Local Tech Firms Redbrick and Shift Dedicate Two New Scholarships for Women in STEM through Island Women in Science and Technology
Victoria, BC - Island Women in Science and Technology (iWIST) is proud to announce two new scholarships as part of the Island Women in STEM program. Starting in spring of 2025 two $5000 scholarships will be available for students going into their second year of study at an island based post-secondary institution. Local companies Redbrick and Shift -a company within Redbrick’s portfolio - have committed to providing program funding support for the next three years.
“When women pursue their passion for tech, our industry thrives,” says Christine Tatham, Chief People Officer at Redbrick. “These scholarships are a critical investment in diversifying the industry talent pipeline and we hope to empower underrepresented individuals to make their mark on the industry.” As a Certified B Corporation, Redbrick is committed to encouraging innovation alongside positive impact,” explains Tatham. “Scholarships forge a path for the next generation of leaders and those who follow in their footsteps. We want to help lead the way.”
iWIST members heard the good news of the expanded scholarships on Friday, December 13 at the iWIST Annual General Meeting, held at Hatley Castle. Founded in 2011, iWIST has been a beacon of support for women in STEM on Vancouver Island. Louise Wilkinson, iWIST Board Chair, is grateful for this program backing, “Our mission at iWIST is to help women engage and thrive in their STEM careers,” she shared at the AGM. “Having Redbrick and Shift join us as champions and provide critical funding for their education is truly appreciated by our community.”
Image Right: iWIST celebrate scholarship announcement at their 2024 AGM
Photography Credit: Chad Hipolito
The iWIST scholarship program aims to provide financial assistance but also to recognize and celebrate the resilience of women navigating traditionally male-dominated fields. For Mahum Azeem, Lead Developer at Shift, volunteering for the iWIST scholarships was personally fulfilling, “Being a volunteer adjudicator for iWIST scholarships has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s inspiring to see such a talented and driven group of women with innovative ideas and a deep commitment to creating meaningful change.” She is excited about the new scholarships her company is funding. “I’m thrilled to play a small role in supporting future leaders and I’m proud to see my own company pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future.”
Both scholarships open for applications May 2025. As iWIST continues to grow and evolve, this Island Women in STEM scholarship program marks a significant milestone in its journey to cultivate allyship, promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, develop leaders and ultimately, grow the number of women in STEM.
Ally Kuefler and Mahum Azeem of Redbrick celebrate the scholarship announcement at the iWIST 2024 AGM
Photography Credit: Chad Hipolito