hello everyone my name is Katie gwass Becky and as introduced I’m starting my
Becky and as introduced I’m starting my
Becky and as introduced I’m starting my fourth year of mechanical engineering at
fourth year of mechanical engineering at
fourth year of mechanical engineering at the University of Toronto this coming
the University of Toronto this coming
the University of Toronto this coming September but for the last eight months
September but for the last eight months
September but for the last eight months I’ve been working at synaptic medical a
I’ve been working at synaptic medical a
I’ve been working at synaptic medical a neurosurgical engineering company where
neurosurgical engineering company where
neurosurgical engineering company where we design robotic arms to help
we design robotic arms to help
we design robotic arms to help neurosurgeons in the operating room I’m
neurosurgeons in the operating room I’m
neurosurgeons in the operating room I’m also a foodie a yogi and a space junkie
also a foodie a yogi and a space junkie
also a foodie a yogi and a space junkie by day I design robots and by night I am
by day I design robots and by night I am
by day I design robots and by night I am the director of the space systems
the director of the space systems
the director of the space systems division for the University of Toronto
division for the University of Toronto
division for the University of Toronto aerospace team and that’s the half of my
aerospace team and that’s the half of my
aerospace team and that’s the half of my life that I’m going to talk to you about
life that I’m going to talk to you about
life that I’m going to talk to you about today they tell me more about Saturn’s
today they tell me more about Saturn’s
today they tell me more about Saturn’s moons and SpaceX landings half the half
moons and SpaceX landings half the half
moons and SpaceX landings half the half they spent the last three years
they spent the last three years
they spent the last three years designing a small satellite with a team
designing a small satellite with a team
designing a small satellite with a team of undergrads so today I’m going to tell
of undergrads so today I’m going to tell
of undergrads so today I’m going to tell you about how being a part of this
you about how being a part of this
you about how being a part of this satellite team has changed my leadership
satellite team has changed my leadership
satellite team has changed my leadership philosophy I’m going to share a very
philosophy I’m going to share a very
philosophy I’m going to share a very powerful experience in the last few
powerful experience in the last few
powerful experience in the last few months that has changed the future for
months that has changed the future for
months that has changed the future for teams in this field and lastly I’m going
teams in this field and lastly I’m going
teams in this field and lastly I’m going to explain how this has impacted me my
to explain how this has impacted me my
to explain how this has impacted me my team and our future so the University of
team and our future so the University of
team and our future so the University of Toronto aerospace team is composed of
Toronto aerospace team is composed of
Toronto aerospace team is composed of over a hundred students from across the
over a hundred students from across the
over a hundred students from across the university from all different faculties
university from all different faculties
university from all different faculties all of us are furiously passionate about
all of us are furiously passionate about
all of us are furiously passionate about aerospace we build UAVs quad copters
aerospace we build UAVs quad copters
aerospace we build UAVs quad copters satellites and rockets we would shout
satellites and rockets we would shout
satellites and rockets we would shout from the rooftops about aerospace if we
from the rooftops about aerospace if we
from the rooftops about aerospace if we could in first year I was part of the
could in first year I was part of the
could in first year I was part of the rocketry team and then for the last
rocketry team and then for the last
rocketry team and then for the last three I’ve been part of the team
three I’ve been part of the team
three I’ve been part of the team building this Wonder Bread sized metal
building this Wonder Bread sized metal
building this Wonder Bread sized metal blocks and as of September I’m the lead
blocks and as of September I’m the lead
blocks and as of September I’m the lead leadership of something it’s always come
leadership of something it’s always come
leadership of something it’s always come pretty easily to me I’ve never had
pretty easily to me I’ve never had
pretty easily to me I’ve never had trouble making decisions or helping
trouble making decisions or helping
trouble making decisions or helping people the one thing I have noticed in
people the one thing I have noticed in
people the one thing I have noticed in the past is leadership techniques are no
the past is leadership techniques are no
the past is leadership techniques are no longer as effective with young people as
longer as effective with young people as
longer as effective with young people as they used to be what I mean is is that
they used to be what I mean is is that
they used to be what I mean is is that strategies of the past need to evolve
strategies of the past need to evolve
strategies of the past need to evolve just as their membership does this is
just as their membership does this is
just as their membership does this is especially important for the teams of
especially important for the teams of
especially important for the teams of today including my own what I mean is
today including my own what I mean is
today including my own what I mean is leaders of the past technical leaders
