IWS Network: Consumer Handbook on STEM Careers for Immigrant Women

Immigrant women in STEM face barriers despite advanced degrees, often struggling with underemployment or adapting to a new work culture. Founded in 2018, the IWS Network supports female consumers through mentorship, networking, and resources across nine Canadian cities.

An IWS survey found nearly 60% are dissatisfied with their roles, and over 40% experience underemployment. By building a strong community, IWS helps retain international STEM talent in Canada.

As new industries grow, online casinos and the gambling sector are creating more career opportunities for STEM professionals, including immigrant women. With expertise in data science, cybersecurity, and game development, they are helping shape the future of online gaming.

About IWS and Its Mission

The Immigrant and International Women in Science Network (IWS) Network is a non-profit organization that builds collaborative environments for immigrant and international women in science fields across Canada. What began as independent mentorship activities in different cities quickly grew into a coordinated national network when the founders realized they could achieve more by joining forces.

The organization’s vision is straightforward: to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion for immigrant women from STEM backgrounds throughout Canada. This vision translates into practical mission objectives:

• First, IWS creates safe spaces where women can discuss career, gender, and multicultural challenges. Their monthly city meetings allow members to address personal and professional development in supportive environments.
• Second, the network bridges connections between different work disciplines and environments. By bringing together individuals from academia, industry, government, and non-profits, IWS helps women explore diverse career paths and opportunities.
• Third, IWS offers one-on-one mentorship from senior leaders, helping women pursue careers in science or transition between different disciplines and sectors.

Through these core functions, IWS addresses the practical needs of its members while advocating for broader systemic changes that will benefit all immigrant women in STEM.

Meet the Team: Who Runs IWS?

Founders & Visionaries

The IWS Network began in 2018 when immigrant women in STEM realized their mentorship efforts could have a greater impact if combined. Recognizing the shared challenges of underemployment and cultural adaptation, they created a nationwide support system that serves as a consumer handbook for navigating professional opportunities in Canada.

The founding team included women from diverse scientific backgrounds across Canada: Silvia Pozzi (Quebec City), Yalena Amador (Saskatoon), Olga Pena (Ottawa), Adriana Verduzco (Mississauga), Nicole Orsi Barioni (Calgary), Edna Matta-Camacho (Montreal), Giulia Cisbani (Toronto), Shraddha Dubey (Mississauga), Shanda Polonio (Charlottetown), and Sweta Rajan (Vancouver).

Their initiative transformed personal struggles into a movement that now supports immigrant women in STEM through mentorship, networking, and advocacy.

National Leaders Board

The IWS Network is governed by a National Leaders Board (NLB) composed of senior leaders from each chapter. The board is structured into specialized committees that oversee different aspects of the organization:

Local Chapters: IWS Across Canada

Each IWS city chapter has its own leadership team consisting of City Leaders who handle day-to-day operations and Senior Leaders who serve on the National Leaders Board. These chapters adapt the IWS mission to address local needs and opportunities.

• The Vancouver chapter, led by Clarisse Baudot and Sweta Rajan, has been active in building connections with the local tech industry, where many STEM immigrants find opportunities.
• Calgary’s chapter, led by Ana Carolina Lima, Fatemeh Shahhosseini, and Nicole Orsi Barioni, plays an active role in connecting Calgary women in science through their participation in events like ‘Calgary Womxn: Taking Strides’ while also organizing the Science for Kids Program that showcases Calgary science innovations to inspire young students.
• The Saskatoon chapter, led by Yalena Amador-Cañizares, Mamata Panigrahi, and Josseline Ramos-Figueiroa, collaborates with organizations like International Women of Saskatoon to address integration challenges specific to smaller Canadian cities where networking opportunities may be more limited.
• Ottawa’s leadership team leverages proximity to government institutions to promote science policy and offer practical workshops on navigating Canadian systems, including sessions on applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) in Ottawa – a critical first step for employment that can be daunting for newcomers.
• The Toronto chapter, led by Aniesha Sherine, Muna Farah, and Giulia Cisbani, has developed a mentorship program that connects newcomers with established professionals in Toronto’s dynamic science ecosystem, which includes major research hospitals, universities, and Canada’s largest concentration of biotech startups.
• Mississauga’s leaders, Adriana Verduzco and Shraddha Dubey, collaborate with local industry to create networking opportunities for women transitioning from academia to corporate roles.
• Montreal, Quebec City, and Charlottetown chapters round out the national presence, each bringing unique perspectives and resources to the network.

Events & Programs: Bringing Women Together

Monthly Meetings

IWS monthly meetings are a key part of the network, offering immigrant women in STEM a space to share experiences, address challenges, and gain career insights as informed consumers of educational and professional services. Each session focuses on a relevant theme, ensuring discussions remain practical and impactful.

