2023 Board of Directors
Brianne Valdes
Rachel Richardson
Brianne Valdes
Brianne Valdes is the current Past President of the WISE Sudbury chapter. She was born in Vancouver, B.C., and spent her youth in both British Columbia and Texas. She attended UBC where she studied Geological Sciences and Geography. Brianne has 17 years of experience working in the mining industry, specializing in resource geology and m
Brianne Valdes is the current Past President of the WISE Sudbury chapter. She was born in Vancouver, B.C., and spent her youth in both British Columbia and Texas. She attended UBC where she studied Geological Sciences and Geography. Brianne has 17 years of experience working in the mining industry, specializing in resource geology and mine planning software. She currently works at Deswik as a Key Account Manager. Brianne also remains an active member of her community as Vice President with WIM (Women in Mining) Sudbury, and as an Executive with Young Mining Professionals Sudbury. In her spare time, Brianne loves to travel, spend time outdoors, work on photography projects, and snowboard.
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Negar Saeidi
Rachel Richardson
Brianne Valdes
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 indust
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. Currently, she is a Senior Engineer with Vale’s Ventilation and Infrastructure Design Team. Negar is committed to advocating for equity and inclusion in science, engineering, and trades. In her spare time, she practices setar and yoga. Also, she likes cooking, reading and spending time outdoors, ice-skating, stand-up paddling, and hiking.
Rachel Richardson
Rachel Richardson
Rachel Richardson
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
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 and Education & Outreach Coordinator at SNOLAB. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outside, kayaking, playing soccer, and crocheting.
Sara Hicks
Maggie Wood
Rachel Richardson
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 enj
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.
Maggie Wood
Maggie Wood
Maggie Wood
Maggie Wood currently holds the position of Secretary for the WISE Sudbury chapter. Maggie grew up in Sudbury and graduated from Laurentian with a Bachelor of Engineering in 2019. After this she moved to Glasgow and completed a Masters in Mechatronics. Magge then moved back to Sudbury and has been working at Epiroc, first as a data analyst and now as an Automation EIT.
2023 Officers
Avery Morin
Mercedes Valli
Mercedes Valli
Avery Morin currently holds the position of Social Media 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 Pres
Avery Morin currently holds the position of Social Media 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.
Mercedes Valli
Mercedes Valli
Mercedes Valli
Mercedes Valli currently holds the position of Event Officer 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 Project Manager. In
Mercedes Valli currently holds the position of Event Officer 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 Project Manager. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing karate, reading, gaming and travelling.