Louise Wilkinson (she/her)

iWIST Chair | Business Improvement Analyst, Mosaic Forests | Change Agent | Data-Driven | Community Builder

Louise joins the iWIST board with a true passion for transitioning the world to sustainability, and empowering women in STEM. Her 20+ year career has seen her grow into a thoughtful and inclusive leader that delivers impact at local, national and international levels. She is a strong business leader with a track record for finding solutions and creating change. An avid traveler with a love for art and science, Louise grew up in the UK, and currently resides in Ladysmith, BC.

Sanjana Rawat (she/her)

iWIST Treasurer | Project Manager, National Research Council Canada

Sanjana is a dynamic Project Manager at the National Research Council Canada in Victoria, BC, with a fervor for innovation, sustainability and effective project management. A forward-thinking and agile professional, she brings a wealth of diverse experience – from conducting quality control tests in laboratories to steering multimillion-dollar international Research and Development (R&D) projects. With a BSC in Microbiology, a Master’s Diploma in Applied Project Management, and an MBA in Sustainable Innovation, Sanjana is dedicated to driving innovation for a better tomorrow.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Sanjana is committed to tacking systemic barriers faced by new immigrants and refugees in accessing opportunities. Sanjana aspires to help build a more inclusive, diverse and prosperous community by offering talent management support. Outside of work, Sanjana finds joy in hiking, painting, running and exploring the outdoors with her friends and family.

Alison Bird (she/her)

iWIST Secretary | Seismologist

Alison has been working as an Earthquake Seismologist with Natural Resources Canada since 2000. For 20 years, she analyzed and researched western Canada's earthquakes, and visited Haida Gwaii as part of a response team after the 2012 magnitude 7.8 earthquake. In recent years, Alison modeled fault rupture scenarios for a comprehensive seismic risk assessment for Canada. Alison routinely responds in the wake of significant events (having given over 1,000 interviews).

In 2020, Alison joined the national Earthquake Early Warning project as Liaison & Outreach Officer, helping to establish an EEW system for Canada, which will be launched in 2024.

Alison is involved in numerous outreach activities, and is passionate about seismic-resistant engineering, in encouraging mitigation practices for at-risk communities, and in educating the public about earthquake hazards. She is on the Board of Directors for the BC Earthquake Alliance and on the Organizing Committee for the annual Great British Columbia ShakeOut earthquake drill.

Alison was introduced to iWIST when she provided a tour of the Pacific Geoscience Centre as part of an iWIST Tech Crawl several years ago, and was thrilled to have the opportunity to join such a vibrant, diverse, interesting group of women in STEM.

Oluwapelumi Ogeroju

iWIST Director | Project Director, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

Oluwapelumi describes herself in three words - A Believer. An Explorer. An Epicurean. Currently, she is a Project Director at the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in Victoria, British Columbia with a specific focus on clean and sustainable transportation- active transportation. She has several years under her belt developing propositions and strategy for global companies, including Etisalat, Nokia, Microsoft, and LafargeHolcim, before establishing a consulting firm, Transform to Scale.

As a lifelong learner, she has attended courses at leading institutions, including CIM, UK, London School of Economics and Political Science, Harvard Business School and Royal Roads University in Canada. She holds a BSc in Political Science, certifications in Project Management (PMP and PRINCE2) and a Professional Scrum Master (PSM).  In her spare time, she enjoys working with small businesses on product development and business strategy To let her hair down, Oluwapelumi loves all things sands, pools & beaches, reading, bird’s eye viewing, shuttle cork smashing, and food that are vehicles for hot sauce.

Tara Coulter (she/her)

iWIST Director | Employment Development Officer, UVic

As an Employment Development Officer at the University of Victoria, Tara collaborates with leading technology employers to create valuable co-op opportunities for Engineering and Computer Science students. With a strong network of recruiters across Canada and the United States, and her 15 years of experience in co-operative education, Tara is driven by a passion to develop impactful, hands-on learning experiences that shape the careers of technology students at UVic.

Before joining UVic, Tara held the position of Executive Assistant at the Royal BC Museum and has a rich and diverse career background spanning the spa industry, real estate, national parks service and the performing arts.

A true life-long learner, Tara has a wide variety of interests. When she's not helping shape students’ careers, she can be found sailing, playing guitar, singing with a local Rock choir, writing fiction, and voice acting.

Robyn Quinn, APR, MA, Fellow CPRS (she/her)

iWIST Director | Storyteller | Leader

Excited to return to a role with the Island Women in Science and Technology Board, President of Big Bang Communications and longtime Chair of IWIST, Robyn Quinn is a dynamic communications professional with 20 years experience working in education, research, technology, government, not-for-profit, association and transportation sectors. 

Originally from Nova Scotia, she developed and delivered award winning public relations and marketing campaigns from coast to coast and is passionate about supporting the growth of women in leadership roles. Volunteer Victoria recognized her commitment to IWIST with a Leadership Award in 2018 presented by Lt Governor Janet Austen.

A graduate of Royal Roads University (MA Professional Communications) and Saint Mary’s University, Robyn is a long time accredited member of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) and named Fellow in 2018. She was CPRS National President 2004/05. While working at Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in Nova Scotia she was recognized several times for her unique approaches to making funding announcements for innovative labs. No animals were harmed in the process.

