Celebrating Women in Space

As we mark International Women’s Month, we are reminded of the importance of celebrating women’s contributions to the space industry. From the pioneering astronauts who broke down barriers to the talented engineers, scientists, and leaders who are driving innovation today, women have played a vital role in shaping the course of space.

One of the ways we kicked off our celebrations was by sponsoring the Montréal Science Centre Foundation’s 8th edition of Women and Girls of Science. The event welcomed young women and girls to participate in talks, workshops, and demos designed to ignite an interest in science and technology related careers. Our team enjoyed connecting with the young participants and sharing their love of STEM. This event was a great reminder of the importance of inspiring and supporting the next generation of women in STEM, and it set the tone for our continued celebrations throughout the month.

At MDA Space, we are committed to supporting and elevating the achievements of the women who are helping to propel our mission forward. Through their stories, experiences, and perspectives, they inspire and empower others to pursue careers in the space industry and to make a difference in their own communities. We are incredibly proud to shine a light on just a few of the women at MDA Space who are driving our company and industry.

Dominique Boisvert | Director Production Mechanical Manufacturing 

“There are always challenges to face, but when you believe in something and you convince the people close to you that the change is necessary, you then get an army of people ready to transform the world with you.”

Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly shaped your journey?

When someone says it is impossible, I’m the kind of person who will do anything I can to prove the opposite. Early in my career, I was always trying to please my boss, doing what I was told but not what I should be doing. Once, I was told that engineering was not my thing and that I was not suited for managing people. That was a real blow to my self-esteem. I embarked on a soul-searching journey, a road trip across Canada, getting to better know myself along the road. When I came back, I got a new job and within a year, I was receiving recognition from my peers and company for the work performed. I came to realize that I didn’t have to care so much about what others were thinking of me, but I had to stay true to who I am.

Vanessa Lewis | Supervisor, Mission Operations 

“This role has also enabled me to take part in the next steps for mission operations and how it can continue to evolve in the space industry. Its dynamic nature results in new challenges every day when I am constantly learning and meeting new people.”

In what ways do you believe female leadership impacts MDA Space’s culture and performance?

I believe having female leadership at MDA Space impacts the culture by empowering other women and reducing the hesitation that they would be breaking a barrier. It also helps to bring diverse perspectives to our day-to-day challenges, foster engagement and drive a change in team dynamics that leads to continuous growth. I believe female leadership supports an inclusive culture and forward-thinking solutions. This benefits the overall performance as everyone feels heard, valued and empowered to do their best work.

Heidi Harms | Director of Contracts

“Trust in yourself, in your abilities and what you bring to a team or organization. Be genuine in how you engage with others and build relationships. Keep asking questions and learning, every day. Remember to take care of your own needs and have fun!”

Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly shaped your journey? 

Contracts management professional was not on my radar when I first started my career. A member of the leadership team saw potential in me and was my initial sponsor for a contracts management role. I was offered the opportunity to learn and grow with that leader’s experienced and knowledgeable team. This first step was fundamental in setting me on the path to where I am today, leading a team of dedicated and incredibly capable contracts professionals.

The achievements of Vanessa, Heidi, and Dominique were on full display at the Women in Defence and Security (WiDS) Annual Award Breakfast. Vanessa and Heidi were recognized at the event as Remarkable Leaders by WiDS. Dominique was previously recognized by Via Satellite in their edition of Celebrating Women in Satellite 2025. This recognition is a testament to their outstanding contributions to the industry.

Nancy Hill | Director of Safety and Mission Assurance

“Having female leaders in all areas and levels of a high-performing organization helps shatter the myth that women are not up to highly technical roles in a demanding work environment. It lets younger generations see the opportunities that exist and set their dreams higher. Diversity of thought, experience and perspective is necessary to create the top end designs that MDA Space delivers, and having diverse leaders enshrine that principle.”

What strategies have you used to overcome barriers specific to women in our industry?

It took me a long time to get to this point in my career—but I address people who may have said something that I see as biased or misogynistic one-on-one. If I can teach them how their words or actions are perceived, then they will recognize how to be more inclusive in their choices going forward. Most people are not malicious, and feedback/guidance has a better result. Before I reached that point in my career, I used mentors and sponsors both within and outside my organization. These people (male and female) gave me independent feedback and provided guidance on navigating through those barriers. Sometimes the right choice is trying a different approach, or getting HR involved and sometimes it means leaving that situation. Having a network is important. Don’t let the barriers you face diminish your self-worth by struggling alone.

This International Women’s Day, Nancy spoke alongside industry leaders to discuss how to accelerate action in the space and aerospace industries at #InspireHER, hosted by Women in Aerospace Canada (WIA) and the Ontario Aerospace Council (OAC).

We are grateful for the opportunity to share the achievements and perspectives of Dominique Boisvert, Vanessa Lewis, Heidi Harms and Nancy Hill. In our next article, we will continue the conversation and introduce more women who are shaping the future of the space industry at MDA Space.