Elsie Gregory MacGill 1905 -1980

• B. Electrical Eng U Toronto 1927• Master’s Aero Eng U Michigan 1929

Elsie overcame polio, attended MIT & rose to Chief Aeronautical Engineer at Canadian Car & Foundry. She subsequently opened her own consulting firm. In the 1950s Elsie became a prominent Canadian feminist, serving later on the 1st Royal Commission on the Status of Women. She continued her engineering & feminist activities throughout her life, garnering many awards incl the Order of Canada.

• Canada’s 1st practicing engineer and North America’s 1st woman aero eng

Karen DemeTest PilotBombardier Aerospace

• B.Sc. Astrophysics Queen’s U• Aviation & Flight Technology Seneca College• Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence• Worked as a flight instructor in the Toronto area

As a pilot Karen does production testing, ferry flights, demonstration flights, supporting entry into service, and occasionally some engineering flight testing.

Tammy StupaloManager, Electrical SystemsPratt & Whitney Canada

• B. Mech. Eng. U. Waterloo• Over 15 years experience at P&WC

Since 2005, Tammy has managed several different projects at P&WC and, as Team Leader for the PW617 Environmental Control System Pre-cooler project, has garnered the P&WC Pioneers of the Future Award

Natalie PanekMission Systems Engineer and Robotics OperatorMDA Space Missions

• B.Sc. Mech Eng U Calgary• U Calgary first solar car team • Pilot’s licence, interned at NASA, combustion in microgravity

As an advocate for women in engineering, Natalie is passionate about encouraging women to dive head-on into challenging careers. She has spoken at TEDx and on multiple panels for women in tech.

Lana OsuskyPhD CandidateUniversity of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies

• B. Eng. Mech U Victoria• Amelia Earhart Fellowship (2010-2011)• Numerical algorithms for aerodynamic shape optimization

Lana loves her work in aerospace because of its potential to facilitate the design of more efficient aircraft with an improved environmental footprint.

Angeline BlaisTest Engineer

• BASc & MAS uOttawa - electromagnetic field (EM) propagation• Research in EM fields, satellite MUXs design, production test engineer of

RFICs• Production & qualification test solutions for avionics at Esterline CMC

Electronics

What Angeline has most enjoyed about her career is being involved in innovation and problem solving. Her career has also given her the opportunity to grow, travel and provide for her family.

Navreet SainiAssociate Technical Specialist, AvionicsBell Helicopter

• B Eng Aerospace Ryerson U• Private pilot’s license night rating• Accepted into Embry Riddle’s Master of Aeronautical Science program• Flight Line, Brampton Flight Center

Navreet is motivated by the challenges & rewards that her job has to offer & loves that her position allows her to make a contribution to a vast industry.

Harriet LaryeaJunior Control Systems EngineeringAviya Technologies

• B.Eng. & M.Eng. Mech Concordia U• Military Marine Engineering System Operator

Throughout her military experience, despite having been the only female at times in the entire Engineering Department, Harriet has loved serving and protecting the nation and being the eyes and ears troubleshooting problems onboard a ship.

Marie-Josée LandryMaterials & Processes and Project EngineerL-3MAS

• B.Eng. Metallurgy & Materials U Laval• Master’s in Composite Materials École Polytechnique de Montréal• Current: P&WC Pylon Design, Manufacturing and Assembly, R&D Program

for Aerostructure div, Materials & Process Specialist for Aerospace Tier 1 &2 Contracts

Marie-Josée loves having a new challenge every day, the need for innovation, and the accessibility of the aerospace community. She says that becoming a mother was the best training for her to become a better engineer.

Kathy FoxBoard MemberTransportation Safety Board of Canada

• B.Sc. & MBA McGill U, M.Sc. Human Factors and System Safety Lund U Sweden

• Held senior management positions with Air Traffic Services Headquarters and NAV CANADA, retiring as Vice-President, Operations

• Quebec Air and Space Hall of Fame, Transport Canada Aviation Safety Award

Kathy holds an airline transport pilot licence, has flown over 4800 hours and still flies part-time as an instructor and pilot examiner.

Roxana ZangorManager, Product Reliability & SafetyPratt & Whitney Canada

• Master’s Math, Math Education, PhD Applied Math• Math teacher, Romania• Senior Research Scientist, United Technologies Research Center US

Roxana’s unusual career path, from math teacher to aerospace professional, has taught her to be open-minded and ready to take on new and unexpected challenges.

