OUR TEAM
Meet our team for the 2025-2026 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: Julia Pona (she/her)
Program & Level:
Chem iBio IV
What motivates you?
My family! Both my parents are immigrants from Poland and have worked hard to give me the opportunity to succeed in university.
Why join WIE? I joined WIE because I am passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive space within engineering. Clubs such as WIE help all students feel like they have a place within the faculty!
Co-President: Rhiannon Vu (she/her)
Program & Level:
Mechanical & iBio Engineering V
What are some of your interests?:
I enjoy travelling, trying new foods, listening to music, and walking my dog.
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Why join WIE? I wanted to join WIE after attending several events and participating in the WIE Mentorship Program. The community welcomed me with open arms and gave me a true sense of belonging. I felt inspired to give back to this amazing community and help foster a safe, inclusive space for women-identifying students on campus. I am also deeply passionate about outreach and hope to inspire more young women to purse engineering.
COMMUNICATIONS
Co-VP Communications: Holly Legere (she/her)
Program & Level:
Mechanical & iBio Level 4
What motivates you?:
I am most motivated by watching my friends and family achieve what they set out to do.
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Why join WIE? I joined WIE because I love the empowerment, mentorship, opportunities and values the society spreads throughout the engineering faculty. I had the privilege of being involved with the team the last two years and have seen firsthand the positive impacts WIE has on students. Our society has been able to empower students, foster a large sense of community, and boost kindness at Mac and it has been an honour to be a small part of that.
Co-VP Communications: Yusra Liverakos (she/her)
Program & Level:
Mechanical III
What motivates you?:
Planning everything out! I thoroughly enjoy planning all my tasks and checking off my to do list it makes any task easy to complete.
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Why join WIE? I joined WIE because of the incredible support and sense of community it provides to women in engineering at McMaster. Throughout my undergrad, WIE has helped me feel empowered, connected, and confident in my journey. I naturally gravitated toward applying for an exec position to give back to the community that has already given me so much.
Why join WIE? From my high school, only two girls went into engineering and both went into Mac Eng, so I've always known that women in this field are underrepresented. Starting at McMaster, I wanted to make an active effort to lift other women up and inspire and motivate each other, and WIE was the perfect opportunity to do that. I was extremely inspired seeing all of the initiatives the team ran throughout my first year and I wanted to be apart of that!
Why Join WIE? I joined WIE because I’m passionate about promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, especially in a traditionally male-dominated field like engineering. WIE was a key part of my smooth transition to Mac Eng, and I wanted to help provide that same supportive experience for others.
MARKETING & MEDIA
Co-VP Marketing & Media: Brianna Hirceaga (she/her)
Co-VP Marketing & Media: Shelby Tse (she/her)
Program & Level:
Chemical & Bioengineering II
What are some of your interests?:
Reading & Travelling as much as I can!
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Program & Level:
Electrical & iBioMed IV
Fav Mac Eng memory?:
Preparing for the IWD Gala and the gala itself!
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MENTORSHIP
Co-VP Mentorship: Filipa Dias (she/her)
Co-VP Mentorship: Sankavi Kirushnakumar (she/her)
Program & Level:
Electrical Engineering
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What are some of your interests? I love reading and learning new languages (slowly making progress with Spanish!). I also love running; it's my favorite way to reset. When I’m not doing that, I’m probably rewatching Modern Family, going on long walks, or catching up with friends over coffee.
Why join WIE? As a first-generation student, I know how hard it can be to navigate everything alone. I joined WIE to help support incoming students who might feel just as lost. Having transferred faculties and joined Mac Eng a bit later, I wanted to be part of the community while also supporting those dealing with imposter syndrome and the feelings of not belonging that are so common for women in engineering.
Program & Level:
Electrical Engineering and Society IV
What motivates you?
My community, family and friends :)
Why join WIE? WIE has allowed me to connect with my community and get involved in many exciting events focused on social engagement, professional development, mentorship, and more! Joining WIE has also given me the opportunity to take on leadership roles, organize events, and develop skills beyond the classroom.
SOCIAL
Co-VP Social: Amber Morrison (she/her)
Program & Level:
Mechanical and iBioMed III
What are some of your interests?:
I am a competitive powerlifter on the McMaster Barbell competition team and I teach recreational hip hop with McMaster.
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Why join WIE? WIE fosters such a welcoming and inclusive community that helps make Mac Eng so so special! From social events and getting to know others to professional development, it unifies the women-identifying community in engineering and helps it grow tremendously.
Co-VP Social: Rosha Shokouhi (she/her)
Program & Level:
Mechanical Engineering III
What are some of your interests?:
Rock climbing, playing the piano, drawing
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Why join WIE? I joined WIE because of the impact it had on me in my first year. The community helped me navigate the challenges of starting university and made me feel supported. I wanted to give back by helping other first-year students who might be in the same position I was, and contribute to creating a welcoming and encouraging space for them.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Co-VP Professional Dev.: Gursimran Gill (she/her)
Co-VP Professional Dev.: Sharanya Srirangam (she/her)
Program & Level:
Civil Engineering III
What are some of your interests?:
I love to read and watch motorsports (mostly F1 and Indy)
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Why join WIE? WIE made me feel like I had a place in engineering when I needed it most, especially in first year. Now being part of the team, I get to help create that same feeling for others. I’ve always loved connecting with people and being part of spaces that make others feel welcome and supported. WIE has such a strong, uplifting community, and I’m really proud to help keep that going for anyone finding their way in engineering.
