Advocates.
Change Leaders.
Trailblazers.
ABOUT US
Global Women in STEM Inc. is a women-owned and women-run consulting company based in Vancouver, BC, that promotes human rights for women and other equity-deserving groups and challenges the status quo in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through education, innovation, advocacy, and action for a world where they have access to quality education, equal opportunities, and inclusive and diverse environments to achieve their full potential.
Our goal is to make the world a better place by promoting and protecting human rights including gender equality and access to quality education. We have collaborated with local, provincial, federal, and global organizations in advocacy, youth outreach, mentorship, governance, justice, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives for nearly four decades combined. Our commitment to advancing and advocating for women and other underrepresented groups in STEM and educating and nurturing the youth has no bounds as we see the underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM and the access to quality education for youth and the ecosystem of employment and retention of women as human rights concerns. Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.
Mission
To promote equality for Women in STEM and other equity-deserving populations and transform the status quo through education, innovation, advocacy, and action.
Vision
A world where women in STEM and other underrepresented groups have access to quality education, equal opportunities, and inclusive and diverse environments to achieve their full potential.
Damineh Akhavan
FEC, P.Eng., MBA
Damineh Akhavan is a Professional Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Canada with more than 19 years of technical experience in the aerospace industry. Moreover, she is a Founder and CEO of Global Women in STEM Inc.
Damineh holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, a Bachelor of Science in Physics, and an MBA in International Business from the University of Victoria. She has been an advocate for human rights and a champion for women in engineering, a passion that has grown over the years, especially after becoming a mother.
Damineh’s true calling and lifelong goal is to serve her community with long-lasting and sustainable global impact. She has been selflessly involved with local, provincial, federal, and global organizations in mentorship, youth outreach, governance, advocacy, justice, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives for nearly two decades.
For her achievements as a Professional Engineer, Damineh is the recipient of the 2023 Engineers Canada Meritorious Service Award for Professional Service and the 2022 Engineers and Geoscientists BC McLachlan Award for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering. For her great service to the aerospace industry and her achievements in and contributions to aerospace engineering, Damineh is the recipient of the 2022 Northern Lights Aero Elsie Award in Engineering. For her outstanding professional achievements and exemplary community contributions, Damineh has been awarded Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award in Science and Technology, the prestigious 2022 University of Victoria Distinguished Alumni President’s Award, the inaugural 2021 University of Victoria Gustavson School of Business “Spirit of Ali” award, and the 2023 Capilano University Alumni Awards of Excellence. Damineh is also the recipient of the 2022 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards. In addition, she is featured as an EDI Leader by Engineers Canada for using her platform to further women and gender diverse people’s presence at her workplace and in engineering.
More of her impactful work and accomplishments can be found on her LinkedIn page.
ANJA LANZ
FEC, P.Eng.
Anja Lanz is an award-winning Professional Engineer and a Founder and CEO of Global Women in STEM Inc. As a Thought Leader, Strategic Thinker, and a Champion for Change, who, for two decades, has been dedicating her outstanding leadership and volunteering to the advancement of women and equity deserving groups and to the advocacy for equality and fairness in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields, Anja is a trailblazer and trendsetter, and her recognitions and esteemed respect from her peers can be felt across the province, nationally, and globally.
Anja embodies Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) as a way of life in her personal and professional activities, and in everything she does, she instills the value of Integrity, Accountability, and Transparency.
She spans industries and boundaries in her tireless work for democratic decision making and for equal opportunities for all underrepresented groups.
Her incredible dedication, together with a deep-seated principle of making a difference to her profession and to society, had her ultimately receive the 2008 UBC Faculty of Science Achievement Award for Service for bringing gender equality to male dominated professions, and the most recent UBC Health 2021 R. Paul Kerston Community Educator Award recognizing her talents and dedication to improve the healthcare system one professional at the time.
More of her endeavours and achievements can be found on her LinkedIn page.