WinSETT: MAKING WAVES
A swell of change comes from the tiniest event. A single drop of water can break open ancient stones or create a ripple for miles. Together, enough droplets of water form a wave, which can impact the landscape and alter the view. WinSETT is the wave of change – towards inclusivity – in the male-dominated world of science, engineering, trades, and technology.
TURNING THE TIDE
WinSETT is a progressive, action-oriented, non-profit organization, aspiring to recruit, retain, and advance the careers of under-represented people in the SETT world. Since 2010, we have worked to make a dramatic impact on industry; starting with our flagship Leadership Program – guiding awareness and change through facilitated learning to leaders across Canada.
We amplify voices and celebrate the leadership and achievements in our industries. Through partnerships with government, business, and industry, WinSETT fosters opportunities to develop and implement inclusive policies, improved working experiences, and increased innovation throughout the country.
WAVE OF THE FUTURE
WinSETT envisions a world where everyone – including under-represented groups like women and gender non-conforming people – can participate fully in the fields of science, engineering, trades, and technology. Join us and become part of the surge toward equity, gender diversity, and inclusion in SETT.
Pictured is WinSETT’s Founder:
Margaret-Ann Armour (6 September 1939 – 25 May 2019).
MEET OUR TEAM
The WinSETT team works daily to progress the careers of under-represented groups in the male-dominated world of science, engineering, trades, and technology. Meet our team and get in touch to discover the work we’re doing.
Toby Michaud, B. Sc.
- (she|her)
Toby Michaud is the Principal at Linksides Consulting and has spent her career, first as a wildlife biologist working in the field on wildlife inventory and ecology projects, before moving into a project management and leadership role, eventually launching her own facilitation and training business.
Toby has had a fascination with the natural world since girlhood, leading her to a career in science, but her career also gave her skills in the areas of data interpretation and creative problem solving, while also showing her the lack of gender diversity in the sciences. She says she’s benefited from a lot of mentorship and support from women colleagues and leaders, and now it’s her turn to give back to women in SETT, which is why she got involved with WinSETT.
When she’s not working or facilitating, Toby is still passionate about spending time outdoors, especially with her family, but she also loves curling up with a cup of tea and a great book.
Katherine Sinex, P.Eng., M.Sc. (Psychology)
- (she|her)
Katherine Sinex has worked in the petroleum industry in technical, planning, change management, and leadership roles for more than 20 years. She’s worked with large, global teams to steward major capital funding requests for more than two dozen projects in just one year and later designed and developed a cultural change program known as Leading Performance and as a result was honoured with a Young Women in Energy Award in 2016.
Katherine is currently National Leadership Program Director for WinSETT.
Renée Kirby, Administration
- (she|her)
Renée is an independent contractor working with WinSETT supporting administration. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with experience in oil and gas, municipal land development, evaluation and reporting, as well as over 20 years of nonprofit experience. Renée is drawn to SETT as these are some of the foundations of society, verifying traditional ways of knowing, and can be used in diverse ways to approach many issues. As a woman who has spent decades searching for arenas in which she can show up authentically, Renée is passionate about WinSETT’s vision of a world where women participate fully in SETT. Renée will take any opportunity to spend time outside, where you will find her cycling, hiking, camping, snowshoeing and even working.
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WinSETT is governed by a board of directors consisting of accomplished women leaders in SETT fields. Meet the board.
Marg Latham, Chair
- P.Eng., CMC (President, Aqua Libra Consulting Ltd.)
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, Vice Chair
- Chief Executive Officer, Polytechnics Canada
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.
Christina Gale, Treasurer
- P.Eng. (Senior Development Engineer, Cenovus Energy)
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.
Deborah Harrop, Director
- I.S.P., CISSP, CBCP, CISM (Director Business Technology Operations, Workers’ Compensation Board – Alberta)
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.
Seema Makwana, Director
- P.Eng. (Commercial Interface Manager, TC Energy)
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.
Munaza Saleem, Director
PharmD, BSc (Medical Science Liaison, Immunology-Gastroenterology, AbbVie)
Munaza Saleem is a licensed Pharmacist, holding a Doctor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo. She has over 7 years of diverse experience in pharmaceutical industry, regulatory authority, hospital, and community pharmacy settings, and currently works within Medical Affairs as a Medical Science Liaison in Immunology-Gastroenterology. Prior to this role, she completed her Industry Pharmacy Residency in Medical Affairs and supported strategies for real world evidence generation studies in neuroscience and rare diseases. Munaza’s passion for gender equality and female empowerment inspired her to work with Plan International Canada, where she collaborated with Canada’s Minister of National Defense on strategies regarding female representation in the Canadian Armed Forces, the future of the pharmacy profession, and mental health in Canada. She joined the WinSETT board through her passion for helping women overcome challenges in SETT fields with the goal of fostering equitable representation in science, engineering, trades, and technology.
Munaza is the honoured recipient of multiple accolades and awards for her work, including the international Diana Award, Dr. Charlie Bayliff Memorial Award, President’s Leadership Award, and the Richard Vollans Science Leadership Award.
Outside of work, you can find Munaza travelling the world, hiking, or discovering new cafes.
Afsaneh Tehrani, Director
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.
Lindsay Gropp, Director
Alberta Certified Power Engineer – Third Class
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.
Angela McDow, Director
Angela is Senior Regional Director at Info-Tech Research Group, an Erickson Certified Master Coach (ECMC) and is educated in Technology, Systems Management, Business, and Public Relations. She has over 20 years experience inspiring innovation and transformation by leveraging technology, inspired leadership, diverse engaged teams, and process enhancements for sustainability. Angela also serves on the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce as Vice-Chair on the Finance, Budget, and Regulation Committee.
Angela has a true passion for contributing to diversity, inclusion, and equity. She is a lifelong learner, a nature lover, and a proud mom to her daughter and two adopted rescue animals.
Joining the WinSETT board in 2024 was an opportunity for her to collaborate with other amazing leaders and make a measurable difference in equity in Canada.
A TRIBUTE TO MARGARET-ANN ARMOUR
Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour was WinSETT’s founding Chair and an inspiring example for girls and women aspiring to be scientists, engineers, tradeswomen and technologists.
For almost 40 years, she was Canada’s premier ambassador of women in science, volunteering tirelessly to raise national awareness among school-age girls, students, educators, parents and employers of the importance of encouraging women to enter male-dominated fields.
As one of the few women in chemistry, she was struck by the need to encourage more women to become involved. In 1981, she founded Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology (WISEST) at the University of Alberta and, in 2009, led a group of women to found the Canadian Centre for Women in Science, Engineering, Trades and Technology (WinSETT).
WinSETT lives on as she imagined, inspiring women to enter, stay and grow their careers as scientists, engineers, tradeswomen and technologists. Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour, the woman who started the wave.