Elica Efremova
Ambassador
Elica is completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at the University of Western Ontario. Elica loves science and research, and she is constantly searching for ways to get involved in exciting research initiatives or health-related projects.
As a female student in science, Elica has grown very passionate about the presence and roles of women in STEM. This is why Elica was thrilled to join as an Ambassador for the Women in STEM research team at projectEQUITY. Elica is excited to work with the team of bright individuals at projectEQUITY in order to shed light and better understand the experiences of women in STEM-related fields. She hopes to empower and encourage all girls and young women who love science, technology, engineering, or math to realize their full potential.
Maya McDonald
Ambassador
Maya McDonald is a graduate of the University of Ottawa, where she completed her Bachelor of Social Sciences, with a specialization in political science.
Maya is an Ambassador for our Workplace Dynamics team, and aims to be an advocate for women in the workplace.
Ana Dukoska
Ambassador & Team Lead
Ana is an Accounts Receivable specialist at Booz Allen Hamilton in Washington, DC. She completed her college degree with honors in Banking Management at the European University in Macedonia and moved to U.S. to further her education and professional career in accounting. Ana has several years of experience in accounting for various construction companies. Prior to her current role, Ana was the Budget Coordinator for Ferring Pharmaceutical.
Ana’s passion is in charitable causes and advocating for children with special needs. She is the Project Director to UMD’s Ajvar5K that raises funds for efforts that support individuals with special needs in Macedonia. Ana is also passionate about advocating for women rights and gender equity. In June of 2017, Ana launched a program called “Women in Leadership,” with a mission to empower women and mentor young girls to take on leadership roles.
Ana is the Team Lead for the Violence Against Women research team at projectEQUITY. She strives to make a positive impact and be the voice for those that are not loud enough to influence change. Ana’s guide in life is: “You have never really lived, until you have done something for someone that can never repay you.” – Mother Theresa.
Maria Pesevski
Ambassador
Maria holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University in Molecular Biology and Genetics, with a minor in Origins. Maria also completed her Master of Science degree in Biology from McMaster University. She is currently a PhD student at McMaster University in the Biology program, specializing in evolutionary developmental biology (evodevo) using the fruit fly as the model organism.
Maria joined projectEQUITY because she is passionate about gender equity. Maria is especially passionate about empowering women in STEM and would like to see fair access to education for everyone within and outside the Western world.
Amanda Prete
Ambassador
Amanda is currently employed full time as a legal assistant. She graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Criminology in 2016 and aspires to go to law school in the future. The focus of her studies was based mostly on the current function of criminal law in Canada, the role of women in criminal law and politics and some focus on missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
projectEQUITY has provided Amanda with a basis to begin to create measures that ensure equality for all women in the workplace. This issue has become extremely important to Amanda over the years, given that she hopes to be employed in a profession that predominately employs males. It is her hope that in the near future, male-dominated professions provide equal opportunities for women.
Victoria Prete
Ambassador
Victoria is an undergraduate student at York University studying Law and Society. The study of law and society has opened many areas of interest, one specifically being gender equality. The focus of Victoria's studies speaks to how society has a direct impact on our laws, and how individuals contribute to various concerns such as inequality and racism. Victoria's studies also include how we, as individuals, can be the solution to many of these issues.
Joining projectEQUITY was a no-brainer. Victoria has always been passionate about women’s rights and gender equity. projectEQUITY has provided Victoria with an outlet to research solutions to the many inequalities women face on a daily basis, allowing her to exercise her desire for gender equality in society. Victoria is currently an Ambassador for the Workplace Dynamics research team at projectEQUITY.
Ashlee Babcock
Ambassador & Team Lead
Ashlee completed her Honours Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy, and Psychology at the University of Guelph in 2014. After several years of traveling abroad, learning and working with different cultures, Ashlee returned to Ontario to complete her Masters degree in International Public Policy at the Balsillie School of International Affairs in 2017. Following completion, Ashlee began working for the City of Toronto as a Policy Advisor in the male-dominated field of politics.
Ashlee is the Team Lead for the Workplace Dynamics research team at projectEQUITY. Ashlee is passionate about women’s rights and gender equity in the workplace – considering dress codes and workplace uniforms, divergent career trajectories for women and men in both promotions and career positions, and the details in differing communication techniques of women in the work force. As Ashlee works with projectEQUITY, she continues to research gender equity and women’s rights both locally and internationally, to develop the big picture and determine international best practices to bring home to Toronto.
Clare Xu
Ambassador
Clare is currently working as a Digital Consultant for Arup Canada. Clare holds a bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, with a minor in Biomedical Engineering from McMaster University. Clare was a member of BMO's Millenial Leaders Advisory Council this past year. The purpose of this Advisory Council is to help women in underrepresented roles advance, ultimately promoting more inclusive workplaces.
Clare has always been an active member in promoting diversity, inclusion, and gender equity both on campus throughout her university career, and in the workplace. Through her involvement with projectEQUITY, Clare will continue to promote these ideals. Clare is an Ambassador for the Women in STEM research team at projectEQUITY and aims to offer insight and support in this area. Clare has always passionately advocated for women in engineering and technology. Through her research and as an advocate for STEM, Clare hopes to emphasize the importance of introducing girls and young women to STEM and help them realize their capacity in the industry in order to foster careers in these fields.