leaders of the past technical leaders
leaders of the past technical leaders were prized for their knowledge and
were prized for their knowledge and
were prized for their knowledge and understanding and ability to use designs
understanding and ability to use designs
understanding and ability to use designs to solve their problems
to solve their problems
to solve their problems they were experts in their field first
they were experts in their field first
they were experts in their field first and then they became leaders and that
and then they became leaders and that
and then they became leaders and that was still their primary contribution so
was still their primary contribution so
was still their primary contribution so I have a few examples for you deke
I have a few examples for you deke
I have a few examples for you deke Slayton Werner von Braun and Marc
Slayton Werner von Braun and Marc
Slayton Werner von Braun and Marc Garneau are all examples of this deke
Garneau are all examples of this deke
Garneau are all examples of this deke Slayton was a test pilot an astronaut
Slayton was a test pilot an astronaut
Slayton was a test pilot an astronaut and then became NASA’s first chief of
and then became NASA’s first chief of
and then became NASA’s first chief of astronauts Verner von Braun was of
astronauts Verner von Braun was of
astronauts Verner von Braun was of course a rocket scientist the chief
course a rocket scientist the chief
course a rocket scientist the chief architect for the saturn v launch
architect for the saturn v launch
architect for the saturn v launch vehicle and then became a nasa deputy
vehicle and then became a nasa deputy
vehicle and then became a nasa deputy associate administrator and Marc Garneau
associate administrator and Marc Garneau
associate administrator and Marc Garneau engineer astronaut and then became the
engineer astronaut and then became the
engineer astronaut and then became the president of the Canadian Space Agency
president of the Canadian Space Agency
president of the Canadian Space Agency but of course there are lots and lots of
but of course there are lots and lots of
but of course there are lots and lots of other important characteristics for
other important characteristics for
other important characteristics for strong leaders including experience and
strong leaders including experience and
strong leaders including experience and person ability but I argue that in the
person ability but I argue that in the
person ability but I argue that in the 20th century the most important thing a
20th century the most important thing a
20th century the most important thing a leader could bring to their team was
leader could bring to their team was
leader could bring to their team was their knowledge and this is different
their knowledge and this is different
their knowledge and this is different today I believe that being the knowledge
today I believe that being the knowledge
today I believe that being the knowledge excerpt isn’t is no longer the priority
excerpt isn’t is no longer the priority
excerpt isn’t is no longer the priority so why is that well because in today’s
so why is that well because in today’s
so why is that well because in today’s modern world members of technical teams
modern world members of technical teams
modern world members of technical teams have access to learning resources
have access to learning resources
have access to learning resources wherever and whenever they want
wherever and whenever they want
wherever and whenever they want mentorship and research are no longer
mentorship and research are no longer
mentorship and research are no longer the only ways to acquire technical
the only ways to acquire technical
the only ways to acquire technical knowledge but not only is learning
knowledge but not only is learning
knowledge but not only is learning easier it actually can be dangerous for
easier it actually can be dangerous for
easier it actually can be dangerous for us young people can often be isolated by
us young people can often be isolated by
us young people can often be isolated by internet connection and this is
internet connection and this is
internet connection and this is important because we’ve found that one
important because we’ve found that one
important because we’ve found that one of the most important things that
of the most important things that
of the most important things that leaders can do in their teams is to be
leaders can do in their teams is to be
leaders can do in their teams is to be present I’m going to give you an example
present I’m going to give you an example
present I’m going to give you an example so on our team on our first iteration
so on our team on our first iteration
so on our team on our first iteration satellite Harran Marquand I was the
satellite Harran Marquand I was the
satellite Harran Marquand I was the thermal lead our team was full of
thermal lead our team was full of
thermal lead our team was full of technical experts but we never actually
technical experts but we never actually
technical experts but we never actually had consistent leadership what I mean to
had consistent leadership what I mean to
had consistent leadership what I mean to say is our leads would cycle in and out
say is our leads would cycle in and out
say is our leads would cycle in and out sometimes as often as every few months
sometimes as often as every few months
sometimes as often as every few months next we would work so so hard in our
next we would work so so hard in our
next we would work so so hard in our workspaces but that was all we did I
workspaces but that was all we did I
workspaces but that was all we did I started to feel pretty isolated and I
started to feel pretty isolated and I
