Science & Technology Awards

MELODY ADHAMI

Chief Executive Officer HAVAS CANADA

BIO: In 2007, Melody Adhami co-founded Plastic Mobile, Canada’s leading mobile marketing agency, which has built more than 250 mobile apps that have garnered more than $1 billion in revenue for its clients. In 2015, Melody led Plastic Mobile through its acquisition by Havas, one of the world’s largest communications groups. In 2019, Melody was appointed CEO of Havas’ Canadian operations, where she has led the agency to become one of Canada’s leading digital experience consultancies. This is Melody’s second Top 100 win, previously receiving the honour in 2018.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: The first “no” is just a suggestion.

ON BEING DESCRIBED AS POWERFUL: This word really resonates with me as I firmly believe that everyone is powerful and has the ability to make a difference. This is what drove me to make a change. When I first started out I was in a cubicle at Procter and Gamble. I took a look around me and thought to myself I could be making a bigger impact.

LEAH LAWRENCE

President and

Chief Executive Officer SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGY CANADA

BIO: Leah Lawrence leads Canada’s largest funder of cleantech startups. Since 2015, she has transformed the organization, making it a champion for young companies, educating them on the importance of intellectual property, data and scale-up strategies, and helping them to navigate a globally competitive sector. In 2019, Leah was recognized by The Globe and Mail as one of a new generation of leaders who are changing the face of business in Canada.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: Don’t confuse activity with achievement.

SUCCESS IS: Making a difference everyday.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: Be courageous. Never settle. Resist dogma. Follow your curiosity and intuition. Don’t be afraid to fail, and when you inevitably do, try and do it graciously.

DR. FOTEINI AGRAFIOTI

Chief Science Officer

RBC

Head

BOREALIS AI

BIO: Dr. Foteini Agrafioti is responsible for RBC’s intellectual property portfolio in the fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning. She also invented HeartID, the first biometric technology to authenticate users based on their unique cardiac rhythms. She is a TED speaker and serves on the editorial review boards of several scientific journals and was named “Inventor of the Year” in 2012 and one of Canada’s “Top 40 Under 40” for 2017.

DR. CAROLINE QUACH

M.D., FRCPC

CHU SAINTE-JUSTINE

BIO: Dr. Caroline Quach is a professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Université de Montréal, Medical Advisor for Infection Prevention & Control, with expertise in understanding and preventing health-care-associated and vaccine preventable infections in vulnerable populations. Her multidisciplinary research brings together scientists, engineers, anthropologists, clinicians and epidemiologists, leading to 125 peer-reviewed publications, more than 100 presentations and more than 225 media requests. She is the current chair of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, past-president of the Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease and has been recognized for the training promising young scientists.

POWER SONG: “L’âme à la tendresse” by Pauline Julien.

DR. CHRISTINE CHAMBERS

Killam Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology & Neuroscience; Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Children’s Pain; Scientific Director, Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY

BIO: Dr. Christine Chambers is passionate about improving the lives of children and their families through health research. She has published more than 150 articles in scientific journals and is one of the top 10 most productive women clinical psychology professors in Canada. Her award-winning #ItDoesntHaveToHurt initiative for parents generated 150 million views worldwide, trended on social media and was featured in national and international media. She is a leader and innovator in patient engagement and mobilization of health research.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: The power of having a dream. From a very young age I had a vision for the kind of career I wanted and the impact I wanted to have on the world (focused on children and families). It was this focus and dream that made it possible for me to persist through challenging times, with determination and energy.

DR. ALLISON SEKULER

Sandra A. Rotman Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience and Vice President Research

BAYCREST HEALTH SCIENCES; MCMASTER UNIVERSITY Professor

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

BIO: As Sandra A. Rotman Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience and Baycrest’s Vice-President Research, Dr. Allison Sekuler leads the Rotman Research Institute, one of world’s leading aging and neuroscience research institutes, and the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation, a $124 million solution accelerator helping entrepreneurs succeed and older adults live longer and live better. Known for her seminal research in vision, cognition and aging, she is a passionate advocate for women and other under-represented groups in science, technology and innovation.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: If you don’t invite yourself to sit at the table, nobody else will.

ON BEING DESCRIBED AS POWERFUL: I feel inspired to do even more to recognize, support, and raise up women and other under-represented groups in science, technology, and innovation.

Recognizing women in STEM roles who are challenging the status quo for knowledge and female empowerment

YASEMIN SEZER

Head, Technology & Operations

LTI CANADA

BIO: Yasemin Sezer immigrated to Canada 30 years ago when she restarted her career as a system analyst. She progressed step by step to CTO level focusing on the banking, insurance and wealth management industries. She is a Board Director at CIO Association of Canada and an influential member on various technology advisory committees. She pioneered Women4Women in her company and organized many events supporting career progression for women in technology.

SUCCESS IS: Has to be clear and visible in measurable results.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: Don’t wait for others to recognize your potential and skills. Present yourself and your strength at every opportunity to be noticed. Humility and integrity are very important, however, you also need to market yourself.

SARAH SUN

Chief Data Strategist GOLDSPOT DISCOVERIES CORP.

BIO: Sarah Sun’s experience covers data science, data governance, monetization, innovation and strategy. Beginning with the financial industry, Sarah drives innovation in data by breaking down barriers across organizations. Now at GoldSpot, she is focused on driving value through AI for the mining industry. Passionate about STEM, Sarah also coaches students in mathematics and has served as deputy leader for Math Team Canada at the International Mathematics Olympiad, as well as the All Girls Math Team Canada.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: Being smart only gets you 10 per cent, the rest is hard work.

SUCCESS IS: Pursuit of my passions, while being authentic and true to myself.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: Never be closed to a new idea or opportunity.

POWER SONG: “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.