Executive Team

President

Mikkayla Ellsworth-Reid

Mikkayla Ellsworth-Reid (she/her) is in her fifth and final year in the Sustainable Design Engineering program at UPEI and is the ACES 2024-2025 President. This is Mikkayla's fourth year being involved with ACES, having served on both the Commissioner team as the Bilingualism Commissioner and on the Executive team as VP of Communications and VP of Services and she is excited and honoured to get to spend her last year as President. In the role, she is enthusiastic about building external connections to benefit ACES members and facilitating engaging collaborations between member schools. When she is not working on school or ACES, Mikkayla enjoys horror movies, reading, and watercolour painting. Feel free to contact her at president@aces-cega.ca with any questions or concerns, or if you want to chat; she is always available and happy to talk!

As President, Mikkayla is responsible for:

  • Be ACES's official representative and spokesperson to all other students and professional and industry associations. Be a signing authority on all ACES bank accounts.

  • Maintain constant communication with the Atlantic Ambassador of the CFES regarding Atlantic-specific matters.

  • Ensure that ACES is represented at the Atlantic Engineering Competition.

  • Maintain all official documents of the organization and transition these documents to the incoming Executive.

Atlantic Ambassador

Camilla Drost

Camilla Drost (she/they) is a fifth-year Chemical Engineering student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. Camilla has been involved in her Engineering Society since her first year and got exposed to ACES this past year, first as the UNBF VP of Finance and then as the UNBF VP of External. She fell in love with ACES and is so excited to help Atlantic schools connect on a regional and national level, especially with many national conferences hosted in the beautiful Atlantic region! Camilla is super musical and loves to play guitar outside of school. 

As Atlantic Ambassador, Camilla is responsible for:

  • Representing ACES to the CFES’ Board of Directors

  • Communicating with and keeping all ACES members up to date on issues and information from the CFES

  • Wearing the ACES Sou’ Wester

  • Wearing and guarding Two Chainz at national conferences.

VP Communications

Amel Ali

Amel Ali (she/her) is a third-year Chemical Engineering student at Dalhousie University. She is currently serving as the Branding Ambassador for the Canadian Engineering Competition 2025.  With a passion for fostering collaboration and innovation, Amel is excited to step into the role of VP Communications for ACES. She is enthusiastic to engage with and link with creative peers across the region. Outside of academics, Amel enjoys spending time with friends, capturing moments with their digital camera (a prized possession), and occasionally editing short, heartfelt (sappy) videos.

As VP of Communications, Amel is responsible for:

  • Compiling and distributing ACES newsletters to provide updates

  • Maintaining and ensuring regular activity on ACES social media and communication platforms

  • Be responsible for the design and timely delivery of revenue-generating media and

    merchandise

  • Overseeing the IT Commissioners and ensuring that their mandates are met

VP Finance

Nyah Lupick

Nyah Lupick (she/her/Elle) is a third-year electrical engineering student at Dalhousie University. She was previously involved with ACES as an IT Commissioner last year and is super pumped to be the VP of Finance this year. She looks forward to creating excellent new merchandise and raising awareness of ACES. Nyah enjoys reading, crocheting, watching anime, and wandering the Halifax waterfront outside of school. A fun fact about Nyah is that she stores all of her money as gold bars (though no one has been able to confirm this…).

As VP of Finance, Nyah is responsible for:

  • Collecting and managing all membership fees and monies of ACES

  • Developing the annual ACES operating budget and keeping accurate records of all financial transactions

  • Actively seeking corporate sponsorship

  • Ensuring proper recording of conference finances

VP Engagement

Kristen North

Kristen North (she/her) is in her fifth year of Chemical Engineering with a certificate in Biomedical Engineering at Dalhousie University - Sexton Campus and is the VP of Engagement of ACES for the 2024-2025 year. As VP of Engagement, she looks forward to working with member societies to get their students more involved with ACES and promote the growth of ACES as an organization. She hopes to facilitate communication and avocation between member societies and promote events between schools and within the organization. Apart from ACES, Kristen is VP of Sponsorship on the CFES organizing committee for CEC 2025. If you have any questions or ideas on engagement promotion and advocacy within ACES, you can contact Kristen.

As VP of Engagement, Kristen is responsible for:

  • Promoting and initiating networking and inter-society communication for member societies

  • Ensuring that small school societies engage with ACES

  • Overseeing the Small School Engagement Commissioners

VP Services

Nichole Baya

Nichole (she/her) is a 5th year Chemical Engineering student at the University of New Brunswick Fredericton. Nichole has been involved and held different positions in various clubs and societies at UNB. She started her involvement with ACES as an EDI Commissioner last year and is excited to return to ACES as VP of Services. Nichole looks forward to supporting ACES and using her knowledge and experiences to provide successful ACES Activities to the membership. Outside of ACES, Nichole is also the VPX for UNBF. She enjoys watching binge-worthy TV shows, crocheting, and baking. If you have any recipes, Nichole would appreciate them and would like to try them!

As VP of Services, Nichole is responsible for:

  • Providing and overseeing the development of professional and educational resources and services for members

  • Overseeing the planning of AEC, ELS, and AGM

  • Keeping a record of the ACES conference planning rotation

Commissioners

We’re looking for Bilingualism Commissioners! Apply here: 2024-25 ACES Bilingualism Commissioner Application

Chair

Jayden MacKenzie

Jayden (he/him/il) is in his fifth and final year of Chemical Engineering with a certificate in Biomedical Engineering at the Sexton Campus of Dalhousie University and is the ACES Chair this year. This is Jayden's fourth year being involved with ACES, having served as a VP External twice, as the first Small School Engagement Commissioner after the role was revived and as the first ever ACES VP Engagement. In this role, he is excited to be able to support the ACES Executive with policy throughout the year and to be able to support ACES members in engaging in ACES General Assemblies. Apart from ACES, Jayden is a National Councillor of the CFES and the VP of Finance and Operations for Dalhousie - Sexton. If you have any questions about ACES policy or General Assemblies you can contact Jayden!

