Posted: March 10, 2025
By: Sarah Merriam
Photo (left to right): Crystal Parker, third-year Bachelor of Science student and host Eshaa Amer, Doris Grant, and Denise Pothier.
The Women in STEM event, intended to build connections among women breaking barriers in these fields, included three Dal alumni: Crystal Parker (BCSc'24), Doris Grant (BScAgr’94, MScAgr’97), and Denise Pothier (BEng'93).
“The only footwear that was available to me, as a female working in a refinery, were steel toe high heels,” shared Dal Engineering alum Denise Pothier, a 2020 Aurum Award recipient and chief operating officer at the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business when recalling the early stages in her engineering career. “I had to buy the smallest pair of men’s steel toe boots that I could find and wear three pairs of socks, so I could actually just do my job.”
Denise Pothier (BEng'93) speaking at the podium.
In another instance, Pothier explained when she needed to tailor her fire-retardant work clothing—designed to fit men— to fit her properly, and the time she was the only female out of 200 employees on an offshore installation and was forced to sleep in the infirmary.
Pothier emphasized the difference between a challenge and a barrier, explaining how often being the only female in a working environment naturally poses many challenges. “If it’s just difficult, you’ve got this,” she said. “But when it comes to barriers, they must be broken.”
Denise Pothier (centre) with event organizers, Christine Baker (left) and Alisha Johnson (right).
Forge your own path
Doris Grant, CEO of Life Sciences Nova Scotia and director of Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, explained that we have never needed strong women in STEM as much as we do now.
Agriculture alum Doris Grant (BScAgr’94, MScAgr’97) mingling with students and alumni.
After graduating from ±«Óătv’s Faculty of Agriculture in 1994 and securing a Masters of Physiology in 1997, Grant moved to New York to work for a large biotech company, leveraging her science-based skills related to technique, philosophy, and practice.
She would eventually work in the pharmaceutical industry next to graduates of Harvard and Stanford. “I was very proud of the work and education I received at ±«Óătv to be able to contribute to a global pharmaceutical company.”
Grant described her career timeline as “not a linear journey, but one that expands,” encouraging attendees to embrace curiosity, remain open to new opportunities, and strive for tangible outcomes that have real impact.
Doris Grant addressed attendees, encouraging women pursuing careers in STEM.
Advice for new grads
From homeschooling her four daughters to becoming a software engineer at Level Access, Dal Computer Science alum Crystal Parker encouraged women thinking about a career in STEM to believe in themselves and achieve their ambitions, and offered four key tips:
Feel the fear and do it anyway
“Life is going to be hard so you may as well do the scary things.”Embrace the difficult
“Learning new things is hard for everyone.”Ask for help
“Assume the best of people, they want to help you.”Network
“Every time I said yes to something, it took me somewhere great.”
Crystal Parker (BCSc’24) offered advice based on what she's learned along the way.
“Women belong in STEM,” said Parker. “And if I can take my passion, leap into the unknown, and build a career that I love, then so can you!”
Computer Science alum Crystal Parker (BCSc’24) with friends and colleagues.
The impact
Event attendees were inspired by the speakers’ determination to overcome adversity and embrace change throughout their careers. “You can start on one path and end up somewhere completely different,” said Celine Opitz (BSc’24).
Science alum Celine Opitz (BSc’24) networking at the event.
For others, like Simran Chopra (BCSc’24), these events are a great way to connect with like-minded individuals. “If there is a room full of women in STEM, that is the best chance to meet people in my industry,” she said, adding that you never know when you may use that connection down the road.