Daniella Naumovski
Ambassador
Daniella is an elementary school teacher, who is very passionate about gender equity. Women's rights and gender equity are topics that she studied in university through her minor in sociology. Daniella is deeply committed to the vision behind projectEQUITY and strongly believes that we need to ensure women are granted equal opportunity in every facet of their lives. She believes it is critical that we tackle and disrupt the gendered ideologies and expectations that women and girls are subjected to.
Daniella is an Ambassador for the Violence Against Women team at projectEQUITY. She notes that sexual harassment is very contentious, yet is a common reality for many women in the workplace, only recently being publicized due to more and more women who are coming forward and standing up against their harassers, and the systems that fail to protect them. Sexual harassment is not a new phenomenon but something that requires further research and critique so that we can get to the bottom of it. Daniella is confident in projectEQUITY's mission and the profound difference she can make through this campaign.
The Team
Zaklina Rajkovska
Ambassador
Zaklina holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Master's Degree in Social Work, graduating with distinction. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, currently working for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, one of the largest health insurance providers in New Jersey. Zaklina has a lengthy background working in a psychiatric hospital. Her career has exposed her to people of all walks of life.
Zaklina is an Ambassador for the Workplace Dynamics research team at projectEQUITY. She joined projectEQUITY as an Ambassador, as she has a passion for leaving a footprint in this social movement. Zaklina says if there is anything that she can contribute to help this project advance, she would consider it a large success for herself and a small step towards improving the future for women that will come after us.
Ana Pancevska
Ambassador
Ana is currently studying full time to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Upon completion of the RN program, Ana plans to further her education to become an Advanced Practice Nurse specializing in Emergency Medicine. In addition to school, she also works part-time as a Patient Safety Assistant in the Emergency Department.
Ana was born and raised in Macedonia before moving to the US in 2001. She is particularly active in the Macedonian community in Metro Detroit, and has co-organized numerous humanitarian events to support Macedonia’s most under-served communities.
Ana is an Ambassador for the Women in STEM research team at projectEQUITY. As an Ambassador and future science-based nursing practitioner, Ana hopes to utilize this new role to educate and empower young women with an interest in science, technology, engineering, or math to make their voices heard in the STEM community.
Veronika Tomova
Ambassador
Veronika holds a Bachelor of Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and Diplomacy, having expertise in the domain of political affairs, developmental models and societal systems. She also holds a Master of Science in the field of Comparative Local Development.
Veronika has professional experience and understanding of the corporate, governmental and civil society sector. Veronika is currently the Macedonia Country Director of the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD), the Co-Founder and Economic Development Specialist of the Social Innovation Lab, a Coordinator of European and IPA Projects, as well as the Program Manager for the International Independent Financial Report ‘The European Times.'
Her extracurricular engagements include involvement in the Young Global Changer to the Circular Economy Task Force within the Sustainable Development Policy Field of the G20 Global Solutions Summit, Shaper of the Global Shaper Skopje Hub of the World Economic Forum, Goodwill Ambassador for Empowerment of Women and Youth of the International Human Rights Commission, and Young Leader of the Presidential School of Leadership “Ivanov” and “Nizami Ganjavi” International Center.
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Veronika is an Ambassador for the Women in STEM research team at projectEQUITY.
Tahreem Butt
Ambassador
Tahreem graduated from the University of Toronto in Civil Engineering. She is currently a General Manager for her father’s business.
Tahreem moved to Canada with her family in 2010. Her undergraduate years played the most prominent role in shaping the person she is today. Throughout her undergraduate career, Tahreem was able to explore her love for math and sciences in a stimulating environment. The University of Toronto Aeronautics Team was Tahreem's favorite club for practicing interdisciplinary concepts. Tahreem was involved in creating art. While her art had been limited to drawing, painting and sculpture, Tahreem has recently found new inspiration in composing music digitally.
Tahreem is an Ambassador for the Violence Against Women research team at projectEQUITY. Tahreem is very passionate about women's rights and gender equity, which influenced her decision to join this initiative. After experiencing challenges, Tahreem made a decision to be strong for herself. This initiative means that Tahreem can make constructive and valuable contributions for other women, too.
Angela Gjekanovikj
Ambassador
Angela is a recent graduate from the University of Missouri, holding a Master's in Political Science and a Graduate Certificate in Global Public Affairs. Angela completed her Bachelor's degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University, majoring in International Business with Marketing Management in the Food Industry. Living and working in different countries has allowed Angela to experience gender roles in various societies. Throughout her university career, Angela excelled in working on different projects, conducting research, and literature reviews by using various databases as well as gathering and analyzing data, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Angela joined projectEQUITY to contribute towards gender equity through producing an in-depth analysis on the issue. Angela is an Ambassador for the Workplace Dynamics research team at projectEQUITY. Angela is especially interested in gender equity in the workplace because women spend a lot of time at work. A woman's job is their source of income, thus many stay quiet if there are any issues.