started to feel pretty isolated and I felt isolated and then started to resent
felt isolated and then started to resent
felt isolated and then started to resent my team this is pretty dangerous what
my team this is pretty dangerous what
my team this is pretty dangerous what became important for us then was our
became important for us then was our
became important for us then was our hard work and how at the end of two
hard work and how at the end of two
hard work and how at the end of two years we generated a beautiful satellite
years we generated a beautiful satellite
years we generated a beautiful satellite we took it to Ottawa and it passed
we took it to Ottawa and it passed
we took it to Ottawa and it passed vibration testing
vibration testing
vibration testing which is a fundamental step in our
which is a fundamental step in our
which is a fundamental step in our pre-launch checklist after that we drove
pre-launch checklist after that we drove
pre-launch checklist after that we drove it back to Toronto and the team pretty
it back to Toronto and the team pretty
it back to Toronto and the team pretty much disbanded after that summer I was
much disbanded after that summer I was
much disbanded after that summer I was asked to be the new director well of
asked to be the new director well of
asked to be the new director well of course I said yes
course I said yes
course I said yes but none of the team from the previous
but none of the team from the previous
but none of the team from the previous iteration decided to come back so I
iteration decided to come back so I
iteration decided to come back so I actually had a pretty unique opportunity
actually had a pretty unique opportunity
actually had a pretty unique opportunity to restart and rebuild Haren mark2 with
to restart and rebuild Haren mark2 with
to restart and rebuild Haren mark2 with a new set of leadership values and I
a new set of leadership values and I
a new set of leadership values and I knew from the very beginning that I was
knew from the very beginning that I was
knew from the very beginning that I was not going to be the technical expert
not going to be the technical expert
not going to be the technical expert just as I wasn’t on this team but I
just as I wasn’t on this team but I
just as I wasn’t on this team but I still had a chance and I wanted to take
still had a chance and I wanted to take
still had a chance and I wanted to take advantage of it and what I mean is I
advantage of it and what I mean is I
advantage of it and what I mean is I actually don’t have the skills to
actually don’t have the skills to
actually don’t have the skills to support 70% of the design of the
support 70% of the design of the
support 70% of the design of the satellite but you know I do my best
satellite but you know I do my best
satellite but you know I do my best I had to carve out my own profile for
I had to carve out my own profile for
I had to carve out my own profile for leadership now what did that look like
leadership now what did that look like
leadership now what did that look like well for me that looked like lots of
well for me that looked like lots of
well for me that looked like lots of open and frank conversations with my
open and frank conversations with my
open and frank conversations with my team we sat down in October and we said
team we sat down in October and we said
team we sat down in October and we said what was our team culture going to look
what was our team culture going to look
what was our team culture going to look like we wanted to be hardworking
like we wanted to be hardworking
like we wanted to be hardworking compassionate and not only about our
compassionate and not only about our
compassionate and not only about our team culture but what did every person
team culture but what did every person
team culture but what did every person need to succeed on the team I wanted my
need to succeed on the team I wanted my
need to succeed on the team I wanted my team to be friends first and not only
team to be friends first and not only
team to be friends first and not only know that they could rely on me when
know that they could rely on me when
know that they could rely on me when times got tough but that they could rely
times got tough but that they could rely
times got tough but that they could rely on each other these concrete
on each other these concrete
on each other these concrete conversations made us come up with some
conversations made us come up with some
conversations made us come up with some pretty interesting changes to our team
pretty interesting changes to our team
pretty interesting changes to our team dynamic so some of the things we end up
dynamic so some of the things we end up
dynamic so some of the things we end up doing now is we have personal meetings
doing now is we have personal meetings
doing now is we have personal meetings where we discuss each other’s workloads
where we discuss each other’s workloads
where we discuss each other’s workloads and how lies are going we also do things
and how lies are going we also do things
and how lies are going we also do things entirely outside of our own work like
entirely outside of our own work like
entirely outside of our own work like we’ll go support one of our own when he
we’ll go support one of our own when he
we’ll go support one of our own when he goes and performs on stage these values
goes and performs on stage these values
goes and performs on stage these values have taught me important lessons and one
have taught me important lessons and one
have taught me important lessons and one of them is I need to understand where
of them is I need to understand where
of them is I need to understand where people are coming from so I asked my
people are coming from so I asked my