Recent topics include:

• Work-life balance in scientific careers
• Science diplomacy in times of COVID-19, exploring how international scientific cooperation adapted during global crisis
• Mental health in professional settings
• Gender equality and workplace negotiations
• Building professional credibility online
• Adapting to Canadian workplace culture, which explores key differences between work cultures in Canada vs. USA

During the pandemic, meetings shifted online, allowing members to stay connected and continue learning. Whether virtual or in-person, these sessions help immigrant women navigate workplace expectations, cultural differences, and career progression in Canada.

Voices Without Frontiers

Voices Without Frontiers is a storytelling initiative that gives immigrant women in STEM a space to share their experiences. Through weekly Twitter takeovers, different IWS members highlight their personal journeys, challenges, and insights using the hashtag #VoicesIWS.

This program creates visibility for immigrant women in science by showcasing both shared struggles and individual successes. It offers a real, human perspective on the statistics surrounding immigrant women in STEM, reinforcing the importance of mentorship, networking, and advocacy.

By amplifying these voices, IWS fosters solidarity within its community while raising awareness among the broader public about the realities of navigating STEM careers as an immigrant in Canada.

Highlight of the Month

Each month, IWS features a short testimonial from a member about their experience with the network. These highlights showcase diverse voices and perspectives, helping to build community and recognize individual contributions.

The Highlight of the Month program serves multiple purposes. It celebrates achievements, provides role models for newcomers, and illustrates the different ways IWS can support women at various stages of their careers and immigration journeys. For featured members, it offers visibility that can enhance their professional profiles.

Campaigns: Raising Awareness & Funds

I Move for Immigrant Women in Science

This annual virtual fundraising campaign promotes physical activity while supporting IWS initiatives. Participants engage in activities like walking, running, cycling, or skating and share their experiences using #IMove4IWS.

The campaign is inclusive, highlighting various forms of movement, including wheelchair sports, to ensure accessibility for all. It also aligns with research linking physical activity to stress management, an important factor for immigrant women balancing career transitions.

The 2021 event ran from September 18-26, while the 2022 edition took place from September 24 to October 2. Participants who shared photos of their activities were entered into a prize draw, adding an interactive element to the initiative.

Virtual Run/Walk Fundraising

The 2020 Virtual Run/Walk, held from October 3-11, was an adaptation to pandemic challenges. Participants completed a 5km or 10km run or walk at their own convenience, fostering national engagement across different schedules and time zones.

The campaign had both a physical and financial goal: collectively reaching 5,000km and raising funds for IWS programs. It raised $911.38, which helped fund:

• Additional services for IWS members
• Online accessibility for meetings
• Website and social media maintenance
• Development of communication tools
• Guest speaker events

These campaigns, supported by local partners like Insource Calgary who provided promotional materials, showcase IWS’s ability to blend fundraising with community engagement, ensuring long-term support for immigrant women in STEM.

Collaborations: Partnerships, Research & Consumer Awareness

The IWS Network has developed strategic partnerships that expand opportunities for its members and increase its impact across Canada.

A key example is their collaboration with the Immigrant Employment Council of BC for the SPRINT program (Skills Passport for Newcomers in Tech). This government-funded initiative accelerates labour market integration for skilled immigrants in Biotechnology/Life Sciences and Information Technology.

The program offers several valuable services:

• Career relaunch assistance for newcomers
• Technical skills validation at no cost
• Information about labour market needs
• Industry-approved content from partners
• Fully online access for maximum flexibility

Another notable partnership is with the Soapbox Science platform, which gives women scientists opportunities to share their research with the public. The Quebec City chapter has been particularly active in this worldwide initiative, creating visibility for immigrant women scientists.

IWS also collaborates with academic institutions, including Humber College’s computer networking program, to organize Science for Kids programs and create pathways for immigrant women seeking additional certifications. This initiative not only promotes STEM careers among children but also creates speaking opportunities for IWS members.

These partnerships reflect IWS’s external relations strategy of connecting members with organizations that can provide concrete opportunities while advancing broader equity goals.

IWS Impact: Stronger Future for Women in STEM

The IWS Network’s impact is evident through its 2020-2021 survey of immigrant women in STEM across Canada. The findings revealed key challenges, including underemployment (58%), lack of opportunities in their field (40%), and high educational qualifications – 93% held university degrees, with 54% having PhDs.

Discrimination was a major barrier, with 47% reporting cultural/racial bias and 41% experiencing gender-based discrimination in hiring or the workplace. During the COVID-19 pandemic, immigrant women in STEM faced a 12.3% unemployment rate, higher than the general population (8.8%).

To address these issues, IWS developed targeted programs, including mentorship initiatives like the GTA chapter’s 2022 program, which paired 20 mentors and mentees. Monthly meetings now focus on key challenges, such as adapting to Canadian workplace culture and networking.

By tackling both immediate barriers and systemic challenges, IWS helps immigrant women in STEM contribute fully to Canadian society, even creating special programming around cultural celebrations like Mother’s Day in Canada 2020 (May 10) that acknowledged the unique challenges of immigrant mothers in scientific careers.

How to Get Involved

The IWS Network provides various ways to engage, whether you’re an immigrant woman in STEM, an ally, or an organization supporting diversity in science.