Officer Team
In the CFES, there are three different levels of governance: the General Plenary, composed of representatives from each member school, the Board of Directors and the National Executive. All three of these, along with the entire officer team, play an important role in ensuring the long-term stability and capability of the organization, and work together to ensure a successful federation for all stakeholders.
To view an officer’s biography and role description, click on their photo.
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Engineering Students’ Society of the University of Alberta
VP External: Farhan Khan / Maha Adnan
Engineering Students’ Society of the University of Alberta
VP External: Farhan Khan / Maha Adnan
Engineering Students’ Society of the University of Alberta
VP External: Farhan Khan / Maha Adnan
Engineering Students’ Society of the University of Alberta
VP External: Farhan Khan / Maha Adnan
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Shanleigh McKeown
The West Ambassador is responsible for facilitating communication between CFES and the members on the West Region. The President of the Western Engineering Students’ Societies Team (WESST) holds the role of West Ambassador, and represents the Western Region as a voting member on the CFES Board of Directors. The West Ambassador also assists the rest of the CFES Officer team with meeting federation objectives, special projects, and mandates.
Hello my dudes – My name is Shanleigh & I’m entering my second year as West Ambassador & WESST President. A few of my talents include gardening, making perfect crispy tofu every time, and finding good indie bands. In my spare time I love going to live shows (support your local art community!), learning new instruments, and drinking an obscene amount of water. Some of my proudest achievements (sticking with the theme here) are placing 3rd in Junior Design at CEC 2018 and professionally publishing my first piece of poetry!
Action Plans:
- Standardize regional partnership agreements
- Improve voting member pre-conference preparation
Wendy Vasquez
The President is the captain of the organization and this individual’s role can be broken down into three broad categories: direction, support, and representation. Through synthesis of existing long term plans of the Federation and the perspective of the CFES constituents, the President spearheads the overarching vision of the Federation. This vision is, in turn, converted into goals that are executed by the hardworking members of the Officer Team, who are supported by the President’s guidance and leadership. Lastly, where there may be goals fulfilled through advocacy, the President is the lead representative of the Federation to these external organizations, such as Engineers Canada.
Ultimately, the CFES aims to serve undergraduate engineering student societies and improve the undergraduate student experience. It is the responsibility of the President to ensure that these two aims are guiding principles in all CFES activities.
Hello, all of you! My name is Wendy and I’m the president of the CFES. Previously, I was involved as Vice-President Academic Affairs and then decided to continue in the organization for a second term! Prior to the CFES, I was also involved with CRÉIQ, which is the provincial engineering student association in Quebec, as Executive Vice-President and President. Fun facts: I am of Peruvian origin and my totem animal is the panda! Looking forward to meeting you at our events. Until then, take good care of yourself!
Action Plans:
- Increase the engagement of our members and ensure that the CFES reflects the diversity of Canadian engineering students.
- Further develop the advocacy portfolio of the CFES to improve the representation of students’ interests to key stakeholders such as Engineers Canada and Engineering Deans Canada.
- And of course, lead and support the Officer Team in the pursuit of our objectives this year!
Sierra Sparks
The Vice President Academic (VPA) is the executive member responsible for addressing the academic concerns of Canadian engineering students, and acts on behalf of the CFES to national or regional organizations concerned with Canadian engineering education. The VPA is responsible for framing a national image of the academic needs of Canadian engineering students. This responsibility includes the upkeep of the CFES Document of Stances, for which they are to research the implications of potential stances and present any appropriate stances on behalf of the National Executive. They are expected to develop an understanding or academic initiatives, integrated work experience, curriculum content, accreditation standards, and potential future changes impacting engineering education, and communicate these effectively with members.
Venedict Tamondong
The Vice President Services (VPS) is the executive member responsible for providing and overseeing resources and services for members. This includes communicating with and acting as a resource to the Activity Managers for Congress, the Canadian Engineering Competition, the Conference on Diversity in Engineering, President’s Meeting, and Lean 6 Sigma. The VPS is also responsible for ensuring that the responsibilities outlined in the Activity Agreements are completed. Other services that are coordinated through the VPS are the partnership program, the CFES newsletter, and initiatives for National Engineering Month. These services provide valuable resources to the members and encourage the interaction of engineering student leaders across Canada.
Hello Guys, Gals, and non-Binary Pals! My name is Ven. I’m originally from Edmonton, AB, and now study in the heart of the Okanagan! Before being elected to the CFES National Executive, I served as the EngSoc UBCO’s 12th President, a former VP External, and as the WESST VP Finance and Administration. Outside the classroom, I love music, and just getting outdoors and exploring! My engineering degree has been anything but ordinary and it still feels weird that the end of the tunnel is in sight. I’m incredibly excited and honoured to be spending my final year serving you as your VP Services this year, and I can’t wait to (hopefully) meet you soon!
Action Plans:
- Bridge the Internal Operations of the Officer and Activity Teams, streamlining their work into a cohesive and efficient environment.
- Explore new and exciting opportunities for member learning using federal partners and specific interests for webinars and resources
- Continue Project Magazine development with a stronger core working team and uniformity in operation
Ian Currie
The Vice President Finance & Administration (VPFA) acts as the Treasurer for the CFES, managing all bank accounts, signing authority, and general finances. This includes managing the member’s and their fees, the Officer and Small School Travel Fund, budgeting and tracking expenses for internal meetings and special projects, and where required, providing assistance the Federation’s multiple Activities.
In addition to finances, the VPFA manages changes to the various Governing Documents (Policy Manual, Constitution, Document of Stances, By-Laws, and Activity Agreements), and ensures they are readily available.