people are coming from so I asked my lead that very question I asked what
lead that very question I asked what
lead that very question I asked what brings you to this team and what keeps
brings you to this team and what keeps
brings you to this team and what keeps you here and thankfully the answer is
you here and thankfully the answer is
you here and thankfully the answer is varied widely just as I had expected
varied widely just as I had expected
varied widely just as I had expected some said because I love space others
some said because I love space others
some said because I love space others said because I want to hone my
said because I want to hone my
said because I want to hone my engineering skills and even some said
engineering skills and even some said
engineering skills and even some said because this is the future why anyone
because this is the future why anyone
because this is the future why anyone chooses to arrive on this team I honor
chooses to arrive on this team I honor
chooses to arrive on this team I honor that every day and I’ll do my best to
that every day and I’ll do my best to
that every day and I’ll do my best to ensure that those reasons are guarded so
ensure that those reasons are guarded so
ensure that those reasons are guarded so these concrete changes and these
these concrete changes and these
these concrete changes and these conversations
conversations
conversations led to this incredible support for all
led to this incredible support for all
led to this incredible support for all of us and I as the director for the
of us and I as the director for the
of us and I as the director for the first time feel supported on my team I
first time feel supported on my team I
first time feel supported on my team I trust that my team is going to deliver
trust that my team is going to deliver
trust that my team is going to deliver not only technically but we’ll support
not only technically but we’ll support
not only technically but we’ll support each other because we’re all in pursuit
each other because we’re all in pursuit
each other because we’re all in pursuit of the same goal but with our own true
of the same goal but with our own true
of the same goal but with our own true motivation our own true value behind us
motivation our own true value behind us
motivation our own true value behind us one of the ways I was able to solidify
one of the ways I was able to solidify
one of the ways I was able to solidify this was I asked my team another
this was I asked my team another
this was I asked my team another question I asked what are the most
question I asked what are the most
question I asked what are the most important things the technical leaders
important things the technical leaders
important things the technical leaders deliver in teams these days well the
deliver in teams these days well the
deliver in teams these days well the answers were experience vision ability
answers were experience vision ability
answers were experience vision ability to remove roadblocks and enabling ones
to remove roadblocks and enabling ones
to remove roadblocks and enabling ones best work that is exactly what I was
best work that is exactly what I was
best work that is exactly what I was hoping to hear because there is a need
hoping to hear because there is a need
hoping to hear because there is a need for sensitivity in today’s technical
for sensitivity in today’s technical
for sensitivity in today’s technical teams investing time in developing a
teams investing time in developing a
teams investing time in developing a team support network is just as
team support network is just as
team support network is just as important as technical progress at the
important as technical progress at the
important as technical progress at the onset of a project well how do I know
onset of a project well how do I know
onset of a project well how do I know that let me tell you a little bit about
that let me tell you a little bit about
that let me tell you a little bit about our goals here mark two aims to follow
our goals here mark two aims to follow
our goals here mark two aims to follow here in mark one in its goals we aim to
here in mark one in its goals we aim to
here in mark one in its goals we aim to create a microbiology experiment
create a microbiology experiment
create a microbiology experiment performed on a small satellite we aim to
performed on a small satellite we aim to
performed on a small satellite we aim to perform experiments on a fungi called
perform experiments on a fungi called
perform experiments on a fungi called Candida albicans to see whether or not
Candida albicans to see whether or not
Candida albicans to see whether or not it could pose a risk to astronauts on
it could pose a risk to astronauts on
it could pose a risk to astronauts on long-duration missions Heron mark – also
long-duration missions Heron mark – also
long-duration missions Heron mark – also aims to be a platform that will
aims to be a platform that will
aims to be a platform that will eventually be open source allowing
eventually be open source allowing
eventually be open source allowing scientists and students from across the
scientists and students from across the
scientists and students from across the world to perform their own experiments
world to perform their own experiments
world to perform their own experiments why is this so groundbreaking well
why is this so groundbreaking well
why is this so groundbreaking well actually nASA has been the only one to
actually nASA has been the only one to
actually nASA has been the only one to make this happen so yeah
we’re trying to do it too and if we’re
we’re trying to do it too and if we’re able to do that it means that we’re
able to do that it means that we’re
able to do that it means that we’re making it orders of magnitude cheaper
