Meet the People Behind the Project
Connect with the Project Coordinator, Advisory Committee and Project Consultant!
The Team Behind The Project
Meet the amazing team of people behind the WAGE – Gender Bias Project: Addressing Gender Bias in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem! Here you can read a bit about them, and even connect with them. Let’s keep the discussion going, reach out to us today!
This initiative is proudly sponsored by Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada.
Project Coordinator:
Catherine Iheme
Gender Bias Project Coordinator
For more information about the project or to get involved, reach out to our team:
📧 Email: ciheme@nlowe.org
📞 Phone: +1 (709) 701-0470
Advisory Committee:
Tammy Snook
Tammy Snook is a driven leader, entrepreneur, and advocate dedicated to creating opportunities and driving meaningful change. Hailing from Harbour Breton, Newfoundland and Labrador, she combines strategic vision, business acumen, and a relationships-first approach to drive meaningful change. As Founder of Rising Tide Consulting, she supports entrepreneurs, organizations, and change makers through services like strategic planning, pricing strategies, fractional project management, and business operations support. A Memorial University graduate with a Project Management designation, Tammy thrives on turning overwhelm into action. She is a passionate advocate and ambassador for women’s empowerment and is committed to amplifying their voices.
Julie Anne Dwyer, PhD
Julie Dwyer is a PhD candidate in health psychology, researcher, and entrepreneur recognized as one of the 2025 Most Powerful Women in Business for Atlantic Canada. With over a decade in academia, she teaches psychology at Memorial University while leading research on health equity, patient-centered care, and systemic reform. She is the founder of the Centre for Mindfulness, a consulting company that has provided psychoeducation and wellness training on mental health, performance, and burnout prevention. A sought-after speaker and media contributor, she brings a research-driven, practical approach to advancing gender equity, mental health, and workplace culture.
Maggie Courish
With a decade of experience in education fostering inclusion, collaboration, and growth, Maggie has spent the last three years coaching over one hundred early-stage tech startups at Genesis. Her deep commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEIB) initiatives has been instrumental in fostering a thriving and inclusive startup community. Maggie is passionate about delivering a people-first approach, ensuring every founder feels a true sense of belonging. She brings this wealth of experience to her mentorship, guiding entrepreneurs towards success while championing DEIB principles in the Newfoundland and Labrador tech ecosystem.
Constanza Safatle
Constanza Safatle is a trailblazing entrepreneur, mentor, and advocate, deeply committed to empowering immigrant women and driving social change through business. As the founder of Newbornlander, a social enterprise focused on sustainable baby accessories, she has created a platform that provides meaningful work, mentorship, and training to newcomer women in Newfoundland and Labrador. Constanza’s leadership and innovative approach to business have earned her recognition as a changemaker in her community and beyond.
Her advocacy efforts have led to significant policy changes, including the removal of barriers preventing immigrant entrepreneurs from incorporating businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador. This change has paved the way for many newcomers to contribute to the local economy and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
Dr. Susan Murray
Dr. Susan Murray’s career has taken her from rural schools to the UAE Prime Minister’s Office. As an adjunct professor at Memorial University and guest lecturer globally, she teaches graduate programs and executive education.
Her global consultancy spans six continents, working with private and public sector leaders on strategy, credibility, vision, and impact. As an executive coach, she strengthens leadership skills and strategic vision for senior leaders and teams worldwide. She is a featured speaker, panelist and author.
Susan has received multiple awards for her work, including Diversity Champion from the Women in Leadership Foundation and the NLOWE 2025 Excellence Award for Mentorship. She holds a Doctorate of Business in Leadership from Henley Business School (UK) and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Memorial University. She is a Gallup Strengths Coach and holds the Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D).
Nikitha Kendyala, PhD
Bronwyn Bridges, PhD
Bronwyn Bridges is the CEO and Co-Founder of PragmaClin®, a digital health company advancing neurological care through PRIMS®, an AI-driven assessment tool for Parkinson’s Disease. Named one of Atlantic Canada’s 30 Under 30 and Canada’s Female Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, she has secured over $2.5M in non-dilutive funding and built global partnerships with leading researchers. Currently completing her PhD in Pharmacy at Memorial University, Bronwyn brings deep scientific expertise and business acumen to the health tech space. Her leadership has positioned PragmaClin® as a key innovator in improving access to care, especially in underserved communities, while earning international recognition for both impact and scalability.
