STEM Q&A 2022

Jessica Potts

Jessica Potts is a speaker, trainer, strategist and author who helps leaders build their dream teams and live their best day ever everyday. She leverages her qualifications as a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and LUMA Certified Facilitator in her role as president of Inspired Strategy Group Inc. With expertise in human/soft skills development including leadership and communication, Jessica helps people get on the same page and get things done while having fun. Her approach is rooted in positive psychology and strengths-based development - maximizing potential by encouraging people to become great at what they’re naturally good at.

Connor Murphy

Electrical EIT, Hatch Ltd

Connor Murphy is an Electrical Engineer-in-Training (EIT) at Hatch Ltd. Whether he’s participating in sports, volunteering for local events, or designing solar farms and substations, Connor strives for success in all that he does. Connor’s path to becoming an engineer was unique: He started his university career by transferring from Western University to Niagara College (NC), where he completed an Electrical Engineering Technology (Co-op) Diploma. After earning his diploma, Connor continued on to Lakehead University, via the College Transfer Program, and obtained a B.Eng in Electrical Engineering. Currently, Connor is a part of several Hatch Committees and groups including: the Quality Committee, Fire Marshalls, Social Committee, and Young Engineers in Water Power.

Cameron DiPietro

Project Manager – Waste and Wastewater Engineering, Niagara Region

Accomplished Chemical Engineering graduate with 10 years of experience in Chemical Process Design Engineering, Operations of a Chemical Plant, Civil, Marine and Water & Wastewater Engineering. Experienced project manager adept at coordinating and delivering projects efficiently and effectively. Accomplished operations engineer, process designer and construction project engineer and project manager. Fully trained in the use of AutoCAD, with proven experience in cost estimation and process control systems operation & design. Proficient communicator and team player with the demonstrated ability to manage customer-client relationships.

Michael Takla

Grid Connection Design Team Lead, Ontario Power Generation

A young energy professional focused in the field of electrical engineering. I have spent the last 4 years working on upgrading electrical, control and communication systems within hydroelectric plants around the province, especially OPG owned plants in the Niagara region. I have just recently stepped into the nuclear energy world but still focused on high voltage electrical equipment.

Anik Masfiqur

Energy Market Coordinator Ontario Power Generation

Anik started his professional career building renewable infrastructures including hydroelectric generating stations, dams and transmission lines across Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2017, he relocated to Ontario and joined OPG’s Station Engineering department, later moving to Central Engineering at Niagara-on-the Lake, where he served as an internal consultant to OPG’s regional engineering and operations groups. In 2021, he joined OPG’s Energy Markets department at Downtown Toronto, where he is involved in the day-to-day Operational Optimization and Strategy of OPG’s Hydroelectric fleet (7,478 MW), providing clean energy to over 3 million homes.

Anik holds a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland. He is also an appointed member of the World Energy Council’s Future Energy Leader program and serves as the Vice-Chair at the Canadian Dam Association’s Young Professionals committee. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer and a PMI Certified Project Management Professional.

Haris Saleem

Geotechnical Engineer, Ontario Power Generation

Haris is a Geotechnical Engineer with OPG’s Central Engineering’s Civil Group. He has developed his skills in hydroelectric sector by participating in Dam Safety work and in close-out phase of a new hydroelectric power plant. He is currently supporting government of Ontario’s initiative to study new hydroelectric opportunities in Northern Ontario. In this role, he is working in a multidisciplinary team of lawyers, Indigenous relations and finance. Haris has a BEng. in Civil Engineering from Ryerson University. In his free time, he likes watching classic films and working on his project race car.

Carling MacDonald

Environmental Scientist, Hatch Ltd

Carling is an Environmental Scientist with Hatch’s Environmental Services Group with post-secondary education in a variety of fields, including a Bachelor in Environmental Studies completed at Trent University, as well as two post-graduate certificates in Commercial Cannabis Production (Niagara College) and Environmental Planning (Fleming College). Carling has experience with reviewing environmental regulations, environmental permitting, environmental and social impact analysis, and greenhouse gas reporting. Carling also has a love for botany and gardening, and is skilled in plant identification and assessing the ecological impacts of different projects. Carling has experience working on various hydropower, transit, infrastructure, and mining projects across the world, including projects in the United States, Canada, South America, and Central America.

Valentina Escobar

Environmental Scientist, Hatch Ltd

Valentina is a Junior Environmental Scientist with experience in data-based technical writing, regulatory compliance auditing and environmental assessments. The majority of her experience lies within regulatory and compliance auditing, risk management, training, standard operations and policy creation. Valentina has experience in the private and public Waste Management sector via outreach, education, auditing, and by-law monitoring/reporting. She also has 3+ years of experience in the Cannabis Sector regarding compliance and Quality Control/Quality Assurance. Furthermore, Valentina has contributed to various biota inventory, naturalization projects, avian inventory and breeding pattern inventory lead by Institutions and Conservation Authorities.

Annies Philip

Nurse (RPN) / RN Student, Niagara Health and Care Canada

I did my Practical Nursing through Niagara College and worked in Niagara Health in the last 4 years. Currently I am also enrolled in Mcmaster University for the Bridging to BScN program. I have also been working with Care Canada Staffing Agency. Nursing is such an amazing profession that have so many opportunities and wide range of work environment.