making it orders of magnitude cheaper
making it orders of magnitude cheaper and making an open source increases the
and making an open source increases the
and making an open source increases the accessibility of space for all and
accessibility of space for all and
accessibility of space for all and that’s the goal at the end of the day
that’s the goal at the end of the day
that’s the goal at the end of the day but it’s one thing to design a satellite
but it’s one thing to design a satellite
but it’s one thing to design a satellite and it’s another thing to try and launch
and it’s another thing to try and launch
and it’s another thing to try and launch it I mean all of us have tried to have
it I mean all of us have tried to have
it I mean all of us have tried to have wanted to put something in space
wanted to put something in space
wanted to put something in space everyone on my team and for the last
everyone on my team and for the last
everyone on my team and for the last three years we’ve tried to make it
three years we’ve tried to make it
three years we’ve tried to make it happen we’ve talked to the Canadian
happen we’ve talked to the Canadian
happen we’ve talked to the Canadian Space Agency we’ve talked to banks we
Space Agency we’ve talked to banks we
Space Agency we’ve talked to banks we even thought about our crowdfunding
even thought about our crowdfunding
even thought about our crowdfunding campaign but nothing was able to cover
campaign but nothing was able to cover
campaign but nothing was able to cover the cost which can be upwards of
the cost which can be upwards of
the cost which can be upwards of $300,000 our last bet was to go through
$300,000 our last bet was to go through
$300,000 our last bet was to go through the University and ask students for help
the University and ask students for help
the University and ask students for help Herron mark ones team tried to put a
Herron mark ones team tried to put a
Herron mark ones team tried to put a levy on student tuition this last year
levy on student tuition this last year
levy on student tuition this last year but failed in the first of two stages
but failed in the first of two stages
but failed in the first of two stages Herron mark Tuesday was committed to try
Herron mark Tuesday was committed to try
Herron mark Tuesday was committed to try again so what does that look like well
again so what does that look like well
again so what does that look like well if we’re able to charge all 43,000
if we’re able to charge all 43,000
if we’re able to charge all 43,000 undergrads on the downtown campus a
undergrads on the downtown campus a
undergrads on the downtown campus a small fee then we could afford launch
small fee then we could afford launch
small fee then we could afford launch but let me tell you the process is full
but let me tell you the process is full
but let me tell you the process is full of red tape we have to go through the
of red tape we have to go through the
of red tape we have to go through the initial petition and then secondly the
initial petition and then secondly the
initial petition and then secondly the campaign period so to pass the petition
campaign period so to pass the petition
campaign period so to pass the petition you have to collect over 2,000
you have to collect over 2,000
you have to collect over 2,000 signatures from across the university
signatures from across the university
signatures from across the university with a representative distribution 1,300
with a representative distribution 1,300
with a representative distribution 1,300 of those have to be from the arts and
of those have to be from the arts and
of those have to be from the arts and science faculty luckily for us half of a
science faculty luckily for us half of a
science faculty luckily for us half of a fair and Mark Stu’s team is from that
fair and Mark Stu’s team is from that
fair and Mark Stu’s team is from that faculty so we had a broader reach from
faculty so we had a broader reach from
faculty so we had a broader reach from the very beginning so what did we do
the very beginning so what did we do
the very beginning so what did we do well we created a plan and every day at
well we created a plan and every day at
well we created a plan and every day at all of us would go to classes and
all of us would go to classes and
all of us would go to classes and collect signatures we pass out forms and
collect signatures we pass out forms and
collect signatures we pass out forms and if students signed it meant that they
if students signed it meant that they
if students signed it meant that they supported us in our cause enough to let
supported us in our cause enough to let
supported us in our cause enough to let us move on to the campaign stage my team
us move on to the campaign stage my team
us move on to the campaign stage my team was stellar here some would skip classes
was stellar here some would skip classes
was stellar here some would skip classes and split tests to collect signatures
and split tests to collect signatures
and split tests to collect signatures I’m not condoning that but they really
I’m not condoning that but they really
I’m not condoning that but they really were incredible our collection rate was
were incredible our collection rate was
were incredible our collection rate was pretty consistent until trouble struck
pretty consistent until trouble struck
pretty consistent until trouble struck the Student Union informed us that the
the Student Union informed us that the
the Student Union informed us that the campaign period was moved up two weeks
campaign period was moved up two weeks
campaign period was moved up two weeks so we had four days to collect 1000
so we had four days to collect 1000
so we had four days to collect 1000 signatures
signatures
