The Ontario Energy Network is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2023 OEN Scholarships. Many of our scholarship winners are clearly focused on pursuing one of the many rewarding careers available in the energy sector, and all have impressive accomplishments to date. The OEN Sustainable Development Scholarship, sponsored by Alectra, has been awarded to Isabel Smith, an Ontario Tech University Electrical Engineering student and our first two-time winner. Our Women in Energy Scholarship winner, sponsored by the OEB, is Reeda Awan, a University of Ontario Institute of Technology Electrical/Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering student. The OEN Indigenous Energy Scholarship, sponsored by the IESO, has been awarded to Mary Pangowish, a Materials Engineering student at McMaster University. Christina Mohan, a Chemical Engineering student at the University of Waterloo, is the recipient of the OEN-Bruce Power Nuclear Studies Scholarship. The first recipient of the OEN-Dr. Ron Oberth Advanced Energy Studies Scholarship, sponsored by Bruce Power, is Simon Horner, a Master’s of Urban Planning in Development student at Toronto Metropolitan University. All of our 2023 scholarship recipients have been invited to a future OEN networking event, where we can publicly recognize them for their achievements.
Isabel Smith – 2023 OEN Sustainable Development Scholarship (sponsored by Alectra)
Our first two-time winner! Last year’s winner of the Women in Energy Scholarship, Isabel Smith, has been awarded the 2023 Sustainable Development Scholarship, sponsored by Alectra. Isabel is beginning her fourth year at Ontario Tech University, studying electrical engineering. While studying at Ontario Tech, Isabel has Chaired their Engineering Competition and participated in the Engineering Outreach program, speaking to young women considering studying engineering and written articles for the Hydro One “We Made It” website. Isabel has been part of our WiRE Student Table at OEN luncheons and worked for OEN members OPG and CIMA+ as a Co-op Student. Isabel hopes to find a career in the energy sector, with a particular interest in projects that focus on environmentally conscious transmission and distribution, as well as incorporation of renewable energy and distributed energy resources (DERs).
Reeda Awan – 2023 OEN Women in Energy Scholarship (sponsored by the Ontario Energy Board)
The recipient of the 2023 Ontario Energy Network Women in Energy Scholarship, sponsored by the Ontario Energy Board, is Reeda Awan, a 4th year University of Ontario Institute of Technology Electrical/Manufacturing/ Mechanical Engineering student. A National Kickboxing Champion, Reeda represented Canada at the Pan Am Games in Brazil in 2022. At school, Reena has been President of the Women in Engineering society, VP of Finance of the IEEE society, VP External of the First Year Council and a VP of the Women @ UOIT society. She has held an internship position at Hydro One and is very interested in pursuing a career in the energy sector.
Mary Pangowish – 2023 OEN Indigenous Energy Scholarship (sponsored by the IESO)
The recipient of the 2023 Ontario Energy Network Indigenous Energy Scholarship, sponsored by the IESO, is Mary Pangowish, a third-year Materials Engineering student at McMaster University. While still in high school, Mary was captain of a FIRST Robotics Championship team, which became the first all-First Nations team to make it to the world championships. Mary says she has found a love for engineering and hopes to bring more STEM-related opportunities and experiences to First Nations students in her community. Mary is from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island.
Christina Mohan – 2023 OEN-Bruce Power Nuclear Studies Scholarship (sponsored by Bruce Power)
The winner of the 2023 OEN-Bruce Power Nuclear Studies Scholarship is Christina Mohan, a 4th year Chemical Engineering student at the University of Waterloo. In 2021, Christina co-founded and has since led the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) Waterloo chapter, which hosts professional development and networking events to raise student awareness about the opportunities in the nuclear industry. She has also been a member of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries 2022/2023 Youth Shadow Council, where alongside other young professionals she organized social media campaigns and webinars to promote the benefits of nuclear energy. Christina has amplified her passion for nuclear power generation with her co-op placements at Natural Resources Canada in the Nuclear Energy Division, Nuclear Promise X Inc., and Westinghouse Electric Company.
Simon Horner 2023 OEN-Dr. Ron Oberth Advanced Energy Studies Scholarship (sponsored by Bruce Power)
The first winner of the new OEN-Dr. Ron Oberth Advanced Energy Studies Scholarship, awarded to a student pursuing an advanced degree and sponsored by Bruce Power, is Simon Horner. Simon is a graduate of the Honours Bachelor of Arts program at the University of Guelph, where he was named to the Dean’s Honour Roll in his final two years. Simon is now pursuing a Master of Urban Planning in Development degree at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he is Vice-President of the Metropolitan Graduate Student Union. Upon completion of his master’s degree, Simon plans to obtain the Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI).
On behalf of Ontario Energy Network, our members, sponsors, and supporters, congratulations to all of our 2023 OEN Scholarship Program winners!