Episode 84: Jennifer Flanagan, Co-Founder, CEO, President of Actua

August 25, 2020

Jennifer Flanagan is an inspirational leader for girls and women in STEM, and in this episode, you are sure to be just that - inspired! She joins WWEST manager and podcast host Danniele to give insights into how it benefits all of us to support women, girls, and Indigenous communities in STEM; how she founded Actua, an organization that inspires future innovators; and she asks and explores the important question "How does a context and environment need to change to be more welcoming and accepting of girls and women?"

(Please excuse any audio hiccups in this remotely recorded interview.)

Guest: Jennifer Flanagan (Twitter)

Jennifer Flanagan is the co-founder, President and CEO of Actua. Actua is a national charitable organization that engages Canadian youth in transformational experiences in STEM and contributes significantly to future innovation in Canada. Jennifer leads this national network of university-based organizations across Canada that deliver interactive STEM programs annually engaging 225,000 youth in 500 communities.

Over the past 2 decades, Jennifer has led the development of STEM education outreach programs designed to engage underserved youth populations including Indigenous youth, girls, youth living in rural and remote communities, and at-risk youth. To accomplish this work, she partners with leading corporate sector companies, governments and other non-profits.

Jennifer has served on the boards of local, national and international groups that are committed to furthering educational opportunities for youth and for women. She currently sits on the Boards of the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

In 2007 and 2018, Jennifer was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, and in 2011 she was the recipient of a Y Women of Distinction Award in Education and Training and she was named one of Ottawa’s Top Forty Under 40.  She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of New Brunswick, a Master of Management from McGill University in Montreal, and recently she was awarded an Honourary degree in Science and Engineering from Concordia University.