Advisory Board and Committees
Advisory Board
WISEST is an associated unit of the Office of the Dean of Students and is affiliated with the Career Centre. Our programs and initiatives are guided by an Advisory Volunteer Board led by an Academic Co-Chair and Industry Co-Chair. The WISEST board consists of scientists, engineers, scholars, educators, and STEM students from the University of Alberta, industry, and the larger community. Under the direction of the Advisory Board, various committees oversee specific aspects of WISEST and our goals.
Current Advisory Board Members
Name: Sandra Renihan
Position: Industry Co-Chair
Current work title: Associate (Structural Engineering) at DIALOG
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity? Participated as a student in Choices 1999, Volunteered on the Program Committee from 2016 (I think?) – 2018, Volunteered on External Relations Committee (previously Fundraising Committee) from 2017-2023, Presently, External Relations Committee Lead, Have also volunteered as an industry mentor and activity lead for various SRPs and Choices Conferences!
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST this year: I’m excited to work with a diverse group to people to help strategize about how we can better support, strengthen, and finance WISEST to keep breaking down barriers for women and other underrepresented groups in STEM.
One fun fact about you: I’ve taken up golf over the past five years and now really enjoy playing!
Name: Lisa Willis
Position: Academic Co-Chair
Current Work Title: Assistant Professor at UAlberta
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity? 4 years as an Advisory Board member
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST: Working with the Board, Committees, and Staff to ensure the sustainability of WISEST for another 40 years.
One fun fact about you: I like to sing, read, and cook
Name: Gillian Thomson
Current work title: Inventor, Skipper
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity: Since September 2022 - Advisory Board Member and External Relations Committee Member
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST this year: My favourite part of WISEST involvement is being able to interact with young minds and show them living proof of a non-linear career path that can start in STEM and take you in a variety of places.
One fun fact about you: I'm a Red Seal Journeyman! My part-time job through school was in a hair salon, where I earned my hairstyling license.
Name: Tian Tang
Position: Past Academic Co-Chair
Current work title: Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta
What motivated you to join the WISEST board: Growing up as a girl who loved math and physics, I always felt the lack of opportunities to know what I could do in the future and what I might excel in. This is why I became a WISEST volunteer role model in 2010 and started my interaction with young girls who were wondering about the same as I did. The pleasant and rewarding experiences I had with the WISEST programs encouraged me to join the WISEST Board in 2017.
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST this year: The WISEST Board is rolling out a new 5-year strategic plan. I am very excited about the implementation of this plan, as we strategize our programming to meet the growing needs of students.
One fun fact about you: I enjoy drawing Chinese paintings and practicing traditional Chinese dance. I am improving my ski skills in the Rocky Mountains.
Name: Lisa White
Position: Past Industry Co-Chair
Current Work Title: Industrial Professor at UAlberta
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity: I have been involved with WISEST since 2014, where I first attended the golf tournament and shortly thereafter and the industrial co-Chair.
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a co-chair of the communications committee: As the Lead of the newly formed External Relations Committee, I'm looking forward to developing new champions and ambassadors for WISEST and hosting events to help raise funds for the group.
One fun fact about you: I enjoy horseback riding and love showing my four-year-old Morgan-Arabian cross (Pete!) in English performance classes.
Name: Jenna Evanchuk
Current work title: MD student at the University of Calgary (Class of 2026)
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity: Being my first year as a WiSER co-chair, this is also my first year of officially being part of the WISEST board, however, I had the opportunity to shadow our outgoing co-chairs at meetings last year. The other WiSER co-chair, Angelle, and I are liaisons between WiSER and WISEST.
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST this year: I look forward to continuing to strengthen the connection between WiSER and WISEST so that we can both expand our capacity to advocate for and promote accessible, safe and empowering spaces for the populations we serve.
One fun fact about you: I began knitting when I was 6 years old and recently taught myself how to crochet. I've made hats, scarves, purses, dishcloths and flowers!
Name: Blessie Matthew
Current work title: Director, Career Center and Experiential Learning
What motivated you to join the WISEST board: I sit on the WISEST Board as a representative from the Office of the Dean of Students (DoS). I am proud to say that WISEST falls under my portfolio and I work very closely with the Team Lead of WISEST providing operational and administrative support.
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST this year: The staff team at WISEST has grown over the last couple of years and I am excited to see the amazing things they will accomplish.
One fun fact about you: I have worked at the U of A for 27 years and I love my job.
Name: Anita Parker
Current work title: Lead Educational Developer, Online and Hybrid Instruction & Strategy
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity: I am new to the WISEST and the Advisory Board, as of Fall 2023
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST this year: I am so keen to learn more about WISEST's programs and contribute as I am able to the organizational impact on female and gender-diverse students seeking STEM-related careers. My interest in WISEST began in the mid-1990s when Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour visited one of my undergrad Science classes and told her story of how baking sparked her interest in chemistry.
One fact about you: I bake cookies almost every day. My family eats a lot of cookies.
Name: Nancy Manchak
Current Work Title: Senior Engineer at ATCO
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity: I have been involved with WISEST since 2008 when I was a Summer Research Program Participant and worked in a Mining Engineering Lab at the U of A. During my undergrad, I joined the WISEST Program Committee and then the WISEST Board in 2016 as the Golf Tournament Committee Chair. Most recently, I co-chaired the first-ever WISEST Communications Committee. I am also a publicly elected University of Alberta Senator and love sharing my passion for both WISEST and the University of Alberta more broadly within the community.