signatures four days to submit all our information
four days to submit all our information
four days to submit all our information instead of freaking out and doing
instead of freaking out and doing
instead of freaking out and doing ourselves to failure we rose to the
ourselves to failure we rose to the
ourselves to failure we rose to the occasion so what did we do well we
occasion so what did we do well we
occasion so what did we do well we created a plan and we scheduled every
created a plan and we scheduled every
created a plan and we scheduled every moment from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. of those
moment from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. of those
moment from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. of those four days I would even go to work at 6
four days I would even go to work at 6
four days I would even go to work at 6 a.m. so I could leave early to collect
a.m. so I could leave early to collect
a.m. so I could leave early to collect we all made sacrifices you know what
we all made sacrifices you know what
we all made sacrifices you know what after the first day we collected 800
after the first day we collected 800
after the first day we collected 800 signatures
signatures
signatures what a relief and by the end of those 4
what a relief and by the end of those 4
what a relief and by the end of those 4 days we had collected a thousand more
days we had collected a thousand more
days we had collected a thousand more than we originally needed to and that
than we originally needed to and that
than we originally needed to and that all came down to my team so the next
all came down to my team so the next
all came down to my team so the next step well the campaign you can actually
step well the campaign you can actually
step well the campaign you can actually see on this graph when the Student Union
see on this graph when the Student Union
see on this graph when the Student Union told us about the date change so as I
told us about the date change so as I
told us about the date change so as I said the campaign so the campaign we
said the campaign so the campaign we
said the campaign so the campaign we wanted to educate and inform students as
wanted to educate and inform students as
wanted to educate and inform students as well as make sure that everybody knew
well as make sure that everybody knew
well as make sure that everybody knew the specific benefits of our project we
the specific benefits of our project we
the specific benefits of our project we wanted to convince students to pay two
wanted to convince students to pay two
wanted to convince students to pay two dollars and seventy seven cents per
dollars and seventy seven cents per
dollars and seventy seven cents per student per semester over two years and
student per semester over two years and
student per semester over two years and that would total half a billion dollars
that would total half a billion dollars
that would total half a billion dollars so how do we do it well we had to create
so how do we do it well we had to create
so how do we do it well we had to create a very interesting thought provoking
a very interesting thought provoking
a very interesting thought provoking campaign and these are the questions we
campaign and these are the questions we
campaign and these are the questions we would ask students we asked questions
would ask students we asked questions
would ask students we asked questions like do you know how hard it is to put
like do you know how hard it is to put
like do you know how hard it is to put something in space do you know how to
something in space do you know how to
something in space do you know how to fill a test tube in space our main goal
fill a test tube in space our main goal
fill a test tube in space our main goal was to allow students who might not be
was to allow students who might not be
was to allow students who might not be as space literate to tune in and find
as space literate to tune in and find
as space literate to tune in and find the answers online once again my team
the answers online once again my team
the answers online once again my team was incredible here they built this they
was incredible here they built this they
was incredible here they built this they put up posters they create an
put up posters they create an
put up posters they create an interesting content and all I could do
interesting content and all I could do
interesting content and all I could do was sit at work and hope that all went
was sit at work and hope that all went
was sit at work and hope that all went well that’s really hard for me I’m
well that’s really hard for me I’m
well that’s really hard for me I’m always the one to make things happen but
always the one to make things happen but
always the one to make things happen but this time I just had to trust that my
this time I just had to trust that my
this time I just had to trust that my team at school was doing their very best
team at school was doing their very best
team at school was doing their very best to spread our message on March 16th the
to spread our message on March 16th the
to spread our message on March 16th the voting period ended and I just had to
voting period ended and I just had to
voting period ended and I just had to wait to know if we were going to have
wait to know if we were going to have
wait to know if we were going to have the chance to make my dreams come true
the chance to make my dreams come true
the chance to make my dreams come true so these last three months of levee
so these last three months of levee
so these last three months of levee planning though I’ve had the most vivid
planning though I’ve had the most vivid
planning though I’ve had the most vivid daydreams they were they were
daydreams they were they were
