STEM WOMEN CONGRESS MONTREAL 2026

Montréal célèbre la troisième édition du STEM Women Congress Canada et lance les premiers STEM Awards Canada

stem women congress MontrealswcSWC Montreal 2026

Plus de 150 participants réunis pour mesurer, connecter et transformer l’écosystème STEM

Montréal, 25 septembre 2026 — Le STEM Women Congress Canada 2026 a marqué une nouvelle étape dans la construction d’un écosystème STEM plus inclusif au Canada.

SWC MONTREAL 26

Pour sa troisième édition à Montréal, Global STEM Women a réuni plus de 150 participants au siège de ServiceNow Montréal, rassemblant entreprises, institutions, universités, professionnels STEM, éducateurs, étudiants et organisations engagées pour favoriser davantage de diversité et d’opportunités dans les sciences et technologies.

Cette édition a été particulièrement importante avec :

  • la deuxième édition du STEM Women Annual Report (SWAR) Canada, qui permet d’analyser la représentation des femmes dans les STEM ;
  • l’intégration du STEM Atlas Canada, une cartographie des initiatives qui œuvrent pour développer le talent STEM ;
  • la première édition des STEM Awards Canada, destinée à reconnaître les personnes et organisations qui contribuent à transformer l’écosystème.

Comme le rappelle la mission de Global STEM Women :
“Only if we measure, we can change.”


Une journée dédiée à l’innovation, à l’éthique et au leadership

Le programme a abordé des enjeux clés pour l’avenir des STEM : intelligence artificielle responsable, cybersécurité, leadership féminin, rôle des alliés et importance des données pour accélérer le changement.

Global STEM Women remercie particulièrement Marie-Ève Marchand, Manager of Research Enablement AI at ServiceNow, ainsi que toute l’équipe de ServiceNow, pour avoir accueilli cette troisième édition montréalaise.

Nos remerciements vont également à Tricot Principal pour le service de restauration, ainsi qu’aux bénévoles, ambassadors, speakers, membres du jury et partenaires qui ont contribué à la réussite de l’événement.


Première édition des STEM Awards Canada

Cette première édition a reconnu des femmes, enseignants et organisations qui inspirent et développent le talent STEM.

🏆 STEM Teacher Award
Ms. Andrea Hawkins — Teacher at Kuper Academy

🏆 STEM Woman Award
Asma Ghali — Senior Director – Microsoft Azure & Data Practice at Alithya

🏆 Ecosystem Recognition – Professional Career
TechQuiero

Mentions honorables :
Women in Tech et Femme in Science

🏆 Ecosystem Recognition – Inspiration
Technovation Montréal

Mentions honorables :
Olympes de la Parole et Actua National Girls Program


Ethics Courtroom “Amara’s Algorithm” : un débat sans réponse unique

Le congrès a également accueilli une nouvelle édition de l’Ethics Courtroom “Amara’s Algorithm”, consacrée aux enjeux éthiques de l’intelligence artificielle dans le domaine de la santé.

Après le vote du public et la délibération du jury, la juge Sylvie Leduc a déclaré une égalité entre les deux équipes.

Les deux équipes ont ainsi reçu une reconnaissance pour leurs analyses et leurs arguments, illustrant l’importance du dialogue et de la réflexion collective face aux défis technologiques.


Merci à notre écosystème de partenaires

Le STEM Women Congress Canada 2026 a été rendu possible grâce au soutien de :

ServiceNow, ISEE Canada Inc., H2Lab et Porter Airlines.

Avec le soutien de :

ACCIÓ – Catalonia Trade & Investment / Gouvernement de Catalogne, l’Ambassade d’Espagne au Canada, Caminos Cruzados, Women Techmakers Montréal, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, WBE Canada et 250grados.


PRESS RELEASE

Montreal celebrates the third edition of STEM Women Congress Canada and launches the first STEM Awards Canada

More than 150 participants gathered to measure, connect and transform the STEM ecosystem

Montreal, September 25, 2026 — STEM Women Congress Canada 2026 marked a new milestone in building a more inclusive STEM ecosystem in Canada.

For its third edition in Montreal, Global STEM Women brought together more than 150 participants at ServiceNow Montreal, gathering companies, institutions, universities, STEM professionals, educators, students and ecosystem organizations committed to creating more opportunities in science and technology.

This edition was especially significant with:

  • the second edition of the STEM Women Annual Report (SWAR) Canada, providing insights into women’s representation in STEM;
  • the implementation of STEM Atlas Canada, mapping initiatives working to strengthen STEM talent;
  • the first edition of the STEM Awards Canada, recognizing individuals and organizations creating meaningful impact.

As Global STEM Women’s mission states:

“Only if we measure, we can change.”


A day focused on innovation, ethics and leadership

The program explored key topics shaping the future of STEM, including responsible artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, women’s leadership, male allies and the importance of data to accelerate progress.