While working at Natural Resources Canada (Pacific Forestry Centre), in 2008 Robyn co-chaired National Science and Tech Week for BC & Yukon.

In 2015 and in 2020 Robyn was nominated for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards.

Supporting women in STEM on their career path is an important role for Robyn - she has delivered sessions for national conferences (Canadian Coalition for Women in Engineering Science Trades and Technology) and been a featured speaker for other women’s organizations (Women in Leadership, SFU-WWEST, GirlBoss). Robyn is also a longtime mentor for the Gustavson business program at UVic.

Michelle Cash (she/her)

iWIST Director | M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications

Michelle is a marketing and communications strategist and leader who has delivered results for both private and venture capital-funded technology startup organizations and international businesses, such as Microsoft, Y&R Brands, and Bacardi, over the past 20+ years.

She has lived and worked in Canada, Europe, and the United States. Michelle has been involved in supporting women in business and STEM through her participation and support of various initiatives, including workplace mentorship, 50/50 Women on Boards, organizing the North Carolina Technology Association’s first Women in Tech Panel, and sponsoring events to inspire female empowerment, such as Girls on the Run and Project Scientist.

Purvi Dubey (she/her)

iWIST Board Director | Test Lead and Product Support Assistant | Community Support Worker

Purvi is a passionate professional with a strong background in technology and community engagement. As a Test Lead and Product Support Assistant at Certainty Software, she ensures the delivery of high-quality solutions through careful testing and exceptional client support. In her role as a Community Support Worker, Purvi is committed to fostering inclusive environments where individuals can thrive.

A graduate in Information and Computer Systems, Purvi has also developed her leadership skills as Campus Director in her college’s student society, where she led initiatives that promoted collaboration and empowered peers.

Now serving as a Board Director at iWIST, Purvi is excited to contribute her energy and insights to advancing the representation of women and allies in STEM. Outside of work, she enjoys connecting with people, staying on top of trends, and exploring new experiences with friends. A passionate extrovert with an interest in fashion, Purvi brings a creative and dynamic perspective to everything she does.

Megan Fuller (she/her)

iWIST Director | MBA, BSc, RMLAT | Project Manager, BC Cancer | Manager of Scientific & Business Operations, Innovakine Therapeutics

Megan has 22 years of experience in cancer research and biotechnology, in the public sector for 17 years and the private sector for 2. She has been an inventor on four patent applications and a co-author on more than 20 scientific publications. She has also presented seminars, workshops and posters at conferences and events. Megan has an MBA in Sustainable Innovation from the University of Victoria, and a BSc in Pharmacology with Honours from UBC. 

Megan works as a Project Manager in the Conconi Family Immunotherapy Lab at BC Cancer and Manager of Scientific Operations at Innovakine Therapeutics. She is also an instructor in the Faculty of Business at Camosun College.

Megan is actively involved in her community volunteering for the Canadian Association of Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS) for the past 19 years, serving as Finance Chair since 2022, CALAS rep to the Canadian Council of Animal Care (CCAC) since 2023, and member of the CCAC’s Public Affairs and Communications Committee since 2023.

Megan has been national examiner at the CALAS RMLAT and RLAT certification levels since 2013. She is also actively involved in study groups and workshops to promote the certifications process. Megan also contributes to publication of the CALAS National Member’s Magazine and has been involved with the local CALAS chapters in both Victoria and Vancouver. She also volunteers as treasurer of the Torquay Elementary School PAC.

Rasha Maal-Bared (she/her)

iWIST Director | Principal Environmental Scientist @ CDM Smith | Microbiology, Water Quality, Research | WEF Community Leadership Council Chair

Rasha is a principal scientist at the CDM Smith Canada and an adjunct professor with the University of Alberta’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Before that, she was the wastewater treatment specialist and senior microbiologist at EPCOR Water for ten years. She completed her PhD in Environmental Microbiology at UBC and her MSc degrees at the Harvard School of Public Health and Dalhousie University. She serves as the Water Environment Federation’s Community Leadership Council chair and lends her expertise to the editorial boards of Science of the Total Environment, Water Practice and Technology, and Data in Brief.

She lives in beautiful Esquimalt British Columbia and loves playing Dungeons and Dragons with her thirteen year-old daughter and her husband.

Jenna Van Dusen (she/her)

iWIST Director | Marketing Director, Forge Technical Solutions

Jenna is an experienced marketing professional with over a decade of experience in STEM industries. Currently leading marketing efforts as Marketing Director at FORGE TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS, a local digital and technical agency, she specializes in crafting campaigns that drive brand awareness and engagement.

With a passion for empowering women, Jenna has a proven track record of building strong communities and impactful projects.

Her previous role at Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. involved leading influencer advisory boards and creating initiatives that empowered women, fostering a sense of belonging and driving engagement. Jenna is skilled in developing peer mentor programs and crafting compelling brand ambassador stories, inspiring others and building community.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Jenna enjoys practicing yoga, wreath making, cooking, gardening, hiking, event planning, and singing.