There is a new Dean of Engineering at the University of Waterloo and we want you to meet her!
You’re invited to a virtual fireside chat with Dean Mary A. Wells, who will share her vision of bold collaboration for the Faculty of Engineering for the next four years with you and your engineering classmates.
Dean Wells will highlight key areas including how current engineering students are learning online as we respond to COVID-19; an update on co-op work terms; the Faculty’s main research thrusts as well as our efforts to combat COVID-19 such as developing a vaccine; and her strategy for the future of engineering education. You can virtually meet the Dean of Engineering during this alumni event and you will have the opportunity to ask her questions.
Your co-hosts of this exclusive fireside chat are Anita Rossall (BASc 1984, Civil Engineering), Director at The51, and John Rossall (BASc 1984, Chemical Engineering), Corporate Director at Peyto Exploration & Development Corp. Part of the fireside chat will be centered around tech and innovation in the energy and oil sands sector in Canada as well as what Waterloo Engineering’s work looks like in terms of research, alumni, students and employers in this area.
A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent to those who register.
Prior to his retirement, John had a diverse career in the oil & gas industry, with experience in senior management and engineering roles in companies ranging from small start-up ventures to vertically integrated multinationals.
John is currently a director of Peyto Exploration & Development and Pipestone Energy; and is the Vice-Chair of the United Way of Calgary and Area.
Before retiring in 2018, John was the Executive Director, North America at Repsol SA, the Spanish based international oil and gas company. Prior to the acquisition of Talisman Energy by Repsol he led Talisman’s Canadian oil and gas business. Earlier in his career, he was the CEO of ProspEx Resources, a TSX listed “startup” oil and gas company; a senior executive at Burlington Resources Canada; and manager of the Deep Basin Business Unit at Canadian Hunter Exploration. He began his career in a succession of engineering roles at Petro-Canada.
John graduated from Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo in 1984, and later attended the Harvard Business School.
Anita holds a BASc. (civil engineering) from the University of Waterloo. She is a life-long supporter of science and engineering, with 20+ years wide-ranging experience in the energy sector and business consulting. Additionally, she has 45+ years-experience in not-for-profit, both as a volunteer and a board executive. As a recipient of many awards and honors for mentorship, leadership and STEAM outreach from universities, science outreach organizations and APEGA, she has consistently demonstrated her devotion to the promotion and understanding of STEAM and how science literacy leads to career opportunities, especially for women.
She currently sits on a University of Alberta external advisory committee for DiscoverE and is an advisor for Calgary based The 51 Ventures Inc. and a director and board chair of The51, a non-profit, which aims to democratize female capital by creating a critical mass of knowledgeable, accredited women ready to invest in female lead new ventures.