WinSETT: MAKING WAVES

In 1974, Marg Latham was the only woman to graduate in civil engineering from Queen’s University. Since then, she has continued to be a pioneer and trailblazer. To this day, she is one of few women in Canada to have been a construction superintendent.

Over the first 20 years of her career, Marg managed major construction projects in Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver and later became the first female vice president in UMA Group, a national consulting engineering firm. Today, in her own business she is assisting major public and private sector engineering and geoscience organizations and regulators in improving professional practice. 

Marg has been a champion for women in SETT since the 1970s, has been on the WinSETT Board since 2012 and has led the board after both the death of founding chair Margaret-Ann Armour and through the pandemic.

Outside of work, Marg spends her summers sailing and being on the water with her spouse of 34 years. She is also an avid walker and enjoys downhill skiing in the winter.

Sarah Watts-Rynard has a passion for not-for-profit work, especially in the area of skills development in technical occupations and the skilled trades. As a result, she’s built strong relationships with government and a knowledge base related to skills gaps in Canada’s high-demand occupations.

With a background in communications, journalism and government relations, she’s applied her expertise to the WinSETT board specifically in the areas of advancing womens’ careers in hands-on occupations.
A mother to two daughters, Watts-Rynard is proud to volunteer with WinSETT, citing it as a deeply rewarding experience that gives her an appreciation for how dedicated women, working together, can make an impact for future generations of women in male-dominated occupations.

When she’s not at work, you can probably find Sarah traveling to far-off places, hitting a few balls on the links, or indulging in a good book.

Anna Bagus is a finance and operations professional with over 13 years of experience, currently serving in a leadership role at a non-profit housing organization. Her work spans audit oversight, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic planning in areas such as financial policy, risk management, and sustainability. Anna’s career has taken her through both private and non-profit sectors, where she has led finance and operations teams through change, growth, and optimization.

As Treasurer on the WinSETT Board, Anna brings financial insight, governance experience, and a strategic mindset to support long-term sustainability and accountability. She volunteers with WinSETT because of her deep commitment to advancing equity for women and underrepresented groups. In her spare time, Anna enjoys spending time with her dog Wilson, training for the next race, practicing Pilates, and exploring new destinations.

Seema Makwana is a professional engineer with more than 20 years experience in engineering, project management, and leadership. A lover of math and sciences, Seema discovered engineering when encouraged to look into the industry by an uncle who was also an engineer. She studied biochemistry and chemical engineering and in Calgary found success in her engineering career. Seema discovered WinSETT through its Leadership Program, where she says she learned how to navigate the workplace and was equipped with ideas and tools. Through the professional development training, she says she discovered an organization aligned with her own values and goals and so joined the board to give back.

When she’s not at work, Seema spends her time with her kids, friends, and family, specifically trying and cooking new foods together.

Deborah Harrop has more than 30 years experience in computing technologies with a background in IT security and disaster recovery. She was always disappointed with the 25-30% participation rate of women in the IT workforce and as a result got involved with a number of initiatives to introduce and retain women in the field. Joining the WinSETT board was a natural progression as she continues to support women in the technology fields. Deborah says WinSETT is just one tool to help her achieve her goal of increasing gender diversity in her division at WCB, but also in the field generally. When she’s not at work or volunteering, Deborah is often found behind her easel painting in oils, acrylics, and watercolours, or out pulling weeds in her garden.

Christina Gale is a professional engineer with more than 10 years working in the oil and gas industry in a variety of engineering roles including operations, construction, unconventional gas development, and offshore exploration. Christina has always had an interest in the applied sciences, and found working as an engineer was a great way to make sense of how things work. Christina has a passion for advocating for inclusion, equity and accessibility and in 2020, joined the WinSETT board to further that passion. She says WinSETT has surrounded her with like-minded women who are building a more equitable future for women in SETT. Christina spends the majority of her free time planning her next travel adventures, and has already visited more than 25 countries.

Afsaneh Tehrani is the Vice President of Software Development and Technology, a seasoned software engineer, and a strategic architect. She is known for her innovative solutions to complex technological issues, specializing in creating cost-effective, secure systems through Agile methodologies, digitization, and automation. This significantly boosts organizational efficiency with reusable patterns and process optimizations.

With a robust consulting background, Afsaneh provides visionary leadership, effectively collaborating with global tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and IBM to deliver complex, multimillion-dollar projects successfully.

Dedicated to professional development, Afsaneh has mentored numerous professionals, promoting a barrier-free environment conducive to success. She is a strong advocate for gender equality, actively supporting Women in Technology and Leadership, and contributing to initiatives that advance women’s rights.