Finally, the VPFA plans the timing and content for Board of Directors’ Meetings, and working alongside the Administrative Commissioner, ensures the documental organization of the CFES is maintained.
Hey friends, my name is Ian. Before joining the CFES, I was a contributor to the McMaster Engineering Society as the VP Academic, then the VP Finance. I love student organizations, so if you ever want to talk about things your eng soc is going through I’m all ears. Ask me about bicycles, running, politics, or the colour mauve and I’ll get excited. Looking forward to a great year!
Action Plans:
- Develop support and accountability practices for activities
- Create systems for financial stability for the CFES for years to come
- Support eng socs navigating their way through uncertain finances this year
Amy Gullins
The Ontario Ambassador is responsible for facilitating communication between the CFES and the members of the Ontario Region. The Ontario Ambassador is elected at Congress by the members of the Ontario Region and also holds the position of Director of CFES Affairs for the Engineering Student Societies’ Council of Ontario, [ESSCO]. The Ontario Ambassador represents the Ontario Region as a voting member of the CFES Board of Directors. In addition, the Ontario Ambassador also supports the rest of the CFES Officer team with Federation objectives and mandates.
Hi everyone, my name is Amy and I am delighted and excited to be the Ontario Ambassador this year! Before this, I was the VP External, a representative for my program and organized a formal all for the McMaster Engineering Society ( in different years because I’m not that productive). When I’m procrastinating my school work I love to watch TV shows, any and all of them, look at pictures of quokkas (if you don’t know what that is, google it and you won’t be sorry) and seeing/petting good puppers. I also participated in the Mac Eng Musical for 3 years and loved every minute of it because I love singing mediocrely and meeting new people which is just one of the reasons I’m looking forward to this year with CFES: I get to meet all of you!
Action Plans:
- Ensuring Ontario members have a large amount of base understanding of CFES allowing them to feel prepared and engaged
- Increasing communication to members to effectively and accurately represent their views
- Facilitating more opportunities for sharing information between EngSocs to increase collaboration and best practice knowledge.
Marianne Lee
The primary role of the National Councillors (“NCs”) is to provide institutional knowledge to the organization. The National Councillors have typically been involved in CFES for several years and can speak to projects and initiatives undertaken by various different executive teams and their successes or failures. This is particularly useful when considering the annual turnover rate of the membership and officer team. Aside from providing this insight, the National Councillors also undertake various projects according to their strengths and preferences, and other miscellaneous tasks throughout the year as needed. They each have a vote at the CFES Board of Directors.
Hello! I’m Marianne, one of the incoming National Councillors. Prior to this exciting role, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in many engineering student organizations throughout my schooling thus far. I was an executive for the uOttawa engsoc for 2 years as Manager of Translations and V.-P. External, as well as being a student representative on the board. Last year, I took on the role of Bilingualism Commissioner of the CFES! I love cats(especially my roommate’s cat, Mitzy) and going to concerts as much as possible(the pandemic has made that a little hard…)! I’m very open and love discussing new ideas, don’t be shy to email me ([email protected]) or say hi to me if you see me at a conference!
Action Plans:
- Advancing the CFES as a bilingual organization in terms quality of service
- Clean up policy regarding bilingualism and translations and its impacts on all parts of the CFES operating structure (I also plan on reviewing other aspects of policy that have been overlooked)
- Support the team as best I can and give insights based on my knowledge and experience
Dalton Killorn
The primary role of the National Councillors (“NCs”) is to provide institutional knowledge to the organization. The National Councillors have typically been involved in CFES for several years and can speak to projects and initiatives undertaken by various different executive teams and their successes or failures. This is particularly useful when considering the annual turnover rate of the membership and officer team. Aside from providing this insight, the National Councillors also undertake various projects according to their strengths and preferences, and other miscellaneous tasks throughout the year as needed. They each have a vote at the CFES Board of Directors.
Hi everyone, my name’s Dalton! This year I’m one of your National Councilors and am a Co-Chair for CEC 2021. Born and raised on PEI, I moved to Fredericton to get a taste of the big city. In my free time, I love playing board games, running, playing/watching hockey, and lately catching up on tv shows. I can’t wait to meet and work with you this year!
Action Plans:
- Formalize and improve upon internal accountability.
- Optimize the distribution of funds from the small school travel fund.
- Explore opportunities for enhancing professional development opportunities at conferences.
Emily Secnik
The Vice-President International’s role within CFES centers around the development and sustainability of our relationships with our partner student organizations, those being- Board of European Students of Technology (BEST), and National Association of Engineering Student Councils (NAESC). The goal of this role is to continue to bring insight to our organization from our global partners, as well as provide support to their organizations through constant communication.
Hello everyone! I’m Emily and I love pina coladas, long walks on the beach and running (particularly away from my problems). I love travelling and have visited 20+ countries. When I’m not trading patches (or sewing them on to my covies) you can catch me reading a good book, listening to 80s music or doing yoga. (I know I’m basic okay.) One of my proudest achievements is founding and co-produceding my universities first ever EngPlay! I’m excited to be your next VP International and Lean 6 Sigma Co-Chair.
Action Plans:
- Information sharing to member schools and CFES officers from our international partners
- Begin developing new partnerships
Engineering Students’ Society of the University of Alberta
VP External: Farhan Khan / Maha Adnan
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Engineering Students’ Society of the University of Alberta
VP External: Farhan Khan / Maha Adnan
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Engineering Students’ Society of the University of Alberta
VP External: Farhan Khan / Maha Adnan
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