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a co-chair of the communications committee: WISEST has been pivotal to my career as an engineer and I am looking forward to providing strategic input to support the organization's future development, as well as sharing WISEST more broadly in the community.
One fun fact about you: With my engineering career to date, I have worked north of the 60th parallel and south of the 49th parallel - all while in Canada!
Name: Angie Stokes
Current Work Title: UA-WiSE Black Tie Affair Co-chair
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity: I’ve been working with UA-WiSE since 2022 where I was a part of the volunteer committee on the video and media team. I got elected into the position of BTA Co-Chair in May 2023.
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST: I am looking forward to expanding UA-WiSE and hosting our club’s largest event of the year the Black Tie Affair.
One fun fact about you: A fun fact about me is in my very first year of university, I spent my summer studying abroad in Grenoble, France.
Name: Heather Bruce
Current work title: Professor Carcass and Meat Science
What motivated you to join the WISEST board: I really want to be able to make a difference for female and non-binary students wishing to pursue a career in the STEM fields.
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST this year: Learning more about WISEST and its affiliates, and making a difference.
One fun fact about you: I was a 4-H kid that grew up on a purebred Hereford farm in Ontario, and I love cows.
Name: Angelle Britton
Current work title: PhD Candidate and Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta.
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity: I have been a representative for WiSER on the WISEST Advisory Board since May of 2023. However, I have been involved in the WiSER network since May of 2021.
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST this year: I am very grateful for my position on the WISEST Advisory Board, and I am looking forward to continuing the long-standing relationship between WISEST and WiSER.
One fun fact about you: I was shown as a member of an audience in a documentary about Women in STEM on Netflix!
Name: Zowie Biever
Current work title: UA-WiSE Mentorship Co-Chair
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity: I have been on the WISEST board since May, and I have also volunteered at both the Choices and Set Conferences in 2022/2023. I also attended the SET conference myself when I was in grade 11.
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST this year: I am excited about getting to meet the young women and gender diverse individuals that attend the events that WISEST puts on, and see the change the board is making in real time.
One fun fact about you: One fun fact about me is that I have a cat whose name is Chai!
Name: Andrew Volk
Current work title: Psychiatry resident physician at the University of Alberta and a non-practicing professional chemical engineer
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity: Andrew joined the WISEST board in September 2023.
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST this year: hopes to build partnerships between WISEST, IMDSA, and Wapanchakos to facilitate narrative shifting mentorship and opportunities that fosters a sense of belonging for 2SLGBTQ First Nation, Inuit, and Métis students.I am excited about getting to meet the young women and gender diverse individuals that attend the events that WISEST puts on, and see the change the board is making in real time.
One fun fact about you: One of Andrew's proudest collaborations is co-founding the Indigenous Medical and Dental Students' Association, the first of its kind in Canada.
Name: Adana Mahase-Gibson
Current work title: Project Management Consultant/Veterinarian, working in International Development, with international and regional development agencies
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity: 1 year
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST this year: Everything! WISEST brings me excitement and joy. I am thrilled to be working with like-minded people at WISEST who are in the business of creating inclusive spaces and striving for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM.
One fun fact about you: I speak dog and a little cat, which comes in very handy
Name: Rebecca Keeler
Current work title: Teacher
How long have you been with WISEST and in what capacity: 1 year since September 2022. I am currently on the Strategic Planning and Evaluation Committee
What are you looking forward to/excited about as a board member of WISEST this year: I am excited to delve into the amazing programs that WISEST offers and try to find areas for new opportunities.
One fun fact about you: I love tea! I always try to find new and interesting teas to try. Tea and reading a good book is my favorite relaxing activity.
The WISEST Advisory Board is supported by Standing and AdHoc committees including:
Strategic Programming and Evaluation Committee: This committee consists of a variety of educators and content experts who will, through discrete projects, assist the WISEST staff team with the strategic improvement of programs and exploring evidence-based solutions to support outreach and programming. Candidates must commit to at least a one-year term starting in September and be able to attend quarterly meetings plus commit to project meetings/work in between committee meetings (approximately 5 hours per month). Meetings will be in-person but will allow for remote participation if needed.
External Relations Committee: This committee assists with external relations activities including fundraising, corporate engagement, and developing WISEST Ambassadors to achieve WISEST’s objectives including fundraising, funding diversification, and networking. Skills/experience in communications, advocacy, and corporate fundraising are an asset. Candidates must commit to at least a one-year term starting in September and be able to attend bi-monthly meetings plus commit to project meetings/work in between committee meetings (approximately 3 hours per month). Meetings are generally virtual over lunch.
Promotions and Recognitions Committee: This committee assists with promoting and recognizing members of the WISEST team, networks, and volunteers. Nominates WISEST staff, volunteers, and the organization for awards and recognitions to elevate brand awareness in the broader community. Projects also include volunteer appreciation activities. Candidates must commit to at least a one-year term starting in September and be able to attend bi-monthly meetings plus commit to project meetings/work in between committee meetings (approximately 3 hours per month). Meetings generally take place virtually.
Communications Committee (AdHoc): Currently inactive, this committee assists with strategic communications to achieve WISEST’s objectives, including audience identification, communication plan development, and execution.
Succession Planning Committee (AdHoc): Populated by members of the advisory board, this committee meets as needed to succession plan and recruit for pending vacancies on the WISEST Advisory board and committees.