Afsaneh is excited to join the WinSETT Centre, committed to empowering women in science, engineering, trades, and technology (SETT). An avid traveler, her journeys to over 20 countries have greatly enriched her personal and professional life.

With a career beginning in upstream Oil and Gas operations, Lindsay challenged her Third-Class ABSA examinations while training as a Gas Pipeline Controller on the NGTL system for TC Energy. Upon completion of both qualifications, she was promoted to management in the Canada Gas Control Centre with focus on pandemic response and Coastal Gas Link readiness.

Shifting gears in 2023 she currently resides on Treaty 8 land in Alberta, now working as the Area Manager for the Aurora Central Team at TC Energy. Her team’s primary focus is ensuring safe, reliable delivery of natural gas to Intra-Provincial energy customers.

Lindsay is not one to shy away from addressing female representation in the workplace and beyond. She is passionate about addressing traditional gender roles, mindsets, and how workplace environments play a role in what women believe they are capable of. Collegial discussions with peers on topics such as team expansion and tradespeople have stoked Lindsay’s interest in contributing to a vision of inclusion in male dominated fields. Her lens on this issue is: instead of asking why diversity, ask why not.

Aside from her career, Lindsay enjoys spending time equally between the great outdoors with her 3 dogs and playing video games while remaining an active participant in the Alberta e-sports community.

Alice Liang is a professional engineer and Product Marketing Manager with over fifteen years of experience in product development, safety certification, and project leadership. She holds an MBA and has worked across technical and commercial roles in R&D and manufacturing environments, with a focus on delivering practical, customer-focused solutions. Throughout her career, Alice has contributed to initiatives that support inclusion and advancement in STEM—mentoring early-career professionals, participating in outreach programs for youth, and engaging in networks that promote leadership opportunities for women in technical fields.

Her volunteer work is driven by a strong belief in creating environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. She is especially focused on helping more women enter and stay in STEM careers by supporting mentorship, visibility, and community-building efforts. Alice values collaboration and continuous learning, and brings those principles into both her professional and volunteer work.

Outside of work, Alice enjoys 3D printing, snowboarding, and exploring new places through travel. She brings curiosity, creativity, and a thoughtful approach to everything she takes on.

Aster Aytenfisu is a civil engineer with over a decade of experience in project management, engineering design, and stakeholder engagement. Her career has spanned oil and gas, infrastructure, and sustainability sectors, where she has led multi-disciplinary teams and large-scale projects with a focus on collaboration and impact. Aster holds a degree in Civil Engineering and has been recognized for her leadership within technical and community settings.

She first discovered WinSETT through its Leadership Program in 2019, where workshops like Emotional Intelligence, Negotiating for Success, and Navigating Politics in the Workplace helped her develop the confidence and tools needed to lead authentically. Inspired by the values and support she found in the program, she became committed to creating more inclusive and equitable environments for women in STEM.

Outside of work, Aster has volunteered her time with organizations that support professional development and build connections amongst women and youth. She is excited about the opportunity to give back to WinSETT and amplify its mission through marketing and outreach.

Emma Pollard is the Project Director at the Office to Advance Women Apprentices (OAWA), where she oversees regional teams across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. As a recognized leader in trades advocacy, Emma is committed to advancing equity in the skilled trades through strategic partnerships, inclusive programming, and community-driven initiatives. Her work focuses on creating pathways that support and sustain the success of women in apprenticeship and journeyperson roles. 

Emma plays a national role in apprenticeship advocacy as a Board Member with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum and as Chair of the Sisters in the Brotherhood Committee, where she contributes to shaping inclusive practices and representing the voice of tradeswomen across Canada.

She resides in Edmonton, Alberta, with her husband and their two dogs, Benjamine and Franklin who are known to make occasional appearances as OAWA Alberta’s mascots.

Jody is a seasoned IT strategist and operations leader with over 25 years of experience in the technology sector. As lead of the IT Development & Reporting team at TAQA North, she drives digital transformation, leads a cross-functional team, and supports IT strategy and governance. With a strong background in IT governance, enterprise program delivery, vendor management, and business analysis, Jody has held leadership and consulting roles across various organizations. She is widely recognized for her strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and commitment to fostering inclusive, high-performing teams.

Outside of work, Jody is active in community service and advocacy, supporting initiatives in health, mental wellness, and social impact. She is honored to serve on the board of WinSETT (Women in Science, Engineering, Trades, and Technology) and looks forward to contributing to the advancement of women in underrepresented fields.

Jody enjoys running, hiking, reading, and traveling. She values time with her fiancé & family and is often accompanied by Cinder, her energetic dog.