daydreams they were they were all-consuming I would see in my mind
all-consuming I would see in my mind
all-consuming I would see in my mind that the letter e went through and I
that the letter e went through and I
that the letter e went through and I could just feel the tears welling up and
could just feel the tears welling up and
could just feel the tears welling up and this was every single day it was so
this was every single day it was so
this was every single day it was so overwhelming that I swore that if I let
overwhelming that I swore that if I let
overwhelming that I swore that if I let it continue it would come to life I was
it continue it would come to life I was
it continue it would come to life I was so scared of success and I was so scared
so scared of success and I was so scared
so scared of success and I was so scared of failure that the result was gonna
of failure that the result was gonna
of failure that the result was gonna kill me other way but the day came
kill me other way but the day came
kill me other way but the day came anyway March 16th I left work and on my
anyway March 16th I left work and on my
anyway March 16th I left work and on my way home I found out the levy passed and
way home I found out the levy passed and
way home I found out the levy passed and I broke down and started crying on the
I broke down and started crying on the
I broke down and started crying on the sidewalk
sidewalk
sidewalk it was the most resonant thing I’ve ever
it was the most resonant thing I’ve ever
it was the most resonant thing I’ve ever experienced it was like something came
experienced it was like something came
experienced it was like something came into alignment like all the sacrifices I
into alignment like all the sacrifices I
into alignment like all the sacrifices I had made missing birthdays and social
had made missing birthdays and social
had made missing birthdays and social events and not seeing my family like all
events and not seeing my family like all
events and not seeing my family like all those things those sacrifices were made
those things those sacrifices were made
those things those sacrifices were made worth it because those people supported
worth it because those people supported
worth it because those people supported me from the very beginning this levy has
me from the very beginning this levy has
me from the very beginning this levy has taught me the value of letting my team
taught me the value of letting my team
taught me the value of letting my team follow their own true value this levy
follow their own true value this levy
follow their own true value this levy has taught me that whatever I give my
has taught me that whatever I give my
has taught me that whatever I give my team they’re going to give it right back
team they’re going to give it right back
team they’re going to give it right back and this levy has taught me that my role
and this levy has taught me that my role
and this levy has taught me that my role is threefold
is threefold
is threefold I am the cheerleader I am the program
I am the cheerleader I am the program
I am the cheerleader I am the program manager and I am the best friend and I
manager and I am the best friend and I
manager and I am the best friend and I play those simultaneously seeing the
play those simultaneously seeing the
play those simultaneously seeing the work that my team put in to make this
work that my team put in to make this
work that my team put in to make this levy happen excites me beyond belief for
levy happen excites me beyond belief for
levy happen excites me beyond belief for our future now what is our future well
our future now what is our future well
our future now what is our future well now that the levees past my role has
now that the levees past my role has
now that the levees past my role has changed slightly I am now responsible
changed slightly I am now responsible
changed slightly I am now responsible for team wide timeline development which
for team wide timeline development which
for team wide timeline development which essentially means making sure that we
essentially means making sure that we
essentially means making sure that we hit all launch requirements and I’m also
hit all launch requirements and I’m also
hit all launch requirements and I’m also leading with large providers which is so
leading with large providers which is so
leading with large providers which is so cool I also do general team admin and
cool I also do general team admin and
cool I also do general team admin and I’m still the thermal lead but I’ve also
I’m still the thermal lead but I’ve also
I’m still the thermal lead but I’ve also been restructuring the team we’ve
been restructuring the team we’ve
been restructuring the team we’ve recruited a new systems designer to help
recruited a new systems designer to help
recruited a new systems designer to help us with our integration and from a
us with our integration and from a
us with our integration and from a mindset point of view we’ve been
mindset point of view we’ve been
mindset point of view we’ve been reprioritizing
reprioritizing
reprioritizing to talk to experts in the field and
to talk to experts in the field and
to talk to experts in the field and learn everything we’ve been asking
learn everything we’ve been asking
learn everything we’ve been asking questions about how to plan our design
questions about how to plan our design
questions about how to plan our design decisions how to redefine our goals to
decisions how to redefine our goals to
decisions how to redefine our goals to make sure we’re set up for success I
make sure we’re set up for success I
make sure we’re set up for success I know my team is just itching to get back
know my team is just itching to get back