Samantha Sielicki

Medical Laboratory Technologist, Niagara Health and Hamilton Health Sciences

The majority of decisions for patient diagnosis and treatment are based on laboratory test results. As a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) my job is to analyze and interpret test results while ensuring accuracy and investigating any discrepant findings. The most common and routine sample collected is blood, but we also analyze body fluids, cells and tissues. We work with doctors and nurses in choosing correct lab tests and ensuring proper collection methods in order to receive the optimal sample. On average nearly half a million lab tests are done in Ontario each day. It is a great profession for anyone that wants to be in the healthcare field but doesn’t want to be in direct contact with patients. And what I love most, every single day is different.

Shannon Fernandes

Climate Change Coordinator, Town of Lincoln

Shannon Fernandes is the Climate Change Coordinator at the Town of Lincoln, focusing on building a more resilient Lincoln through developing and implementing a climate change adaptation plan. Shannon has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Environmental Studies in Sustainability Management from the University of Waterloo, and experience in environmental consulting, community outreach, and sustainable supply chain management. She loves teaching students about climate change and hiking with her dog.

Julianna Villella

GIS Analyst, Hatch Ltd

Julianna Villella is a GIS Analyst and Environmental Scientist with extensive schooling in statistical and spatial analysis and biological sciences. She has an Honour’s Bachelor degree in Mathematics and Biology and through additional schooling obtained a Post Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information (GIS) Systems. She is currently completing a diploma as a Civil Engineering Technician.As a GIS Analyst, she has experience working with projects that involve updating and maintenance of geospatial information, spatial analysis, 3D modelling, raster analysis and geoprocessing. Julianna has experience with Web Mapping and creating and customizing applications through the ArcGIS Portal as well as using ArcGIS Online. She is competent is automating processes using Python and customizing applications in JavaScript. As an Environmental Scientist, Julianna has been part of several dam replacement projects as well as a large scale fish habitat compensation project in Northeastern Ontario that combined for over 30 ha of compensation per DFO Fisheries Act Authorizations. She has experience in gill netting as well as operating and assisting in electrofishing activities. She has experience performing species amphibian and anuran breeding surveys as well as targeted herptofauna and aquatic species at risk surveys in accordance with the latest protocol.

Nick Armstrong

Quality Control Coordinator, Rankin

Nick Armstrong is recent graduate from Mohawk College where he took a 3 year Advanced Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology. Armstrong has been involved in the heavy civil construction industry since the age of fifteen while under the supervision of his father, Roger Armstrong, whom is Rankin Construction’s Senior Structures Estimator. From the age of fifteen to seventeen, Armstrong worked in office as a student in the Estimating Department. At the age of eighteen, Armstrong was given the opportunity to work in the field as a Quality Control Technician/Coordinator, a role in which he continues to occupy. He has been involved in five MTO projects, some of which include bridge rehabilitation on Highway 406 and concrete patches on Highway 405. Armstrong’s most recent project is a current twin bridge replacement design build on the QEW over the Welland River. He is described by members of his team as dedicated, hard-working, innovative and highly trusted.

Stephanie McGill

Project Manager – Water and Wastewater Engineering, Niagara Region

Graduate from Mohawk College in Civil Engineering Technology with 5+ years of municipal water and wastewater engineering experience. Currently completing courses at McMaster University for the Civil Infrastructure Engineering B.Tech program. Experienced construction services inspector, contract administrator and project manager with Niagara Region. Trained in the use of AutoCAD and AutoCAD Civil 3D for engineering drawings. Works with solutions based and team-oriented approach to problems.

Dan Bordenave

CEO, Spark Innovation Educational Center

Dan Bordenave a bachelors of kinesiology and masters of science graduate both from Brock University. Dan is also the founder of a medical device company called Bisep and is also the CEO for Spark Innovation Educational Centre, a business incubator and tech hub in Niagara Falls.

Agusia Krzywinska

President & Tech Director, Adjective Noun Studios

Agusia Krzywinska currently works for A-Game Studios as a Junior Software Developer. In the past, she worked for Phantom Compass as a Quality Assurance Tester and Junior Programmer and Brock University teaching programming. She graduated from Brock University in Spring 2020 and started Adjective Noun Studios, a mobile game company that focuses on bringing high-quality games to mobile platforms, without microtransactions, ads, loot boxes, or subscriptions. Where she works on the more technical aspects of making games.

Bryan Haakman

Senior Industry Analyst (Corporate Development), CBC/Radio-Canada

Bryan is currently working at CBC/Radio-Canada in Corporate Development, his role is focused on developing analytics tools for executives, leading strategic data initiatives, and supporting on corporate strategy mandates. He has previous experience at technology startup and venture capital investments. He graduated from the Goodman School of Business at Brock University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Minor in Applied Computing.

Brandon Lostracco

Physics and Math Teacher at Lakeshore Catholic High School, Niagara Catholic District School Board

Hey Everyone, My name is Brandon Lostracco and I teach Math and Science at Lakeshore Catholic High School in Port Colbourne. I did my undergrad at Brock University where I obtained my Bachelor of Science Honours in Physics. I then completed my Bachelor of Education for the Intermediate/Senior division (Grades 7-12) with Physics and Math as my teachable subjects. For fun I love to Golf and do the daily Wordle.

Evan Sitler-Bates

Co-Founder & CEO, XpertVR

Hi, my name is Evan Sitler-Bates, I am a co-founder of XpertVR. A company on a mission of helping 1 million people learn from actions, not statements. For the past 5 years, we have used virtual reality to empower the simulations that make this mission possible. Outside of work, I am a huge nerd, always up-to-date on anything Marvel or Star Wars, plus big into VR gaming (won the Population One Community Cup last summer) and can't get enough of the NFT/Crypto community.