Building community for women in science and tech

Plus, an economist's take on the year ahead.

Author

Allison Gacad
February 02, 2023

Welcome to this week’s Thursday Feature. In this issue, meet the new board members championing women in science and technology on the Island, and gain some insights from private-sector leaders on breaking down business barriers, what the recession may have in store, and the human side to leadership in tech.

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New faces lead women, transgender, and non-binary individuals in local science and tech

The two new co-chairs of iWIST: Tamara Summers, left; Louise Wilkinson, right. Photo: iWIST

Island Women in Science and Technology (iWIST), a non-profit that brings together women and allies in STEM on the Island, recently appointed eight new members to its board, including two new co-chairs. Tamara Summers, a lawyer from the United States with a Master's certificate in project management from UVic, joins Louise Wilkinson, a sustainable business chief for Island companies, in leading iWIST this upcoming year.

iWIST was first founded in 2011 to build a positive and supportive community for women working in STEM on Vancouver Island. Today, the volunteer-run community organizes at least six events across the region every year.

"With prior leadership having built a solid foundation for the organization, we are free to shift our focus to the needs of our membership, partners, and sponsors, working alongside allies and partners to further incentivize women, transgender, and non-binary people to make an impact by actively participating in a variety of social and educational events," said Summers.

Most of iWIST's past events have taken place in and around Victoria. As Summers is based in the capital and Wilkinson's home is Ladysmith, the new co-chairs aim to engage with both south and mid-Island communities "to expand our presence and invite folks located in other areas of the Island to be heard," said Summers.

The new board members also include Anastasia Hunse, technical support staff at a fintech company; Helen Lockhart, a retired municipal engineer; Kate Fagan Taylor, certified management consultant; Mamata Patil, experienced in people-centric operational roles in tech; and Sayri Hernandez, an energy and SaaS market consultant.

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📰 More Victoria innovation news

👩‍💼 Learning from more women in tech: Karren Le Gear, chief operating officer of RFDM Solutions, shines a spotlight on the human side of being a leader in the sector. Read the full piece.

🌊 Breaking bluetech barriers: In the latest episode of COAST Talks, learn how local ecosystem builders and tech innovators disrupt traditional approaches and markets in the ocean economy. Watch on YouTube.

📉 Heavy recession or soft landing? Scotiabank's Chief Economist Jean-François Perrault shared his predictions for the year ahead at the Canada's Leading Economist event, hosted by the South Island Prosperity Partnership, on January 25. Read SIPP's summary of his takeaways.

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