The annual YWCA Women of Distinction Awards Gala brings together women and girls from across the Hamilton community to celebrate their leadership, innovation and advocacy. On March 5, the event hosted five incredible members of our Fireball Family.
Below, meet YWCA award recipient, Shelby Amponsah, and nominees Jocelyn Kuntsi, Shari van de Pol, Maryam Aramesh and Maryam Emami.
Shelby Amponsah ’22, Outreach Team Lead, Bachelor of Technology grad and current Master of Manufacturing Engineering – Biomanufacturing student, McMaster Engineering
Working alongside the Faculty of Engineering’s outreach team, Shelby has played a key role in reimagining STEM outreach at McMaster by incorporating culturally relevant and equity‐focused programming. Under her leadership, the Faculty’s outreach has engaged over 32,000 youth each year, with targeted initiatives like the Black Outreach STEM Series (BOSS) reaching 5,000+ Black youth since 2023. Workshops such as the Kente Cloth Design Series merge scientific principles with cultural heritage, breaking down systemic barriers to STEM for marginalized communities.
Shelby’s dedication has garnered national attention. Her work contributed to McMaster Engineering receiving the 2024 Actua Experience Award for its Black Youth in STEM Program. Whether mentoring 35+ student instructors or partnering with over 100 community organizations, Shelby places diversity, inclusion and cultural pride at the heart of every initiative. In doing so, she is lighting the path for young people, especially women, girls and gender‐diverse individuals, to see themselves as the next generation of changemakers in STEM.
Jocelyn Kuntsi, Engineering Physics & Management Student
Jocelyn is transforming the future of accessible design. Driven by her passion for inclusion and working closely with individuals with physical disabilities, she co‐created WheelBeats, a web app that centralizes venue accessibility information. This commitment earned WheelBeats a national Dyson runner‐up distinction and led Jocelyn to present her work to Hydrocephalus Canada.
As a 2023 Schulich Leader who also mentors first‐year women in engineering, Jocelyn devotes her time to uplifting underrepresented voices across STEM. Her leadership, from founding a scholarship clinic for rural students, to volunteering with multiple campus groups, exemplifies her belief that engineering can (and should) be a catalyst for social good. Through her visionary work, Jocelyn is showing the next generation of innovators what’s possible when empathy and expertise unite.
Shari van de Pol ‘01, Computer Engineering, Founder & CEO of CATTLEytics
Bridging computer engineering with veterinary medicine, Shari van de Pol is at the forefront of agri‐tech innovation. Her start‐up, CATTLEytics, has revolutionized dairy farming with a digital twin platform that uses AI, machine learning and real‐time analytics to boost animal welfare and optimize sustainability. Recognized with a 2024 Tech for Good Award, her work is reshaping how farmers manage herd health, predicting issues before they become critical and reducing environmental impact.
Shari’s drive for inclusivity is evident in how she advocates for women and gender‐diverse individuals in traditionally male‐dominated fields like agriculture and tech. She fosters an inclusive culture within her company and mentors emerging women entrepreneurs. By combining advanced technology, humane veterinary practice, and a commitment to equity, Shari is leading the way for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Maryam Aramesh, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Maryam is an accomplished teacher, researcher, innovator and entrepreneur. As Program Director for the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute‘s Industrial Training Program, she has made manufacturing training opportunities accessible to equity-seeking groups such as women, newcomers, laid-off and under-utilized workers and Indigenous peoples.
Her research and innovation activity, which focuses on accessible, affordable and sustainable manufacturing practices, directly supports multiple United Nations Sustainability and Development Goals, especially in creating clean water, sustainable production and resilient communities. She holds several patents and is the founder of AraMill Inc., where she is turning her ground-breaking ideas into transferable technologies.
Maryam Emami ’08, Chemical Engineering, Founder & CEO of AI Materia
Maryam is a lifelong innovator at the forefront of materials science and AI. With over 15 years of experience in advanced materials and manufacturing, she has transformed how industries create, utilize, and conceptualize materials. A Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from McMaster University, Maryam combines technical excellence with practical insight to bridge innovation and application.
At AI Materia, she leads a world-class team developing a proprietary AI platform that accelerates material discovery, optimization and deployment, setting new standards for efficiency and innovation. Beyond her leadership, Maryam is a mentor and thought leader, inspiring collaboration, driving sustainable solutions and shaping the future of technology and business.