Nimeesha KuntawalaAdvanced AerodynamicsBombardier Aerospace

• Honours B.A.Sc. Eng Science Aerospace, M.A.Sc. U Toronto• Raced in 2007 World Solar Challenge as part of Blue Sky Solar Racing

Team• Member of UTIAS’ Airbus Fly Your Ideas Team

Nimeesha loves working at Bombardier where she is encouraged to continue learning through stretch assignments, alongside people who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences.

Sherry DraiseyPresidentGood Vibrations Engineering

• B. Civil Eng U Western Ontario • Certificate of Appreciation from PEO for Women in Engineering Advisory

Committee• Two NASA Group Achievement Awards, Canadarm

Sherry's favourite parts of the job include simplifying complex problems with eigen analysis and acting as a player on a team that works together to get big results.

Catherine ClarkResearch OfficerNational Research Council Aerodynamics Lab

• B.A.Sc. & M.A.Sc. Aerospace Eng Carleton U • Co-op at Transport Canada, Atlantis Systems International, RCMP• Currently wind tunnel project manager

Catherine loves hands-on work, applying her engineering knowledge to solve real-world problems, and managing the test process from start to finish. She has recently taken up running and competed in multiple races.

Nihad Ben SalahR&D Projects Leader Héroux Devtek

• 15 yrs School of Engineers of Tunis as Professor in Materials Science, 14 yrs in aircraft industry P&WC and Héroux D. in engineering and R&D

• Author of over 10 scientific papers, 50 technical reports, owner of patent • Landing gear component design, damage investigation,

materials/processes specs

What makes Nihad’s work interesting is that it touches the lives of people since it addresses their worries about the environment, their curiosity in the past and their interest in innovation.

Atousa PourfardMaster’s Student in Non-Destructive Inspection for Pratt & Whitney Canada École de Technologie Supérieure

• First woman in Québec certified by Society for Protective Coatings • Experience in Canada and abroad working in protective coatings and

linings, corrosion protection, fire proofing and concrete waterproofing

Atousa draws on her ingenuity and perseverance as an engineer, her discrete curiosity as a chemist and her artisan common sense to focus on a defect as small as 6 mm in her research project.

Nancy VennemanPresident and FounderAltitude Aerospace

• B.Eng. Mech École Polytechnique de Montréal• Previous experience in aircraft structural modifications and certification

programs, project planning and in-service customer support • 2010 winner of Réseau des Femmes d’Affaires du Québec Business

Women of the Year in International Entrepreneur category

Nancy loves the continuous challenges and opportunities for learning involved with her job.

Swati ShrivastavaSpecial Process Quality EngineerMessier-Bugatti-Dowty

• B.A.Sc. Materials Eng U Toronto• Pursuing Master’s degree part-time • Reviews & approves manufacturing plans & special processes for

landing gears

Swati loves that her work allows her to apply scientific theory in the practical world and be a part of a progressing team of one of humankind’s greatest inventions.

Suzanne KearnsAssistant ProfessorWestern University

• Began flying airplanes and helicopters at the age of 15 • Commercial pilot licenses in airplanes and helicopters• Currently teaches aviation safety and human factors within the

Commercial Aviation Management program

Suzanne maintains an active research program exploring the effectiveness of e-learning within aviation.

Rumbi MuvingiAircraft Modification DesignerPerimeter Aviation

• Works on windshield anti-ice heaters and efficient landing lights for planes that have to handle cold and challenging destinations

• Creates test plans and maintenance and flight manual supplements

Rumbi loves working on every aspect of a project from design drawings to engineering reports. She also enjoys the variety and challenges of the profession and looks forward to growing a career that she absolutely loves.

Heather TowndrowLiaison EngineerComposites Atlantic

• From Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, has worked in Montréal and Vancouver • Supports Northrop Grumman E2 prog & finishing of numerous parts, eg

B787

Heather loves working for a small company where her work is varied and can have a very visible impact. In her experiences, she has found that nothing helps the work life balance as much as the pace of small town life, and the availability of the freshest of local food.

Elvi DalgaardSenior Analyst in Materials EngineeringPratt & Whitney Canada

• B. Eng., M. Eng. and Doctorate in Metallurgical Eng McGill U• Worked 12 years in software development• Initiates & manages aerospace materials research projects• Co-chair of the Materials section of the Metallurgical Society of Canada

Elvi coordinates a number of roles, from work to singer to mother of three, by having clear goals in life, keeping her priorities straight, and seizing the chance to transform each experience into a learning one.

