Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Innovation

David Colle has built a career in civil construction and now serves as an executive at one of Canada’s largest infrastructure firms, where he oversees complex highway projects valued in the hundreds of millions. A 1997 graduate of the architectural technology program, he was appointed executive vice-president of integrated infrastructure solutions at Green Infrastructure Partners Inc. (GIP) in April 2022. Colle manages the company’s road-building operations across Canada. He played a key role in forming GIP through the amalgamation of three companies and continues to advocate for innovation and collaboration within the construction industry.

Cheryl Dowling is a digital health and reproductive care innovator working to advance how education, support and care are delivered through tech-enabled, patient-centred solutions. She is the founder of The IVF Warrior, a globally recognized fertility platform that supports millions through evidence-based resources and emotionally responsive care. Dowling also works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, reproductive technology and digital health, focusing on early intervention, personalized learning and scalable care navigation. Her approach combines lived experience and scientific insight to help shift care from a fragmented, clinical model to one that is more accessible and digitally integrated. She is also a bestselling author and an Emmy Award winner.

Matthew Finbow’s belief that “form follows function” drives his approach to automotive design and sustainable urban transportation. As a creative designer, he contributed to SARIT—Safe, Affordable, Reliable, Innovative Transit—a Canadian-made, three-wheeled electric vehicle designed for short-distance urban use. The zero-emission micro-EV is compact enough for bike lanes and aims to reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact while improving accessibility in cities. Finbow previously served as chief industrial designer at Magna International’s BionX division, where he led proprietary projects and helped lay the foundation for today’s e-bike industry. As lead designer at David Brown Automotive in the United Kingdom, he was responsible for the limited-edition Speedback Silvertone, a high-end vehicle known for its craftsmanship and premium pricing.

Since graduating from the photonics engineering technology program in 2009, Adam Karamath has built a career at the intersection of innovation and health care. He began in photonics manufacturing at Christie Digital, later advancing medical imaging technologies at Fujifilm VisualSonics. At Northern Digital Inc., he combined technical expertise with business strategy to support growth across medical technology markets. In 2020, Karamath founded a company to address personal protective equipment shortages during the pandemic. He now serves as senior director of commercial operations at Vena Medical, where he is helping lead the clinical adoption and global expansion of the MicroAngioscope—an intravascular camera used in stroke treatment and considered the smallest of its kind.

Walter LaPlante, a Deaf leader at Ford Motor Company, has led technological innovation to improve product quality across 20 manufacturing plants worldwide. He began his career at Ford in 2014 as a production supervisor and now oversees controls and industrial connectivity in stamping engineering. LaPlante developed MAIVS, a mobile vision system that uses artificial intelligence to detect manufacturing defects in real time. His work has earned multiple honours, including the Henry Ford Technology Award, and has contributed to improved efficiency, cost savings and standardization. LaPlante holds patents related to vehicle inspection and AI-powered quality control. He credits his hands-on college education and personal drive for shaping both his success and his advocacy for the Deaf community.

Boby Manoj is making his mark in the architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) industry. As an architectural technologist at a construction management consultancy called Hatch, he contributes to large-scale infrastructure projects — including the East Harbour Transit Hub, one of Canada’s most significant transit developments — using digital design methods to make project delivery more efficient. Currently pursuing a bachelor’s in technology in civil engineering, Manoj aspires to lead innovation in infrastructure and technology within enterprise-scale organizations or AEC-focused startups. As a first-generation immigrant, Manoj values communication for professional growth and actively participates in Hatch’s Toastmasters Club to support others while enhancing his voice in the industry.

Steve Priestley is the chief operating officer and co-owner of AltoMaxx Technologies, a global leader in drone services, certification and safety compliance. A 1999 graduate of an environmental engineering technologies program, Priestley credits his college education with providing the technical and problem-solving skills that launched his career. He has led AltoMaxx’s growth in 18 countries, pioneered drone-based methane detection and developed the world's only standardized certification program for unmanned flight. His work supports industries from energy to emergency response, making a lasting impact on both his sector and society.

Tom Riefesel is a senior leader in national security, risk management and defence, with expertise in technical operations, engineering and leadership development. He built a career with the Royal Canadian Navy, rising to the role of command chief petty officer, and later served as a director with the Canada Border Services Agency, where he provided strategic direction during a period of heightened focus on border security. Riefesel has long been committed to mentoring the next generation of leaders. He is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and was appointed to the Order of Military Merit.

Audil Virk, president of Huron Digital Pathology, is advancing digital transformation in laboratory medicine through the development of new technologies in pathology. His work focuses on engineering and commercializing digital scanners that convert glass pathology slides into high-resolution images—allowing pathologists, researchers and educators to collaborate more easily, share data and improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. Under Virk’s leadership, the St. Jacobs-based company has grown into a recognized player in digital imaging and software for pathology, contributing to the modernization of health care systems around the world.

Aaron Weir is the co-founder of Leadwave Technologies, an IT company based in southwestern Ontario. Since 2006, he has helped grow the business from a basement start-up into a regional provider serving more than 30 cities in Ontario and several U.S. states. Weir has led strategic mergers, introduced proactive service delivery models and supported workforce development through paid internships and mentorship programs. A member of the international Evolve Peer Group, he promotes innovation and collaboration within the IT sector. His technical background and leadership have contributed to raising industry standards across the region.