Meet Irini Mikhael
Irini Mikhael graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering from Ryerson University in 2005, became a Professional in Engineering in 2008, and a Project Management Professional from the PMI Institute in 2009. She also earned her Early Childhood Education degree from Loyalist College in 2015. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Lullaboo Nursery and Childcare Center. In her spare time, Irini enjoys problem solving, fixing broken TVs, computers, toys, lego, and baking.
When did your love of STEM begin?
When I was 5 years old, I asked my dad if we can go get a car that I can drive. At the time there was not any girl coloured cars they were all boys cars. so my dad took me to the junkyard and he said let's build one together. It took us a few month, lots of welding, cutting and painting. but I got my own Red car just my size and we put a pedal in it so i can fully control its movement, so i sat and drove it off. I danced Ballet during elementary school and I always use to tell my instructor to draw out the steps for me in boxes I see the different compartment of movements, so I see STEM in dance even as a child. I loved Science and Chemistry Bill guy the Science guy was my favourite show of all times, of course with Fresh Prince and Full house ranking 2nd and 3rd. I am always fascinated with chemical reactions, and how it can change with just a single carbon into a whole new species. Physics was another big hit "for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction" was a great motto to live with. Math is super special to me, I have 3 girls now and one little guy and I always tell them that Math makes the world makes sense.
What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?
Currently I am most proud of having developed a STEM educational program for Children in Childcare (6 weeks-6 years old) we do everything from food colouring, to rocket ships building, balancing, volcanos, lego addition and subtractions. My focus is to introduce these young minds to STEM at a young age rather than it is an afterthought when they go to school. I also love building and being a part of the design/engineering team that create these spaces for the young children, every building we design is better than the last one, every new building has a unique advantage and challenge. Most special to my heart is our Icare software system, I designed and coded it from scratch and now is being used by over 2000 students and 400 teachers. it helps organize and keep in compliance all childcare records, while allowing parents full access to review and edit their children's record.
What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?
"Believe in your ability, you are the first one that knows they exists.” A STEM Mindset can do anything. Look at me; I am a trained professional chemical engineer, that builds daycare, works in software development, and has an early childhood degree.