIE provides an incredible opportunity to connect with and be inspired by a diverse group of intelligent and driven women, all striving to reach their full potential. I am eager to contribute to this empowering environment, where we uplift and support one another, fostering confidence and success in our academic and professional journeys.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Co-VP Professional Dev: Andrea Siroen (she/her)
Co-VP Professional Dev.: Sarah Berberich (she/her)
Program & Level:
Mechanical & iBio Engineering III.5
What motivates you?:
Being able to pursue my passions while leading a balanced life!
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Why join WIE? The McMaster Women in Engineering Society plays a pivotal role in fostering a supportive environment for women-identifying engineering students. To actively contribute to a society that upholds a space to socialize, learn, and grow as a community is incredibly rewarding and aligns with my commitment to advancing inclusivity and empowerment within the engineering community.
Program & Level:
Civil Engineering III
What motivates you?:
Being the best version of myself!
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Why join WIE? I joined WIE because my past experiences with the club have always been positive and attending WIE events has allowed me to meet so many people within the Eng Faculty and was a great way to destress from school. I also align with WIE's focus on inclusivity and trying to create a supportive and diverse community within engineering. Overall, I am eager to contribute to event planning efforts that benefit others professionally and socially and help to strengthen connections within our community.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSIVITY COORDINATORS
EDI Coordinator: Eileen Cornejo (she/her)
Program & Level:
Chemical and Biomedical Engineering V
If you were a dessert, which would you be?:
Twist ice cream from costco, in a cup but with a waffle cone and berries on top.
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Why Join WIE? I joined WIE because I saw how much the club (and its exec) give back to the community and knew I wanted to help instill positive change in our community too. In WIE I found a place where I was supported and celebrated for being who I am, which allowed me to give my best forward.
EDI Coordinator: Ashviya Jeyaseelan (she/her)
Program & Level:
Electrical Engineering III
If you were a dessert, which would you be?:
Chocolate ice-cream!
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Why Join WIE? During my first year of university, I wanted to seek out a network of women-identifying students in the Mac Eng community and joined WIE as a First Year Representative. I hoped to get involved this year to give back to the community that supported me and help build an inclusive environment so that women-identifying students can overcome barriers and feel empowered to pursue their dreams as an engineer!
SPONSORSHIP
IDEA CONFERENCE
Sponsorship Coordinator: Sharanya Srirangam (she/her)
IDEA Conference Chair: Anna Fainberg (she/her)
Program & Level:
Mechanical & iBio Engineering IV.5
Hobbies/extracurriculars?:
I like trying new recipes, calligraphy, drawing, and watching sit-coms (Brooklyn 99 is my favourite!)
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Why Join WIE? During my first year of university, I wanted to seek out a network of women-identifying students in the Mac Eng community and joined WIE as a First Year Representative. I hoped to get involved this year to give back to the community that supported me and help build an inclusive environment so that women-identifying students can overcome barriers and feel empowered to pursue their dreams as an engineer!
Program & Level:
Mechanical & iBio Engineering II
Hobbies/extracurriculars?:
Red suits, ambassadors, Hillel Ontario leadership conference co-chair of DEI. I also love theatre, art and travelling!!!
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Why join WIE? As a woman, I have a strong belief that women in the STEM fields should be recognized and supported. I want to change the stigma around women in engineering and support all the future and current women in engineering at McMaster University. I think that WIE is important as it provides a safe and extremely supportive community that personally helped me through my first year!
OUTREACH
Co-VP Outreach: Shelby Tse (she/her)
Co-VP Outreach: Rhiannon Vu (she/her)
Program & Level:
Electrical & iBio Engineering III
Fav Mac Eng memory?
Volunteering at various outreach events, I love to meet others with similar interests to me!
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Why join WIE? The Women in Engineering Society had helped me so much in my first year at McMaster, and I hope to continue to create a welcoming and supportive environment at McMaster. I want it to be evident that engineering is for everyone! All you need to have is a positive attitude and motivation to learn, and you can be successful.
Program & Level:
Mechanical & iBio Engineering IV
Fav Mac Eng memory?
One of my favourite memories was going to WIE Karoake Night and seeing everyone sing their hearts out. It was such a fun time!
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Why join WIE? I love the WIE community and wanted to help a create a safe and inclusive environment for women-identifying students at McMaster. I'm excited to be a part of the Outreach team again this year to encourage more young women to pursue engineering.
FINANCE
Co-VP Finance: Sarah Lum (she/her)
Program & Level:
Software Engineering III
Favourite quote?:
“Humans are allergic to change. They love to say, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’ I try to fight that. That’s why I have a clock on my wall that runs counterclockwise.” - GH
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Why Join WIE? Coming from an all-girls high school, I had been surrounded by a community of empowering women. Moving into university, I had the opportunity to talk to women in WIE and make friends and connections within this society. Joining WIE has given me the opportunity to support the many amazing women in McMaster Engineering and feel like they have a space in this male-dominated field.
Co-VP Finance: Sophia Aslanidis (she/her)
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Program & Level:
Electrical & iBio Engineering V
Favourite quote?:
"Don't be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try!"
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Why Join WIE? The Women in Engineering Society had helped me so much in my first year at McMaster, and I hope to continue to create a welcoming and supportive environment at McMaster. I want it to be evident that engineering is for everyone! All you need to have is a positive attitude and motivation to learn, and you can be successful.
FIRST-YEAR REPRESENTATIVES
FYR: Faryal Ansari (she/her)
Program & Level:
IBiomedical Engineering I
Hobbies/extracurriculars?:
I love reading, writing, painting, and watching movies!
Why Join WIE? I joined WIE because I wanted to be part of shaping a supportive community that helps remind female identifying engineers at Mac that they deserve to be here!!
FYR: Nicole Saunders (she/her)
Program & Level:
iBiomedical Engineering I
Hobbies/extracurriculars?:
Swimming, running, reading and listening to music.
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Why join WIE? I have always been passionate about encouraging more female participation in STEM, specifically Engineering. Thus, I knew I wanted to be part of WIE. I became quickly interested in the society during welcome week thanks to their friendly and inclusive atmosphere. I hope to organize lots of fun events that help to bring the community closer.