The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) announced the 10 recipients of their Inaugural WIN Canadian Collision Repair Student Scholarship Program.  Designated as its first ‘Northern Star scholarship’ designation, these recipients were chosen from an extensive number of student applications, and the winning candidates were rewarded and divided $7500 in total scholarship funds.

Recipients are chosen by its Scholarship Committee based on the applications submitted. High school or post-secondary students, enrolled in a collision repair program or a registered apprentice working at a collision centre, were eligible

“Our inaugural Northern Star scholarship program is designed to encourage women with an interest in the industry to continue on that path, as well as equip those who have demonstrated a commitment to pursuing a career in collision repair, says Brandi Brydges, Chair, Canada Integration committee. “Its recipients will be awarded mentorship opportunities, fellow student engagement benefits, a virtual pass to our annual WIN North American Conference, as well as scholarship funds to help them along with their collision repair education.’

All award recipients and applicants will be eligible to partake in WIN’s mentoring program, where they participate in student engagement group calls and share best practices with collision industry professionals as well as their peers. These networking groups support new female entrants to the collision repair field and hopefully create lifetime friendships that further WIN goals for longer term career advancement and retention.

WIN 2026 Northern Star Scholarship $1000 Recipients

• Sophia Branco-Silva, Centennial College, Whitby, Ontario
• Amelia Desbiens, Central Memorial High School, Calgary, Alberta
• Kianna Edison. St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Kenora, Ontario
• Aleisha Smith, Okanagan College, Kelowna, British Columbia
• Teila Wandowich, Red River Polytech, Winnipeg, Manitoba

WIN 2026 Northern Star Scholarship $500 Recipients

• Torrie Crowe, Southern Alberta, Institute of Technology, Calgary, Alberta
• Shanika Dick, Centennial College, Toronto, Ontario
• Cassandra Foy, Red River Polytech, St. Andrews, Manitoba
• Jordan Pomanski, Red River Polytech, Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Evelyn Torres, Centennial College, Toronto, Ontario

The mission of WIN is to support and enhance the role of women in the collision repair industry, promoting education, professional advancement and networking.

To learn more about WIN, the Women’s Industry Network’s scholarship program, go to: https://thewomensindustrynetwork.site-ym.com/page/Scholarship.