2022 Board of Directors

Eleanor Magdzinski is the current Past President of the WISE Sudbury chapter. She was born in Montreal, Quebec, and spent her youth in both Wilmington, Delaware and North Bay, Ontario. Eleanor holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in mining from Laurentian University and both a Bachelor of Science (Honours) (HBSc.) and a Master of Science (MSc.) in chemistry from The University of Western Ontario. She currently works as an equity research associate for Sprott Capital Partners in Toronto. Eleanor is passionate about mining, diversity, and encouraging women to pursue careers in SETT fields. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking/baking, playing sports, and spending time outdoors.

Negar Saeidi currently holds the position of President for the WISE Sudbury chapter. Negar was born and raised in Iran and moved to Sudbury in 2013 to attend Laurentian University, where she received her MSc degree in Mining Engineering funded by MIRARCO. In 2015, upon finishing her studies, she established her career in the mining industry as a researcher and worked her way up. Negar is passionate about promoting mining and encouraging the engagement of broader skill sets in the industry. Currently, she is a professional engineer with Vale’s North Atlantic Base Metals – Ventilation Design Team. Negar practices setar and yoga in her spare time, cooks, travels and spends time outdoors, ice-skating, stand-up paddling, and hiking.

Rachel Richardson currently holds the position of Vice-President for the WISE Sudbury chapter. Rachel grew up in the GTA before moving to Sudbury to attend Laurentian University where she studied Physics and Education. During her time as an undergraduate student, Rachel pursued her passion for particle physics by obtaining summer student research positions with the SNO+ experiment at SNOLAB. She also had the opportunity to work at the Large Hadron Collider located at CERN in Switzerland for a summer. Currently, Rachel works as a STEM professor at Cambrian College and continues her work for the SNO+ experiment. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outside, kayaking, playing soccer, and crocheting.

Sara Hicks currently holds the position of Treasurer for the WISE Sudbury chapter. Sara was born and raised here in Sudbury and attended Laurentian University where she studied Mechanical Engineering and specialized in Mechatronics. She is currently working as a Technical Publications EIT at Komatsu Mining Corp. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, outdoor activities such as skating, hiking, snowshoeing, hiking, kayaking, and playing video & board games. 

Mercedes Valli currently holds the position of Secretary for the WISE Sudbury chapter. Mercedes was born and raised in Sudbury and attended Laurentian University to complete her B.Eng in Mechatronics and a minor in Environmental Science. She is currently employed at Ionic Mechatronics as an Engineer in Training and is working towards earning her P.Eng by completing their EIT program. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing karate, reading, gaming and travelling. 

Avery Morin currently holds the position of Outreach Officer for the WISE Sudbury chapter. Avery is in her second year of Behavioural Neuroscience and Education at Laurentian University. She’s from Sudbury and attended Marymount Academy where her passion for science and leadership was born. She’s involved in her community as Vice President Education at the Students’ General Association where she advocates for students internally at LU and externally to different levels of government. She’s passionate about women’s rights and is an inaugural member of Laurentian’s Consent is Simple Action Team. She’s also been involved in the creation of LU’s Environmental Sustainability Club which strives to promote a more environmentally friendly campus. Avery is so thrilled to be involved in WISE with so many incredible women in STEM and she can’t wait to see what this year brings.