Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta (Girls Inc.), in partnership with Finning Canada, is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of the Finning Canada STEM Awards: Lalithya Ravi and Tanya Jivani.

These outstanding young women from the Wood Buffalo region have each been awarded a $3,500 scholarship to support their pursuit of post-secondary education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The awards help remove financial barriers and advance equity and representation in STEM fields, where women remain significantly underrepresented.

The Finning Canada STEM Awards are designed to empower young women who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to making STEM more inclusive. Since increasing the scholarship value in 2021, the program has continued to support emerging leaders who are shaping the future of innovation, research, and technology.

“Lalithya Ravi and Tanya Jivani exemplify the curiosity, leadership, and determination that the Finning STEM Awards were created to support,” said Wes Tanner, Director of Service Operations and Wood Buffalo Community Investment Committee member. “We are proud to stand alongside Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta in helping young women pursue meaningful careers in STEM and look forward to seeing the impact these recipients will make in their fields.”

About the 2025 Recipients:

Lalithya Ravi is a first-year Systems Design Engineering student at the University of Waterloo. A long-time participant and mentor with Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta, Lalithya has been actively involved in Operation SMART and mentoring programs, where she supported younger girls in building confidence, self-expression, and a sense of belonging in STEM spaces.

Beyond Girls Inc., Lalithya is deeply committed to STEM education and accessibility. She is the Co-Founder and Vice President of W. Women in Tech, leading hands-on workshops in coding, biology, and engineering for elementary students. Her dedication to innovation and leadership has been recognized nationally, including earning two National Bronze Medals at the Canada-Wide Science Fair and being named an NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Canada West Coast Award winner. Her most recent science fair project, Fuelling the Future, explored optimizing green hydrogen production to advance renewable energy solutions.

“For many years I’ve worked with Girls Inc, both as a mentor and through Operation SMART, where I’ve had the privilege of working alongside young girls to build their confidence in STEM and help them discover their potential. Through sessions focused on positive affirmation, confidence building, and self-expression, I’ve learned to lead with empathy and create supportive spaces where girls can embrace their capabilities and recognize their own strength. Beyond my work with Girls Inc, I’m deeply committed to making STEM accessible to everyone.” 

Tanya Jivani is pursuing a degree in Neuroscience at the University of Alberta. Her interest in STEM began in elementary school through Girls Inc.’s Operation SMART program and hands-on classroom learning. During high school, Tanya developed a passion for interdisciplinary science, which led her to neuroscience, a field that blends biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology.

Tanya has also been a strong advocate for increased female representation in STEM. Through school clubs and peer-led initiatives, she helped create supportive spaces for young women entering post-secondary STEM programs. She credits mentorship and community as key factors in her success and hopes to encourage other girls to explore STEM pathways with confidence.

“My love for STEM has driven me to advocate for greater female representation, both in high school and post-secondary. Joining clubs and finding like-minded peers made the transition to university so much easier, helping me find my place to continue doing what I love with friends by my side. This scholarship empowers me to continue growing in STEM while encouraging other girls to pursue their passions and recognize the various support systems around them.”

“Lalithya and Tanya reflect everything the Finning STEM Awards stand for,” said Katlin Okonkwo, Interim Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta. “They are not only excelling academically, but also lifting others up through mentorship, advocacy, and leadership. Their journeys show girls across our region that STEM careers are attainable, impactful, and deeply connected to community.” 

The Finning Canada STEM Awards reflect Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta’s ongoing commitment to supporting girls and young women as they break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and pursue careers in STEM. Through partnerships like Finning Canada, Girls Inc. continues to open doors for the next generation of innovators and change-makers.

For more information about the Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta STEM programs or to learn about future scholarship opportunities, visit: https://www.girlsincofnorthernalberta.org/finning-canada-stem-scholarship.

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About Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta
Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through direct service and advocacy. Our holistic approach equips girls to surmount gender, economic, and societal challenges, fostering their growth into healthy, educated, and independent individuals. For more information, visit www.girlsincofnorthernalberta.org.