Wavemakers Advisory Board
The Wavemakers Advisory Board is composed of diverse members from a variety of professional backgrounds. All are committed to building a more inclusive, and representative workforce, in the workplace of the future. Advisory Board members provide strategic advice and act as a soundboard to provide insights and explore new ideas. This is done in the spirit of Wavemakers’ core pillars; to build belonging, expand students’ networks, and enhance their future-proof capabilities. Scroll down below to learn more about our Advisory board members.
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Vice President, HR transformation, Betterworks
Jamie brings over twenty-five years of experience in delivering organizational development, cultural transformation and employee engagement strategies that contribute to business performance. Her portfolio has spanned multiple industries and sectors working both within those organizations as an HR practitioner as well as supporting them as a consultant. Jamie has deep understanding of talent management strategies and principles. She has aligned and implemented global talent practices spanning all associated processes. As a Mckinsey-certified facilitator, Jamie has also been instrumental in cultural transformations – supporting fundamental change with her experience in executive coaching and change management and employee engagement strategies. In her work with HCM technology firms, she has helped HR organizations leverage and optimize HCM technology to deliver strategic, value-based HR transformations. Jamie worked for large enterprises in retail, energy, financial services and information technology delivering the entire span of human capital practices. She received her B. A. from the University of Ottawa.
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Business Development Manager at Niagara College
David DiPietro is the Manager, Business Development with Niagara Colleges Research and Innovation division. Within this role, David is responsible for the strategic planning of the division and its innovation centres, working both with industry partners and faculty to execute applied research projects. Prior to re-joining Niagara College, David was the Senior Experiential Education Coordinator with the Goodman School of Business at Brock University, facilitating partnerships between students and community partners through curricular projects. David has spent his career in higher-education, managing experiential learning both domestically and internationally. Outside of Brock, David chairs the board of Tomorrows Voices, sits on the Niagara Community Foundation Grant Review Committee and is a now member of the Wavemakers Advisory Board.
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Senior Consultant in ESG Strategy at Anthesis Consulting
Anirban is a Senior Consultant in ESG Strategy at Anthesis Consulting, a global sustainability consulting firm. At Anthesis, Anirban helps clients develop their ESG & sustainability roadmap aligned with emerging regulations, while identifying risks & opportunities, and strategies towards value creation. Previously, he has held roles at Google, Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors, and COPP Net Zero, working across climate philanthropy, renewable hydrogen, and built environment sustainability. In parallel to advancing work in the sustainability & climate strategy spaces, Anirban is committed to advancing teaching & learning strategies to embed future proof skills in learners to help them formulate solutions to global challenges. Anirban holds a PhD in Environmental engineering from McGill University, has worked with the public & non-profit sector, academic units in India & Canada, and early-stage startups to lead & co-execute initiatives in Environmental engineering & strategy, EDI and social impact, teaching, and mentoring, and program development. As a member of the Wavemakers Advisory Board, Anirban looks to identify the big picture questions that drive effective student learning, engagement, and application of future proof skills to address global challenges in sustainability, climate change, health – and develop ambitious solutions.
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Faculty, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Sanoop is a faculty member at SAIT’s School of Business, where he teaches Information Technology courses that combine his two passions: Technology and Business. He has a background in Computer Science Engineering and MBA, followed by a decade of experience in Marketing for various technology companies in Dubai, including Sony as a product manager.
He moved to Calgary with his family towards the end of 2019. During the pandemic, Sanoop found meaning in helping people who were facing challenges in Technology through his volunteering in Calgary Public Library. He enrolled in SAIT to improve his IT skill set. After completing the program, he joined SAIT’s IT department as a Support Specialist helping students and staff with their IT requirements. Shortly after, he was offered a faculty role with SAIT’s School of Advanced Digital Technology and later School of Business. Sanoop was the recipient of the 2023 SAIT’s President’s Medal for academic excellence and contributions to the community. As faculty, Sanoop continues to work on his mission – a better world with better access to Technology.
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Studying Master of Education in Developmental Psychology & Education
Ami Patel holds an undergraduate degree in Applied Psychology and is starting her Master of Education in Developmental Psychology & Education at the University of Toronto in Fall 2023.
Ami is passionate about applying psychological research to enhance student mental health, create transformative learning experiences, and cultivate thriving institutions using a positive psychological framework.
Driven by her desire to create a just and flourishing society, Ami often takes on diverse research and educational roles in universities, non-profits, and service-oriented organizations.
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Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Liaison, Career Advancement Services Learner Services
Lara Schuelke has deep roots in education. Starting as an elementary teacher, she transitioned into the world of higher education as a program advisor before going on to complete her Master’s of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change, as well as becoming a certified Career Development Practitioner.
She has gathered a wealth of practice as a post-secondary career advisor in assisting students and graduates as they transition into new and varied career pathways.
Lara now works as the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Liaison at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) with a focus on building institutional best practices and pathways for students to access and leverage work experiences into a meaningful part of their career journeys.
She joined Wavemakers as an advisory board member in November of 2022.
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Manager, Career Center Ontario Tech University
Shenelle Payne Cuffy is the Manager of the Career Centre at Ontario Tech University. Shenelle assists with the design and delivery of career service programming to address the career development needs of students and alumni, both online and in person, including career development workshops, job fairs, and industry networking events. She also oversees the development and implementation of an integrated job development strategy to help connect employers to Ontario Tech talent. With over 15 years of experience in the career development field, Shenelle holds a bachelor of art’s degree in psychology, a career and work counsellor post graduate diploma, a certificate in adult learning, and is a Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP).
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Social Work Student, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Stephanie Evans is a full-time student studying social work at MUN in St. John's Newfoundland. She loves volunteering within her community, and being active; whether inside playing sports, working out, going for walks or hiking outside. She also loves cuddling her two cats.
Stephanie was formerly a Wavemakers participant, and applied to the program to get out of her comfort zone and try something new. She is proud to support Wavemakers contributing her vantage point as a student and is elated to use this opportunity as a way to enrich the Wavemakers program as it grows and scales.
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Vice President Protected Areas Establishment and Conservation, Parks Canada
Darlene joined Parks Canada in 1996 holding a number of positions in three national parks and at executive levels in the Agency National Office. She has a Bachelor of Science, an Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation, and a Certificate of Tourism from Lakehead University. She worked for the Royal Ontario Museum for several years and completed a Masters of Science from the University of Toronto. Darlene is an alumni of Singularity University Executive Leadership program and a Salzburg Global Fellow. She is very interested in how technology will affect the human relationship with nature and its opportunity to accelerate conservation gains globally. Darlene also has significant experience working with Indigenous, federal, provincial, and municipal governments, and environmental non-governmental organizations in the establishment and management of protected areas. Darlene puts a focus on building team and leadership and has been a guest on the Adam Grant – Work Life Ted syndicated podcast on the subject of Compassionate Workplaces. Darlene is also involved in her community running an art program at a women’s supportive housing initiative, sitting as a board member for the Centre de Service Communautaire de Vanier, and Board of Governors for St. Pauls University.
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Resource Deployment Manager
Global Delivery Center, IBM Technology Expert LabsJudith Fernando brings years of experience in Campus Recruitment and currently works in Resource Management at IBM. She offers a unique mix of people strategy and operational know-how, with a passion for technology, mentorship, and helping students launch meaningful careers in the ever-evolving world of tech. She’s excited to make waves with Wavemakers!