Larisa BeachVP International Business Development and Co-FounderNeptec Design Group

• Over 35 years experience in Aerospace• Previous experience at SPAR and Leigh Instruments • As Program Manager led NASA Space Vision and Laser Camera Systems• Received NASA’s Space Flight Awareness, GEM Awards and led Neptec

to win NASA’s George M. Low Award

Larisa loves overcoming programmatic challenges and dealing with diverse international cultures.

Priti WanjaraGroup LeaderMetallic Materials Joining and FormingNational Research Council Canada

• B. Eng. & Ph.D. Engineering-Metallurgy McGill U • Leader of 16 research & technical officers • 2013 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Governor General of

Canada

Among the many research partners Priti has worked with are Pratt & Whitney Canada, Bell Helicopter, Standard Aero, EADS, Bombardier, Eurocopter and Magellan Aerospace. Priti speaks four languages.

Polina SnugovskyChief MetallurgistCelestica

• PhD Metallurgy State Metallurgical Academy of Ukraine • Only Canadian invited as member of core team of scientists for 2009

lead-free Manhattan Project• Holds several Outstanding Technical Achievement Awards

Polina’s work is like an art form. She makes scientific discoveries every day and gets to create technologies that directly influence many of the products that improve the way we live and work.

Catherine TsouvaltsidisOperations ManagerThoth Technology

• B.A.Sc. Space Eng, M.Sc. Earth and Space Science in progress• Works with confirming atmospheric conditions & geo-location

parameters.• Winner of COMDEV Engineering Design Award 2012

Catherine loves being able to work in nature while continuously improving her engineering skill set. She performs maintenance and dish operations on the 46m dish of the Algonquin Radio Observatory, deep inside Algonquin Park. Her favourite pastime is star-gazing.

Susan PollockIntegrated Engineering Team Lead in Military Aircraft SystemsCAE

• B. Eng. Mech McGill U, MBA Concordia U • Previously worked with Air Forces and Navies in several countries, from

the Netherlands to Malaysia

Susan has been involved in setting up an office in Bangalore, successfully reducing development and testing costs. When Susan isn’t working, she is an avid downhill skier and loves to travel. She recently spent a few months in the Middle East and Asia with her two small children in tow.

Lorelyn LugtuMaterial SpecialistStandard Aero

• Industrial Eng Mapua Institute of Technology (Philippines)• Worked in the supply chain field 10 years • Material ordering & inventory models, product mgmt & supply support,

MRO ops

Working in an aerospace company gives Lorelyn a sense of pride. She loves the culture in her present organization and dealing with the challenges of material and inventory management.

Ruxandra BotezFull ProfessorÉcole de Technologie Supérieure

• Canada Research Chair Aircraft Modeling and Simulation Technologies• Founder and Head of the Laboratory of Applied Research in Active

Controls, Avionics and AeroServoElasticity LARCASE (130 graduated students)

• 60 journal & 130 conference papers, 3 book chapters, 50 media articles & 5 awards

Ruxandra loves graduating students and helping them to be successful in their jobs by getting them hired by aerospace companies. Her lab is the only one like it in the world with 3 major pieces of aircraft equipment: Subsonic Wind Tunnel, CAE flight simulator and Hydra’s UAV.

Lena BanbassadianSupplier Quality EngineerRolls-Royce Canada

• B. Eng. Mech Concordia U, MBA summer 2013• Manages portfolio of suppliers, performs audits, improves processes • Certified ISO9001: 2008 auditor and Lead Six Sigma Green Belt

At Rolls-Royce, Lena enjoys working along side a very diverse group of individuals from different backgrounds, countries and origins. As a junior in the industry, she is excited and looks forward to gaining more experience and expanding her opportunities.

Koushika PatelEngineering Specialist, ThermodynamicsGlobal 7000/8000Bombardier Aerospace

• B. Eng. Mech Concordia U, M. Eng. Aerospace McGill U• Experience in CFD, Aerodynamics, Drag Predication, Aero-thermodynamics,

Icing & Anti-Icing Flight Simulation

Koushika knew she wanted to go into aerospace since being intrigued by a parts diagram of Canadair’s Challenger aircraft in high school. What she loves most about her job is that it allows her to carry out research and apply it to the actual design of aircraft and then get to watch the aircraft take flight.

Sylvie BélandDirector of R&D, Aerospace Structures, Materials and ManufacturingNational Research Council of Canada

• Bachelor’s & PhD Mechanical Eng, long career at Cdn Space Agency (CSA)

• Recipient of Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal• Author of High Performance Resins and Their Composites

As Space Counsellor  and Trade Commissioner for the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at the Canadian Embassy in Paris for 5 yrs, Sylvie managed and coordinated activities between CSA and its European counterparts, mainly the European Space Agency.

