From aspiring student to sustainability leader, Lise Morton, Vice President of Site Selection at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), credits her inspiring career in part to Shad Canada. 

This prestigious national program — which the NWMO has proudly sponsored for many years — hosts high-achieving high school students each summer at 21 university campuses across Canada, including a digital campus. It challenges participants with a rigorous, month-long STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) curriculum. Shad Canada is dedicated to molding the next generation of innovative leaders by focusing on real-world societal challenges.

In the early days of Shad in 1982, Morton was first exposed to a world where her passion for math and science could blossom into a career.

“Shad allowed me to understand that engineering was a career option that I might be interested in,” she explained. This early exposure was crucial, as it introduced her to the possibilities within the STEAM fields at a pivotal time in her education.

At the NWMO, we are responsible for implementing Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. Given the project's extended timelines, it is vital that we not only plan for today but also prepare future generations who will continue this important work.

That is why the NWMO supports educational initiatives like Shad Canada, which play a pivotal role in cultivating young minds to become the science leaders and innovators of tomorrow. By engaging with programs that challenge students to think critically and solve real-world problems, we are investing in a future where these bright minds will lead and sustain long-term environmental stewardship efforts like the project we are implementing.

Morton also highlighted the invaluable role of mentorship and networking during her time at Shad, which aligns with the NWMO's focus on community building and collaborative learning. She reminisced about being surrounded by like-minded peers and supportive mentors who were pivotal in her development.

“Coming from a small northern Ontario high school in the 1980s, when STEAM wasn’t even a known acronym, being at Shad was the first time that I felt like I was surrounded by people who were pursuing interesting and challenging areas of study,” she said.

Reflecting on her advice to current Shad participants, Morton emphasized the importance of fully engaging with the experience.

“Invest in the moment that's been given to you,” she advised, underscoring the importance of active participation to make the most out of the opportunities the Shad program affords every participant.