know my team is just itching to get back to design work
to design work
to design work and who knows down the line maybe this
and who knows down the line maybe this
and who knows down the line maybe this time next year Herron mark – we’ll pass
time next year Herron mark – we’ll pass
time next year Herron mark – we’ll pass qualification testing and then in 2019
qualification testing and then in 2019
qualification testing and then in 2019 well sticker in the cove in the
well sticker in the cove in the
well sticker in the cove in the deployment mechanism and say goodbye to
deployment mechanism and say goodbye to
deployment mechanism and say goodbye to our pride and joy but let me tell you
our pride and joy but let me tell you
our pride and joy but let me tell you this excitement goes way beyond our team
this excitement goes way beyond our team
this excitement goes way beyond our team we have the chance to establish a
we have the chance to establish a
we have the chance to establish a consistent launch program at U of T
consistent launch program at U of T
consistent launch program at U of T imagine being able to launch a satellite
imagine being able to launch a satellite
imagine being able to launch a satellite before you graduate your undergrad
before you graduate your undergrad
before you graduate your undergrad that’s within our grasp if we renew the
that’s within our grasp if we renew the
that’s within our grasp if we renew the levy every two years we can make that
levy every two years we can make that
levy every two years we can make that happen and firstly this is unheard of in
happen and firstly this is unheard of in
happen and firstly this is unheard of in Canada and this would essentially
Canada and this would essentially
Canada and this would essentially establish U of T as the forefront for
establish U of T as the forefront for
establish U of T as the forefront for Canadian undergraduate satellite
Canadian undergraduate satellite
Canadian undergraduate satellite development we just want Canadian
development we just want Canadian
development we just want Canadian students to have more access to space
students to have more access to space
students to have more access to space and I’m part of a team that can do that
and I’m part of a team that can do that
and I’m part of a team that can do that I’m part of a team that believes in the
I’m part of a team that believes in the
I’m part of a team that believes in the value of a new leadership philosophy a
value of a new leadership philosophy a
value of a new leadership philosophy a philosophy that believes in allowing
philosophy that believes in allowing
philosophy that believes in allowing everyone to follow their own true value
everyone to follow their own true value
everyone to follow their own true value and that there is such benefit in a
and that there is such benefit in a
and that there is such benefit in a well-rounded approach to harness the
well-rounded approach to harness the
well-rounded approach to harness the potential of the team giving every team
potential of the team giving every team
potential of the team giving every team member the freedom to succeed allows us
member the freedom to succeed allows us
member the freedom to succeed allows us all to see the possibilities ahead of us
all to see the possibilities ahead of us
all to see the possibilities ahead of us our possibility was the levy at our
our possibility was the levy at our
our possibility was the levy at our fingertips now one of our most revered
fingertips now one of our most revered
fingertips now one of our most revered advisors said to me before the levy
advisors said to me before the levy
advisors said to me before the levy passed you said you know most student
passed you said you know most student
passed you said you know most student teams don’t succeed but I think yours
teams don’t succeed but I think yours
teams don’t succeed but I think yours has a chance with you and while I’m
has a chance with you and while I’m
has a chance with you and while I’m flattered I think there’s a lot more to
flattered I think there’s a lot more to
flattered I think there’s a lot more to it I think it goes both ways I think I
it I think it goes both ways I think I
it I think it goes both ways I think I have a chance at my dream with my team
have a chance at my dream with my team
have a chance at my dream with my team and I think that that’s the most
and I think that that’s the most
and I think that that’s the most important thing I think that this levy
important thing I think that this levy
important thing I think that this levy has been a life-changing experience for
has been a life-changing experience for
has been a life-changing experience for all of us and I’m inspired beyond belief
all of us and I’m inspired beyond belief
all of us and I’m inspired beyond belief for what’s to happen next I’m humbled to
for what’s to happen next I’m humbled to
for what’s to happen next I’m humbled to be able to be on a team and lead a team
be able to be on a team and lead a team
be able to be on a team and lead a team that has supported me in my dreams since
that has supported me in my dreams since
that has supported me in my dreams since the very beginning the world is opening
the very beginning the world is opening
the very beginning the world is opening up for young people all we have to do is
up for young people all we have to do is
up for young people all we have to do is give them the confidence to approach
give them the confidence to approach
give them the confidence to approach their dreams so thank you to my team and
their dreams so thank you to my team and
their dreams so thank you to my team and thank you all for listening
thank you all for listening
thank you all for listening you
”
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