Erika KangasFlight Test EngineerBombardier Aerospace

• Participant in Ryerson Institute for Aerospace Design and Innovation• Interned at P&WC and Bombardier• Experience in Liaison, Airworthiness, Flight Test & Mechanical Systems

Engineering • Recipient of 2012 Elsie MacGill Northern Lights Award - Rising Star

category

Erika is involved in many voluntary programs including Bombardier Engineering Children’s activity and conducting tours. In 2012, she was the Flight Test Engineer on-board the first biofuel-powered flight in Canada.

Karla TelidetzkiMaster’s StudentUniversity of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies

• Applies computational methods for design of environmentally friendly aircraft

• NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Graduate scholarship

Karla loves being on the forefront of knowledge in the field of sustainable aviation. In her spare time, she enjoys playing rugby and was named CIS All-Canadian for past two seasons playing for U of T.

Olena ZagoskinaJunior Project EngineerCascade Aerospace

• B.Sc. & M.Sc. Mech National Aerospace University, Ukraine• Worked on structural modifications for Hercules C-130 Fuselage Trainers

and damage tolerance analysis for modified Bombardier Q400• Executive committee of Fraser Valley Branch of APEGBC

Olena has been fascinated with airplanes since her childhood. She loves her job because it is challenging and every project is unique in its application.

Helia SharifGraduate Student Carleton University

• Completed Space Studies Program at International Space University• Worked at the European Space Agency’s Advanced Concepts Team • Worked as Field Support Engineer in Arctic assisting on NASA’s K-10

Rovers, Hamilton Sundstrand Space Suits and CSA’s Operation Space Medicine

Contributing to the vision team, Helia is responsible for the design of an autonomous geologist that will replace how the next generation of planetary exploration rovers will process and communicate the information.

Raissa El-HaddadOperation Program EngineerPratt & Whitney Canada

• B.Eng. Industrial Concordia U• Internship at Airbus military in Spain• Awarded Jaan Saber Medal and Concordia Medal• Currently responsible for PT6A engine program

What Raissa likes about her job is that it’s a challenging job where she has to apply her knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm to satisfy customer’s needs. Outside work, Raissa is a tennis fan and participates in tournaments in different countries, gaining fluency in several languages and cultures.

Mirela StanElectronics DesignerUTIAS Space Flight Laboratory

• B.Eng. Electronics and Telecommunications U Bucharest, Romania• Worked in radio-communication industry for 7 years• Designs, builds, programs, and tests the power systems of satellites

About her job, Mirela says “It is rocket science! Who wouldn’t like it?” She finds the process of fixing something that is not working as expected, and looking at the behaviour of electronic systems and finding out how things went wrong changes her by challenging the way she thinks.

Antoinette PinetCo-PresidentKAPP Concept

• Diplome universitaire en technologie mech / aeronautic option (Toulouse, France)

• Worked on projects with ASTRIUM, Airbus, Bombardier, P&WC, and MRAS

• Currently senior structural design consultant for avionic capsule Global 7000/8000

Antoinette has been interested in aircraft since she was a child and started to fly with a Cessna 152 before driving a car. She loves that her job allows her to imagine new concepts, resolve technical issues, see final product realizations, and travel.

Sarah HannahEngineer, Guidance Navigation and ControlMDA

• B. Sc. Math & Mech Eng Queen’s U, M.Eng. U Toronto• Worked on Canadarm, Canadarm2, Dextre, Mobile Base System on ISS• Received various awards from NASA for helping to resolve technical

problems

Sarah enjoys doing mission analysis using dynamic simulations and troubleshooting any problems that come up. She has found it interesting to be involved in so many different space robotics projects and feels lucky to have seen many shuttle launches, lots of space hardware up close at the Kennedy Space Center, and met several astronauts!

Anna MandraAirworthiness EngineeringBombardier Aerospace

• B. Eng. and M. Eng. Aerospace Ryerson U, PhD in progress• High Tech Luxurious Business Jet Certification & New Product

Development• PhD work in field of manufacturing of aircraft precision parts

Anna got into aerospace due to a passion she gained at an early age, which was inspired by her involvement in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Her dream is to be a leader in her field.