Global STEM Women would like to express special thanks to Marie-Ève Marchand, Manager of Research Enablement AI at ServiceNow, and the entire ServiceNow team for hosting this third Montreal edition.

We also thank Tricot Principal for the catering service, as well as all volunteers, ambassadors, speakers, jury members and partners who contributed to making the event possible.


First edition of the STEM Awards Canada

The first edition of the STEM Awards Canada celebrated women, educators and organizations inspiring and developing STEM talent.

🏆 STEM Teacher Award
Ms. Andrea Hawkins — Teacher at Kuper Academy

🏆 STEM Woman Award
Asma Ghali — Senior Director – Microsoft Azure & Data Practice at Alithya

🏆 Ecosystem Recognition – Professional Career
TechQuiero

Honourable Mentions:
Women in Tech and Femme in Science

🏆 Ecosystem Recognition – Inspiration
Technovation Montreal

Honourable Mentions:
Olympes de la Parole and Actua National Girls Program


Ethics Courtroom “Amara’s Algorithm”: exploring complex technology decisions

The Congress also featured the Ethics Courtroom “Amara’s Algorithm”, focusing on ethical challenges related to artificial intelligence in healthcare.

Following the audience vote and the jury deliberation, Judge Sylvie Leduc declared a tie between the two teams.

Both teams were recognized and awarded, highlighting the importance of dialogue, critical thinking and responsible decision-making when addressing emerging technologies.


Thanks to our ecosystem of partners

STEM Women Congress Canada 2026 was made possible thanks to:

ServiceNow, ISEE Canada Inc., H2Lab and Porter Airlines.

With the support of:

ACCIÓ – Catalonia Trade & Investment / Government of Catalonia, the Embassy of Spain in Canada, Caminos Cruzados, Women Techmakers Montreal, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, WBE Canada and 250grados.

Host: Naouel Hanani, Public Funding Specialist – McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship

8:30 h  Opening Doors & Identifications

9:00 h Welcome Words
ServiceNow Welcome Words

Eva Diaz, CEO & Founder of Global STEM Women and STEM Women Congress
Sonia Montserrat, President Canada Chapter of the STEM Women Congress | Associate Vice President – AI solutions – Videns, propulsée par COFOMO
Diana Varela, Conseillère de la Ville de l’Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles du district La Pointe-aux- | On behalf of Soraya Marisel Martínez Ferrada, Mayor of Montreal, Quebec

9:15 h The STEM Women Annual Report – Canada
Longfei Wang,
Research Assistant – University of Ottawa

9:30 h Talk 1 – Milking Clouds: How Permalution’s Technology is Unlocking a New Water Source to Solve Global Scarcity
Tatiana Estevez, Founder CEO at Permalution

9:45 h The Ethics Courtroom: Amara’s algorithm
Judge: Sylvie Leduc, Servant project leader, author, AI explorer

Jury
Dr. Stefania Pecore, AI Ethics Expert (AIEB program) Appointed by UNESCO
Costanza Conti, Scientific Attachèe, Embassy of Italy to Canada
Geneviève Abbott, Ambassador of the Global STEM Women – Canada Chapter and Executive Director at Catalonia Trade & Investment

Team A
Abdul Basheer Arifi, Director of Institutional Relations, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP) Canada | University of Toronto
Giulia Di Lollo, Research Analyst – The Plakhov Group
Temitope Bolaji-Jegede, Executive and Leadership Coach at Maxwell
Álvaro de Travesedo, Counsellor of the Embassy of Spain in Canada

Team B
Rocío Tutillo, Full Stack Developer at Connect Education Inc.
Laura Marsal, Research assistant at McGill University
Xavier Peich, Founder of Peich Technologies
Elodie Meyer, Co-founder & GC of Ceiba Law

10:30 h Coffee break & Networking

11:00 h From Impostor to Impact: Thriving Authentically in STEM
Moderator: Sonia Montserrat, President Canada Chapter of the STEM Women Congress | Associate Vice President – AI solutions – Videns, propulsée par COFOMO
Asma Ghali, Senior Director- Microsoft Azure & data practice,
Alithya
Joan Ofulue,
Management Consulting Senior Manager for Data & AI at Deloitte Canada
Tania Ramos,
Founder & CEO of Strominnate Therapeutics AB

11:30 h Talk 2 – Créer des possibilités grâce à un approvisionnement inclusif
Nancy MacDonald,
Responsable, relations et engagement stratégiques / Strategic Stakeholder Engagement Lead at WBE Canada

11:45 h STEM MEN Allies
Moderator: Naouel Hanani, Public Funding Specialist – McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship
Jean-Philippe Pelletier, Vice-President, TramCité Project, CDPQ Infra

Samir Mounir, Senior Director -Market Development – IT, Technology, Healtcare, AI, IoT, Life Sciences, Innovation, Desjardins

