A Mentorship Night is for women students to participate in a roundtable mentorship opportunity with working professionals form leading engineering and IT companies. The focus of this event is how to combat imposter syndrome and to learn the unwritten rules of workplace ettiquette. You will learn about best practices from professionals in the industry.
Who can attend the event?
We encourage women from all backgrounds and identities to join this Mentorship Night, especially women students in a Carleton University Bachelor, Master’s or Doctoral program, of: engineering, IT, applied science, computer science, mathematics, or physics. We are committed to creating spaces that are welcoming and supportive to women of all backgrounds, intersecting identities, and experiences – including racialized women, women with disabilities, Indigenous women, etc.
Mentors
Shreya Mishra. With a degree in aerospace engineering from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), Shreya entered the aerospace industry as a quality intern at Noranco, a Tier-2 aerospace manufacturer, working on multiple landing gear components and assemblies. Following her internship, she joined Bombardier full-time as a DAO quality engineer, having oversight across all aircraft platforms, including the brand-new C-Series. After spending four years progressing through different roles within airworthiness, she ventured into the drone manufacturing industry for a brief period, responsible for the quality, testing and certification of commercial delivery drones. Realizing her passion for the aircraft industry, Shreya joined De Havilland as an Airworthiness and Air Safety engineer in August 2022, where she is actively involved in the development of the new DHC-515 Firefighter program. In her leisure time, she can be found hitting shots on the tennis court, playing songs on the piano, or reading a book. She is also a PADI certified scuba diver and enjoys being outdoors.
Saoussen Slii. A software developer and Scrum Master, I blend technical skills with Agile methodologies to drive impactful solutions. Hailing from Tunisia, I hold a bachelor’s in computer sciences and a Master’s in Security. My journey led me to Canada, where a web development certificate propelled me into my current role since September 2021. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to continuous learning, I thrive in the dynamic world of technology.
Meet Anika Mukherjee, MSc. (she/her), a cybersecurity data analytics professional at CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority) and avid supporter of women in STEM. With 5+ years of experience in data analytics, Anika Mukherjee holds a BSc. in Biomedical Sciences (2016) and an MSc. in Health Science (2021) from the University of Ottawa. Anika was awarded the 2020 Dean’s Award of Excellence for a student–graduate. Driven by a passion for effective science communication and data storytelling, Anika excels at taking complex data and distilling it into fundamental information or information that elicits action and emotion in its readers. She most enjoys how her job falls somewhere at the precipice of art and science. Beyond data analytics, Anika loves hiking and spending time with her cat, Arya. She is an active member of the Canadian Cybersecurity and Women in STEM communities. She hopes to start a scholarship for women in STEM someday and to inspire the next generation of young women professionals in the data analytics space.
Iwona Vollrath is an IT professional with over 20 years’ experience in the aerospace industry. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a double major in Economics and Environmental Studies. Iwona started her career with Bombardier Aerospace as an analyst in the engineering department, and, through working on various corporate initiatives, settled in IT. Her work as a business analyst, business relationship manager, and organizational change manager have led her to her current role at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada as the Manager of IT Operations. She ensures the IT team operates efficiently, delivers high-quality services and adheres to IT policies, procedures and security standards. Iwona is passionate about creating relationships with vendors and business leaders and working with the IT team across three sites. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her husband and two daughters discovering new places, whether it’s locally or internationally. The world is a wonderful learning platform for everyone to discover.
Alex Wilson graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Computer Science degree in 2020. She is currently the Principal Technical Lead for Ross Video’s Inception team, and has held several roles within the team since joining as a co-op student in 2019. Alex loves solving problems and finding creative solutions that streamline workflows for end-users. She enjoys learning about new development methodologies and exploring different areas of software development. In her free time, Alex likes to act, play video games, and drink large cups of coffee while hanging out with her cat, Tapioca.
Lisa Cornfield. I’m an Ottawa native, but studied in Halifax at Dalhousie University, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Psychology. Later, I obtained a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from the Technical University of Nova Scotia in 1993. I started working at Gastops shortly after graduation and have worked across various product lines throughout my entire career. Recently, I transitioned to the Machinery Analysis group from Product Development Test Engineering, also serving as a Senior Control Systems Engineer. I played a key role in supporting propulsion machinery software for Halifax Class Frigates. Beyond work, I hold a 3rd degree black belt in Goju -Ryu Karate, a 1st degree black belt in Kobudo, and I’ve recently started training in Shaolin Kungfu. I’m also passionate about writing and am working on my first fantasy novel.
Roxanna Kemp. After earning my Mechanical Engineering Co-op B.Eng in 2020 from Carleton University, I returned to Leonardo DRS where I had completed 4 co-op work terms. As a junior member of the mechanical engineering team, I used my problem-solving skills to come up with creative solutions to complex design problems, validated them using structural analysis tools, and created drawings. As an intermediate, my responsibilities expanded to mentoring, and tackling the more challenging aspects of the projects. Finally, in my current role as Mechanical Engineering Team Lead, I work closely with the Project Engineers to ensure cross-functional requirements are met and resources are appropriately loaded to support both the projects schedule and their professional development, while also focusing on my personal assignments. Outside of work, I seek new challenges which typically present themselves in the form of rock climbs.
Marie-Claire Caillard is a Product Specialist at CAE, known also for her expertise in equity, diversity, and inclusion within the high-stakes environment of aerospace simulation. A robust background in aircraft logistics, aviation combined with her tenure as a senior product coordinator, has made her an expert in her field. Her 15 years of engineering experience have provided her with a deep understanding of the complexities of aerospace simulation and development. Her commitment to fostering inclusive workspaces makes her an exemplary mentor for students and professionals alike.