Anne-Lise KoesslerProject EngineerCAE

• B.Eng. Mech, Technical Degree Aeronautics, Certificat Applied Informatics• Worked on Airbus Military A400M Aircraft Virtual Maintenance Trainer, CF-

18 Structural Design Improvement, Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Maintenance Services

Anne-Lise loves that her job allows her to learn all the time, work with new technology, work with different disciplines of people, and work on project and technical sides simultaneously. Outside of her job, Anne-Lise is a road bike lover.

Inna SharfAssociate ProfessorMcGill University

• B.A.Sc. Eng Science, PhD Aerospace Eng U Toronto• Robot-airship testbed, dynamics & control of legged platforms, small

autonomous aerial vehicles • Teaches in areas of mechanics, dynamics of systems, finite elements and

control• Collaborations with MDA, CSA and NSERC, and the Herzberg Inst for

Astrophysics

At this point, Inna truly appreciates and values the opportunity to educate and mold young engineers and to see them succeed and contribute to the profession.

Kiera YoungCustomer Programs and SupportStandardAero

• B.Sc. Mech U Manitoba• Past: Engineering, Operations, Customer Support, Supply Chain and

Program Mgmt • Current: P&WC PT6 engine and Supply Chain for P&WC PT6 and PW100

engines

One of the best and most challenging things about Kiera’s job is that everyday is different! Using her engineering background in problem solving skills, Kiera focuses on breaking down problems and helping build solutions.

Myriam BrochuProfessorÉcole Polytechnique de Montréal

• Metallurgist, PhD Mechanical Engineering• Teaches material science, material characterization, fatigue and creep• Main research activities include improvement and prediction of the life of

aircraft components, hydroelectric turbines and valves

What Myriam loves the most is being part of knowledge transmission & evolution; in other words teaching. She is actively involved in scientific outreach activities to promote scientific careers to girls & women.

Anna OnuferSenior Instructional Systems DesignerCanadian Space Agency

• B. Sc. Chemistry McMaster U• Graduate Diploma Instructional Technology Concordia U• Past includes Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Marconi Company,

Tecsult Eduplus

Anna’s current work allows her to design, develop, and maintain the training courses for astronauts, mission controllers, or CSA personnel in the operation and/or monitoring of the Mobile Servicing System.

Nadia BhuiyanAssociate ProfessorConcordia University

• B.Eng. Industrial Concordia U; M.A.Sc., PhD Mech Eng McGill U• Associate Director of the Concordia Institute of Aerospace and Design

Innovation • Product development processes, with a focus on emerging tools and

techniques to optimize process performance in aerospace with P&WC, Bombardier and Bell Helicopter

The best part of Nadia’s job is teaching and interacting with students. She has received many awards for teaching excellence, research, and her contribution to student life. She plans to build a school for the underprivileged in Bangladesh.

Isabelle TremblaySenior Systems EngineerCanadian Space Agency

• B.Eng. Mech École Polytechnique Montréal • Master’s Aerospace Eng Space Technologies COOP program of 5 Québec

univs• Began career working in engineering consulting firms in mines and

metallurgy

Today, Isabelle coordinates the work of a team of engineering specialists who are responsible for supervising the development of two astronomical instruments that will be on board the next great space observatory.

Damineh AkhavanStructures EngineerViking Air

• B.Sc. Physics, B.Eng. Mech, MBA U Victoria• Diploma, Aircraft Mechanics from ICS Canada • Engineering intern at Triumph Fabrication in San Diego, California• Received Transport Canada delegation in 2012

Damineh was fascinated with space and skies since a young age when she watched the Space Shuttle Challenger take off. Growing up she faced criticism towards her dream of becoming an astronaut until she moved to Canada to pursue it.

Hande AksekiMaterials AnalystPratt & Whitney Canada

• Master’s McMaster U• Works with integrated product teams on all stages of an aircraft engine

project, from design to production

Hande enjoys the challenge of analyzing a problem and brainstorming solutions. She believes that continuous innovation and building on potential are the main sources of a company’s strength.

Nicole BuckleyChief Scientist, Life Sciences and the International Space StationCanadian Space Agency

• B.Sc. M.Sc. Microbiology U Saskatchewan; doctorate in Oral Biology U Manitoba

• Postdoctoral studies in molecular biology U Texas Health Science Ctr & U Laval

• Responsible for planning and selection of life science activities to support astronaut health, coordinating the planning of ISS activities for Canada

Communicating the benefits of science in general and the benefits of space science for all Canadians is one of Nicole’s favourite responsibilities.

Thank you for attending the CASI AERO 2013 Women in Aerospace Reception

Special thanks to our sponsor this evening: Pratt & Whitney Canada