12:30 h Lunch & Networking

Hosts: Gaia D’Elia & Oriol Caro, Volunteers of the STEM Women Congress Canada

13:30 h Inspiring STEM Leaders Across Generations: Leadership, Legacy & Impact
Moderator: Nancy De Santis, Ambassador of the Global STEM Women – Canada Chapter and President of Expertis Solutions
Lauren Sevack, Vice President at Tripar Inc
Stéphanie Jecrois, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Technovation Montréal
Ieman Elmowafi, Founder and CEO of EviDara – Senior Consultant at World Health Organization

13:50 h Cybersecurity: securing the future.
Moderator: Darren Jones, Executive Vice-President, Cibersecurity and Risk Advisory Services at Valencia Risk
Marsha Bazile,
IT Auditor – Bureau du vérificateur général de la Ville de Montréal
Patricia Moreno, IT / OT Security Program Manager at Metrolinx
Spandana Gella, Research Lead at ServiceNow Research, Adjunct Professor at McGill University

14:15 h STEM Awards Canada – First Edition
President of the Awards: Hanna AbdelHamid, Head of Sigma Software Canada

Ethics Courtroom
Sylvie Leduc, Servant project leader, author, AI explorer

Ecosystem Recognition – Inspiration
Hortensia Sanz, Conseillère Experte en Gestion de patrimoine clientèle entrepreneur et professionnelles en affaires chez Desjardins

Ecosystem Recognition – Professional Career
Thais Collado, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Panama to Canada

STEM Teacher Award
Renée Connors,
Occasional Teacher at Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) | Teach for Canada

STEM Woman Award
Sonia Montserrat, President Canada Chapter of the STEM Women Congress | Associate Vice President – AI solutions – Videns, propulsée par COFOMO

14:30 h Closing

Renee Connors

Occasional Teacher at Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) | Teach for Canada

Spandana Gella

Research Lead at ServiceNow Research, Adjunct Professor at McGill University

Elodie Meyer

Co-founder & GC of Ceiba Law

Diana Varela

Conseillère de la Ville de l’Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles du district La Pointe-aux-

Ieman Elmowafi

Founder and CEO of EviDara – Senior Consultant at World Health Organization

Samir Mounir

Senior Director -Market Development – IT, Technology, Healtcare, AI, IoT, Life Sciences, Innovation
Desjardins

Nancy MacDonald

Responsable, relations et engagement stratégiques / Strategic Stakeholder Engagement Lead
WBE Canada

Xavier Peich

Founder of Peich Technologies

Lauren Sevack

Vice President
Tripar Inc

Abdul Basheer Arifi

Director of Institutional Relations, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP) Canada | University of Toronto

Jean-Philippe Pelletier

Vice-President
TramCité Project, CDPQ Infra

Giulia Di Lollo

Research Analyst
The Plakhov Group

Mahsa Rezai

Founder & CEO of MamaNest and Intelligent Nest
Managing Director at Her Career Conference

Tatiana Estevez

Founder CEO at Permalution

Patricia Moreno

IT / OT Security Program Manager
Metrolinx

Costanza Conti

Scientific Attachèe
Embassy of Italy to Canada

Marsha Bazile

IT Auditor
Bureau du vérificateur général de la Ville de Montréal

Naouel Hanani

Public Funding Specialist
McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship

Tania Ramos

Founder & CEO
Strominnate Therapeutics AB

Asma Ghali

Senior Director
Microsoft Azure & data practice, Alithya

Rocío Tutillo

Full Stack Developer
Connect Education Inc

Dr. Stefania Pecore

AI Ethics Expert (AIEB program)
Appointed by UNESCO

Sylvie Leduc

Servant project leader, author, AI explorer

Longfei Wang

Research Assistant
University of Ottawa

Sonia Montserrat

President Canada Chapter of the STEM Women Congress

Thais Collado

Charge d’Affairs AI of the Embassy of Panama in Canada

Temitope Bolaji-Jegede

Leadership and Executive Coach
Maxwell

Hortensia Sanz

Conseillère Experte en Gestion de Patrimoine clientèle entrepreneur et professionnelles en affaires
Desjardins

Hanna Abdel Hamid

Head of Sigma Software Canada

Geneviève Abbott

Ambassador for GSW & Executive Director
Catalonia Trade & Investment

Nancy de Santis

Ambassador for GSW and Founder/CEO of Expertis Solutions

Joan Ofulue

Management Consulting Senior Manager for Data & AI
Deloitte Canada

Darren Jones

Executive Vice-President, Cybersecurity and Risk Advisory Services
Valencia Risk

Laura Marsal

Ph.D. Candidate at Goodman Cancer Institute
McGill University

Stéphanie Jecrois

Co-founder and Executive Director
Technovation Montréal

Eva Díaz

CEO & Founder
STEM Women Congress​