Program & Level:
Mechanical and iBioMed V
What are some of your interests?:
I love drawing, painting, calligraphy, and anything art-related. I also enjoy cooking and trying new recipes.
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Fav project you've worked on? My favourite WIE initiative that I've worked on is the AMD Panel & Networking Night. It was great to see students connecting with women in engineering roles and being inspired by their journeys.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION COORDINATORS
EDI Coordinator: Emma Dyck (she/her)
Program & Level:
Chem iBio Level 4
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EDI Coordinator: Sophia Aslanidis (she/her)
Program & Level:
Electrical and iBiomed 5
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Why join WIE? I joined WIE to contribute to the the supportive community that helped me through my first year. At Mac Eng, no one should ever be left behind, and I want to make it known to our community (and beyond) that everyone can be an engineer; all you need is a work ethic and a desire to learn!
Fav project you've worked on? I have loved working on the WIE Outreach Ambassador program! High school outreach is so important, as there are so many students who don't even consider engineering until they learn more about it or feel represented in the field.
INTERNAL
Co-VP Internal: Julia Brzustowski (she/her)
Program & Level:
Computer Science IV (Co-op)
What motivates you?:
My friends and family, and doing the things I love :)
Why join WIE? Communities like WIE are so important to connect women in male dominated programs and showcase women succeeding in STEM. I did a lot of similar outreach programs throughout elementary school and high school which inspired me to pursue a career in computer science, so when I came to Mac I was immediately drawn to the familiarity of WIE. I am so happy to be back on the team this year and be able to contribute to this amazing community!
Co-VP Internal: Sarah Lum (she/her)
Program & Level:
Software Level 4
What are some of your other interests?:
RedSuits, The Drain, reading, travelling, cooking
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Why join WIE? My all-girls high school fostered a culture of support and empowerment for young women in STEM. Joining WIE has given me the opportunity to continue being supported in my journey, while also encouraging and uplifting other women in engineering.
SPONSORSHIP
IDEA CONFERENCE
Sponsorship Coordinator: Andrea Siroen (she/her)
IDEA Conference Chair: Kendra Nayanka (she/her)
Program & Level:
Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering V
What are some of your other interests?:
I love getting active! Soccer, lacrosse, hockey, bouldering, you name it! I also love gardening 🪴.
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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. It serves as a space for socializing, learning, and growing as a community. Speaking from experience, the relationships built through such a community are invaluable, as they can provide guidance, support, and encouragement to navigate challenges and expand horizons. I am eager to contribute further to our team’s commitment to advancing inclusivity and empowerment within the engineering community.
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Program & Level:
Level II Electrical Engineering + Minor in Nuclear Engineering
Fav Mac Eng memory?:
Welcome week was so much fun because all of the amazing events and friends I made.
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What are some of your interests? I love playing tennis and I'm on the McMaster tennis team. I also love reading, writing, watching movies, filming stop motion, etc.
OUTREACH
Co-VP Outreach: Francesca Buckley (she/her)
Co-VP Outreach: Sophia Kouroukis (she/her)
Program & Level:
Electrical Engineering and Management 3
Fav Mac Eng memory?
Getting to meet other girls passionate about stem at WIE outreach events
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Why join WIE? I want to be a driving force in fostering a welcoming community at McMaster Engineering and inspire other women-identifying students to not be afraid to pursue their passions and dreams!
Program & Level:
Chemical Engineering lll
What are some of your interests?
I love to read! And also play sports, I’ve played intramural volleyball and ultimate frisbee!
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Why join WIE? I joined WIE after participating in the mentorship program in my first year. It seemed like a wonderful community to be apart of and I wanted to help plan and execute initiatives to support women-identifying students! It has been the highlight of my undergrad so far!
FINANCE
Co-VP Finance: Arub Syed (she/her)
Program & Level:
Mechanical and Management III
What are some of your interests?:
I love movies and baking! On campus, I’m also on the McMaster Aerospace Team and a TA for 1P13.
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Why join WIE? For the incredible community and mentorship within the team!
Co-VP Finance: Delina Mekonnen (she/her)
Program & Level:
Computer Eng and Mgmt Level 3
What are some of your interests?:
Running, reading, music, binge watching shows
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Why join WIE? I joined WIE to support and empower women in engineering by fostering a fun and inclusive environment. I’m passionate about creating spaces where women can connect, share experiences, and grow together. Through WIE, I hope to contribute to initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and representation in the field.
FIRST YEAR REPRESENTATIVE
First Year Rep: Rachel Leung (she/her)
Program & Level:
iBioMed I
Fav project you've worked on?:
I work for a non-profit called Ontario Saves Lives to coordinate free CPR and first aid workshops!
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Why join WIE? WIE made me feel welcome by giving me the chance to build connections and learn from upper years! I wanted to help others feel that same empowerment and sense of community, especially first years who might be unsure about finding their place. I know first-hand the support and confidence that comes when women lift each other up.