Dr. Bonnie Schmidt is the President and Founder of Let’s Talk Science, a national education charity established in 1991. With her background in physiology, she has led the organization in delivering impactful STEM programming to millions of youth and educators across Canada. Dr. Schmidt’s pioneering vision of engaging post-secondary students as volunteer role models has created over 55 outreach sites nationwide, involving tens of thousands of volunteers.

She was selected for this award due to her transformative leadership in STEM education and outreach, which has significantly advanced science literacy and engagement in Canada. Her commitment to equity and public engagement has positioned Let’s Talk Science as a bridge between the Science, Technology & Innovation ecosystem and the education system. Dr. Schmidt’s leadership in establishing national collaborations, co-founding the Science & Technology Awareness Network (STAN), and advising various national and international bodies has left a lasting impact on STEM education, benefiting generations to come.