Power list includes UWaterloo women in STEM

Three accomplished women with strong ties to the University of Waterloo and careers in STEM fields were named to a list of the most powerful women in Canada.

The Women’s Executive Network (WXN) recently released 2024 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners, and a Waterloo educator and researcher and two alumni appear on the list that recognizes women across Canada for their leadership and impact.

“Through transformational research, experiential education and entrepreneurship, the University of Waterloo is committed to finding future-focused solutions and training our students to be leaders in careers with tremendous impact,” says Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo. “I’m so pleased to see these three women acknowledged for their impactful work and the inspiration they provide to others. Congratulations to them and everyone honoured.”

Dr. Andrea Edginton is the Hallman director of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Waterloo. In addition to leading Canada’s most innovative pharmacy school, she is a professor and researcher who studies how the body interacts with medications with application in personalized medicine. Dr. Edginton is recognized in the Executive Leaders category, for women who exemplify leadership in their organizations and communities and knock down barriers for the next generation of leaders.

“Being a leader brings me the greatest joy when I can remove barriers to others' success and encourage them to make their desired impact," Edginton says. "Thank you to the Women’s Executive Network for honouring me alongside such outstanding women.”

WXN recognized Dr. Danielle Paes (BScPhm ’2014, PharmD ’18) in its Professionals category, for women who are professionals in practice and are leaders within their organizations. She has two degrees in pharmacy from Waterloo — a Bachelor of Science (Pharm) and a Doctor of Pharmacy — and is the chief pharmacist officer at the Canadian Pharmacists Association.

Dr. Atty Mashatan (MMath ’03, PhD ’09), earned her master’s and PhD in combinatorics and optimization from Waterloo. She is an expert in cryptography and the founding director of the Cybersecurity Research Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University. Mashatan is named in the BMO STEM category, which honours women who use their knowledge and skill to improve people’s lives and help create better representation in STEM sectors.

The Top 100 Awards recognize leaders in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. WXN's Diversity Council of Canada selects honourees in 12 categories. The awards will be presented at a gala at a later date.