Michelle Liu (she/they) is a Queer and racialized engineer, researcher, and soon-to-be lawyer using equity, diversity, and inclusion frameworks to critically examine the interactions between technological designs and engineering professional norms. Michelle earned their Honours BASc and MASc in civil engineering from the University of Waterloo, after which they worked in construction and design for various national and multi-national consulting engineering firms. Michelle went on to pursue their law degree (JD) and engineering PhD simultaneously at the University of Ottawa. Michelle conducts their doctoral research between the Faculty of Engineering and the Centre for Law, Technology, and Society under the joint supervision of Dr. Beatriz Martin-Perez in civil engineering and Professor Jena McGill in the common law section. In all their academic endeavours, Michelle prioritizes mentoring and supporting equity-seeking students as well as students interested in interdisciplinary research. Engineers Canada named Michelle one of thirteen EDI Leaders in Engineering Workplaces in 2021-2022. Michelle’s volunteer work in both the engineering and legal professions include serving as a Councillor of Professional Engineers Ontario, Chair of the Waterloo Recent Engineering Alumni Council, Co-Chair of the of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Task Force, mentor with the Ontario Network for Women in Engineering, and member of the Equity Advisory Group of the Law Society of Ontario. Michelle also co-created and co-funds the Liu-Kennington Award for the 2SLGBTQ+ Engineering Community, the first university-level scholarship for 2SLGBTQ+ engineering students in Canada. Michelle is a recipient of both the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (NSERC stream) and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship for their PhD research and leadership. As a law student, Michelle received the Rovinescu Award of Excellence for Community Service, the Torkin Manes LLP Academic Excellence and Community Service Award, the Carole Workman Leadership Scholarship, and the County of Carleton Law Association Scholarship. Michelle graduated magna cum laude from the JD program in June 2023 and received the Common Law Section Dean’s Award. In February 2023, Michelle became the first openly 2SLGBTQ+ identifying Councillor (board member) of Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), the body regulating over 100,000 licensed engineers in the province. Michelle led PEO to host its first pride event in the organization’s 101-year history in June 2023.

Catherine is a proud franco-ontarien that was born and raised in Ottawa.  She obtained a Juris Doctor in 2019 and a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics (with a Minor in Law) in 2016 — all completed in French at the University of Ottawa.  She also played varsity hockey with the Gee-Gees during her undergraduate studies.

Since 2020, Catherine solely provides services in the area of Wills and Estates, and now advises clients under her very own professional corporation.  She also delivers estate planning workshops for both federal public service employees and Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers approaching retirement.

Shaunt Tokmakjian is a proud graduate from the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa. During his time as a student, he co-founded a local charity golf tournament and the Business Law Clinic at the Faculty of Law.

Following his graduation in 2014, Shaunt became a board member of the University of Ottawa Alumni Association, and took on the role as a member of the Association’s Executive team and Chair of Governance. In this role, he has worked closely with the Association and the Alumni Relations Office on various successful initiatives to support alumni. Shaunt regularly attends and contributes to alumni events in Ottawa and Toronto. In 2020, Shaunt was appointed to the University of Ottawa Board of Governors and currently sits as a member of the Board of Governors audit committee. 

Shaunt has held various board positions outside of the University as well, including most recently as President of his condominium board in the GTA, representing the interests of over 200 units. 

Currently, Shaunt is Legal Counsel, Compliance and Privacy Officer at Canaccede Financial Group. Through his practice in business and law, Shaunt has gained experience working in the automotive, finance, telecommunications, and the artificial intelligence industries. Through his practice in business and law, Shaunt has gained experience working in the automotive, finance, telecommunications, and the artificial intelligence industries.

Shaunt is a focused leader and a strategic thinker who enjoys collaborating with others to find the right answers. 

Kavi Sivasothy is a litigator practicing in Toronto for Gowling WLG. His practice includes commercial and class action litigation, cybersecurity breach coaching, privacy-related advisory work and anti-money laundering compliance auditing. In addition to his practice, Kavi also dedicates time to pro bono initiatives and mentorship where possible. As a first-generation lawyer, being able to pass on some of the lessons learned through law school and his professional career remains a key priority.