2020 Virtual Women in Math Celebration

This very special component aims to showcase the interesting (and topical) research of Prof. Layton, the research strengths in the Faculty (and Waterloo), and the important contributions and voice of women in research, both for themselves and for the greater good of the industry. 

Host: Prof. Charmaine Dean, VP, Research and International; leadership on 20 Boards of Directors related to research initiatives at Waterloo; advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion in research; and Faculty of Mathematics 2007 Alumni Achievement Award Medalist.

Presenter: Prof. Anita Layton, Associate Dean, Research and International, Faculty of Mathematics; Chair, Research Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council at the University of Waterloo.

This important panel discussion will showcase women’s growing influence as drivers of change through gifts of their time, talent, treasure and testimony.

As women’s economic power continues to evolve, they have emerged onto the charitable landscape full of passion for a multitude of causes. They are taking action to deal with some of the most pressing societal and global issues of our time, be they social, economic, or environmental. They are giving their time and talent as board members, community organizers, and committee members, etc. They are using their networks and voices to galvanize support for issues they care about. And, they are giving philanthropically to causes they believe in.

Join us to hear firsthand experiences and reflections from this unique group of women. Learn how they discovered their own path to giving, identified their personal values and charitable focuses, reaped the rewards of learning from others along the way, grew and found fulfillment through giving, created balance in their lives and are now challenging the next generation of women game changers.

This discussion aims to inspire and bolster community leaders – seasoned or aspiring – to consider the potential of their own impact big and small.

Moderator: Jeannie Sager, Director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Panelists:

Joyce Sinclair, B.Math. 1976, C&O

Sherry Shannon Vanstone,Honorary Doctorate of Laws ‘19, WesternUniversity

Julie Lassonde,MBA, Brown University and IE University

Ann Marie Canning, culturalpreneur and gender empowerment philanthropist

This very special panel aims to share knowledge and expertise from business leaders that will help alumnae and students respond to today’s evolving business landscape, and advance and flourish in their careers. From practical tips to innovative strategies, this panel would be of great interest to our audience. Topics could include: exerting influence, authentic executive presence, building resilience, or the importance of networking.

Moderator: Dora Vell, CEO of Vell Executive Search, Boston, USA

Panelists:

Susan Heystee, Board Member, Investor, Advisor, CRO, and Managing Director at Golden Seeds

Carolyn Schuetz, Global Chief Operating Officer, Group Retail Banking & Wealth Management at HSBC Holdings. London, UK

Amelie Belanger, PhD, Director, Global Analytics & Financial Engineering, Global Banking and Markets, Scotiabank. Toronto, Canada

Vanna Krantz, Chief Financial Officer, Disney Streaming Services at The Walt Disney Company

Faculty of Mathematics’ alumni, students, faculty and partners have created or are in the process of creating hundreds of companies, thousands of jobs and even entirely new industries. And, they are driving change within organizations too, as intrapreneurs. Innovation is in their blood. 

Women face unique challenges in the business but they also add unique value and perspective. This session will be a rare and exclusive glimpse into their journeys, how they overcame movements of self-doubt and bias, how they leveraged creativity to solve problems and overcome hurdles, the importance of social-good or purpose and how their background in mathematics and computing has been an advantage in their innovative journey.

Hear about how innovation happens at Waterloo and how these entrepreneurial women are contributing to greater economic and social prosperity, here and around the globe. Prepare to experience astounding success stories, painful defeats and gritty triumphs of our amazing female entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs.

Moderator: Paul Salvini, CEO of Canada's top-ranked private business accelerator and Top 5 in the World; Math grad; involved in #BMOforWomen

Panelists:

Sherry Vanstone, CEO & Founder, Profound Impact, 2020 Woman of the Year – Entrepreneurship

Joanne McKinley, Google Engineer (Intrapreneur), 2020 Graham Medalist for innovation and entrepreneurship (& Google Accelerator)

Natalie Gordon, Founder and CEO of Babylist, San Fransico,USA

Zaham Mustaq, Co-Founder, Founders Camp, Toronto 

Mathematics, statistics, computational sciences and artificial intelligence are playing a key role in the assessing transmission risk, predicting outbreak trajectories and evaluate the effectiveness of countermeasures to control the virus. This session will touch on how various mathematical branches are critical in the on-going effort to manage the spread of COVID-19.

Moderator: Ghazal Geshnizjani, PhD, Brown University, Research Associate Professor, Mathematical Physics & Chair, Women in Math; Affiliate Faculty member & PSI Fellow, Perimeter Institute

Panelists:

Patricia Gauthier, Senior Manager at Magellan Consulting - GDPR Consultancy, External DPO Services, Cybersecurity, IT Security, Safety

Debbie Leung,University Research Chair at the Institute for Quantum Computing & Department of Combinatorics and Optimization; Affiliate Faculty member, Perimeter Institute

Xi He,Assistant Professor, Cheriton School of Computer Science (Has a COVID research project)

Director: George Csicsery 

Filmed in Canada, Iran, and the United States, Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani examines the life and mathematical work of Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian immigrant to the United States who became a superstar in her field.

In 2014, she was both the first woman and the first Iranian to be honored by mathematics' highest prize, the Fields Medal. Mirzakhani's contributions are explained by leading mathematicians and illustrated by animated sequences. Her mathematical colleagues from around the world, as well as former teachers, classmates, and students in Iran today, convey the deep impact of her achievements.

The path of her education, success on Iran's Math Olympiad team, and her brilliant work, make Mirzakhani an ideal role model for girls looking toward careers in science and mathematics.

You will receive a link to the virtual screening on May 12th if you register for this event today!