2012 Nominees - Science, Research & Innovation
Brenda Bailey-Gershkovitch and Kirsten Forbes
As the founders of Silicon Sisters, the first female-owned and -operated video game studio in Canada, Brenda and Kirsten endeavour to close the technology gender gap – one satisfied female gamer at a time. As two of only a handful of high-level females in the video game industry, they act on their belief that women and girls should have access to quality products with as much variety and compelling stories as games built for men and boys. They have produced games that resonate with women and girls while leveraging the latest research on how they learn, play and interact with technology. Highly respected in their industry, Kirsten is a sought-after speaker and consultant and Brenda an acclaimed mentor in the Women in Games online mentorship program.
Conecting the Community Quote:
“Though it's easy to pillory videogames as being responsible for some ill effects on today's youth, at Silicon Sisters we've seen otherwise. Games can be a safe world in which to practice and rehearse skills that might otherwise be too stressful - from making friends to challenging the status quo to allowing yourself to fail and see the consequences. Silicon Sisters supports healthy choices for youth.”
Iona Fisher
As a senior project manager with MacDonald, Detwiller and Associates (MDA), Iona successfully led a team of engineers through Polar Epsilon, a complex, multi-million dollar project for the Canadian Department of National Defence. Polar Epsilon supports Canadian sovereignty, security and operations by providing the Canadian Forces with innovative satellite surveillance capabilities for Canada’s Arctic and its ocean approaches. Iona’s determination to succeed and the results that she achieved have secured the project as a benchmark of Canadian technological innovation and excellence. Iona is a respected mentor and colleague who encourages young women to embark on careers in technology and who is regularly sought after for career advice.
Conecting the Community Quote:
“I am inspired by the generation of young adults just entering the work force. The choices and challenges facing them are enormous but I see engaged, enthusiastic, creative and capable people figuring it out. We need to continue that tradition by making sure there are opportunities for the following generation to find their way in the world. I’m supporting the healthy choices for youth programs.”
Patricia Janssen
Patricia is an acclaimed professor and mentor and a leader of groundbreaking research in women’s health and maternity care. Her published research on home births has transformed midwifery policies and practice in locations worldwide, and supported the recent decision of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC to permit physicians to attend home births. As a result, midwives and physicians can work collaboratively to offer home birth to all eligible women and prevent the need for women to leave their other children and potentially their communities to give birth in hospital. Patricia was instrumental in developing an accessible and innovative Master of Public Health program at UBC, which supports practicing clinicians to obtain graduate training through a distance learning format.
Conecting the Community Quote:
“As a former obstetrical nurse, I have witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of violence when experienced by women during pregnancy. I choose to support preventing violence against women and YWCA Vancouver because they provide both transitional and longer term housing for women which is a critical factor in empowering women to remain safe when in or leaving violent relationships.”
Yvonne Lefebvre
As a cell and molecular biologist Yvonne has relentlessly pursued health research investigations, collaborations and funding for 29 years to further knowledge about innovative protocols that could help treat breast and prostate cancer. In her roles as Vice President, Research & Academic Affairs at Providence Health Care and Associate Dean, Faculty of Medicine at UBC, Yvonne has fostered an environment of collaboration between research institutes and allied health care providers. Her belief in and vision of using research to improve patient care has benefited vulnerable populations of patients at St. Paul’s Hospital. She is a lifelong advocate both for women’s health and for the participation of women in health research, including leading national efforts for equal representation of women in clinical trials to make more evidence-based treatments specific for women.
Conecting the Community Quote:
“Every December, the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre is a grim reminder of the reality of violence against women. A majority of incidents of violence against women is motivated by the need to assert power. That harsh fact should embolden us to increase efforts to empower women on every front and therefore I support the YWCA’s preventing violence against women programs.”
Dianne Miller
Dianne is a renowned surgeon, educator, clinician and researcher. Determined to improve the outcomes of patients diagnosed with deadly ovarian cancer, she was instrumental in creating the Ovarian Cancer Research initiative. The initiative successfully and cohesively brought together her vision of a dynamic team of specialists spanning multiple specialties working towards a common goal: to improve the results for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. With a focus on prevention and early detection, Dianne’s leadership, innovative thinking and collaborative approach have pioneered new techniques to help reduce the incidence of ovarian cancer. Dianne is a unique role model who is dedicated to education and mentorship, volunteering her time on countless committees and boards, all while providing the utmost care to her patients and support for her students.
Conecting the Community Quote:
“A healthy diet, appropriate exercise, sound educational opportunities, positive role models and appropriate mentoring develop strong confident young women. Strong confident young women are the future leaders of our community, our nation and the world. We have the power to support healthy choices for youth, let’s make the future now, support the YWCA youth programs!”
Shannon Susko
For 20 years, Shannon has excelled in the fast-paced, constantly changing world of software development. She pairs technological ingenuity with active involvement as a peer mentor within her sector. With her tremendous drive and energy, Shannon has launched multiple technology companies that produce groundbreaking software solutions. She is currently the President and co-founder of Subserveo, a company that has developed game-changing software for the financial services industry. Prior to Subserveo, Shannon co-founded, designed and developed a cutting-edge internet payment platform company. Shannon freely contributes her time to mentor emerging leaders in her field in programs such as the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and ACETECH, a mentoring and training organization. She also shares her leadership expertise through numerous board positions in the community.
Conecting the Community Quote:
“Violence against women sees no cultural, age or socio-economic boundaries, and there’s still a lot of progress to be made in public education and prevention. I choose to support preventing violence against women, to heighten awareness around this issue and empower those suffering to seek safe havens like the YWCA for the resources and support needed to leave abusive relationships.”