Chair Commissioner Responsibilities include:

  • Chair all General Meetings of ACES and meetings which include the ACES Executive, Commissioners, and Activity Chairs

  • Prepare and deliver General Assembly introduction sessions at AGM and ELS

  • Prepare and distribute the preliminary and final agenda for all General Meeting

  • Maintain the ACES mandate tracker and ensure that it is available to all members

Bilingualism Commisioner

Emmanuelle Clavet

Emmanuelle Clavet (she/her), is a second year Mechanical Engineering student at l’Université de Moncton, planning to later on specialize in Sports Engineering. Currently a VP Logistics for the 2025 AEC, she is excited to further involve herself in the student community as a Bilingualism Commissioner for ACES. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside, and training for her next powerlifting competition!

Bilingualism Commissioner Responsibilities include:

  • Manage communication between ACES and U de M.

  • Support the AEC Organizing Committee with the translation of materials.

  • Translate ACES documents and social media content.

Bilingualism Commisioner

Sandeep Kooyelas

Sandeep Kooyelas (he/him/il) is a third-year student in the Sustainable Design Engineering Program at the University of Prince Edward Island. He became involved with ACES in 2024 as a Bilingualism Commissioner. He looks forward to working with his team to create the best experience for engineering students across Atlantic Canada and is excited to take the role of Bilingualism Commissioner for the 2023- 2024 year. He is eager to connect with the ACES members and wants to represent every student in Atlantic Canada. Sandeep's interests outside of school include hiking, drawing, playing video games and working out.

Bilingualism Commissioner Responsibilities include:

  • Manage communication between ACES and U de M.

  • Support the AEC Organizing Committee with the translation of materials.

  • Translate ACES documents and social media content.

Equity Diversity and Belonging (EDB) Commissioners

EDB

Alexa Pelletier

Alexa (she/her) is finishing up her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of New Brunswick while supply teaching at the high school level. She grew up in the small town of Grand Falls, NB, which fueled her love of sports and the outdoors. Alexa played five years of university rugby for the REDS and continues to participate in other sports recreationally. Fun fact, being a passionate mental health advocate, Alexa plans to pursue a master's in counselling to support others on their journeys. Her commitment to fostering inclusion and belonging extends beyond her academic and athletic pursuits; she actively works to create supportive environments where everyone feels valued and heard. Alexa believes that a strong sense of community and allyship is essential for personal and collective growth, and she is excited to bring this dedication to her role as an EDB Commissioner with ACES.

EDB

Arushi Sabnis

EDB

Temiloluwa (Rosetta) Shokunbi

Temiloluwa (Rosetta) Shokunbi (She/her) is a third-year engineering student at the University of Prince Edward Island. She is acting as an EDB commissioner of ACES for the 2024/25 year. She is looking forward to role as EDB commissioner and making an impact on engineering students. In her free time, Rosetta enjoys horror movies, sports and games.

As EDB Commissioners, Alexa, Arushi and Rosetta’s Responsibilities include:

  • Ensure each new ACES executive and commissioner undergo EDB training

  • Promote allyship and regular engagement with social issues

  • Engage with Activity Chairs to ensure the Activities are inclusive

Diploma School Commissioners

Diploma School Commissioner

Akshit Bhalla

Akshit Bhalla (he/him) is a second-year electrical engineering student at Dalhousie University - Truro Campus. He was previously involved in the engineering society as VP Internal in his first year. He learned more about ACES during the summer and was excited to become a part of it. Besides university, Akshit has experience in running operations in different businesses. He is eager to use his abilities in his role as Diploma School Commissioner. Akshit enjoys photography and drawing as his side hobbies.

Diploma School Commissioner

Keira Lawson

Keira (she/her/elle) is a third year engineering student at StFX University and is the Diploma School Comissioner. She is looking to specialize in environmental engineering as she is also getting a degree in environmental science from StFX. Keira is thrilled to be apart of the ACES team this year where she hopes to make a difference in the atlantic engineering student experience.

Diploma School Commissioner

Orion Wiersma

Orion Wiersma (he/him) is going into his third year of Electrical Engineering at Dalhousie. He likes playing a variety of sports, particularly playing soccer at school, and loves playing spikeball at his church. Orion was first interested in ACES after going to the AEC last year. He hopes to make a similar impact to other engineering students as he knows ACES has for him.

As Diploma School Commissioners, Akshit, Keira and Orion’s Responsibilities include:

  • Maintaining points of contact between ACES and the small schools

  • Holding bi-monthly meetings to assist and assess challenges within engineering societies

  • Creating and organizing transition documents for small school engineering societies

Information Technology (I.T.) Commissioners

I.T. Commissioner

Kevin Bronson

Kevin Bronson (he/him) is in his 3rd year of the Diploma in Engineering with BSc in Physics program at St. Francis Xavier University. This is Kevin’s first year on the ACES team and his second on the StFX Engineering Society executive team where he is currently the VP External. Kevin is excited to do all he can for the students under the ACES umbrella. When not studying or performing duties assigned Kevin loves making art with watercolours being a favorite, doing all kinds of crafts and watching shows like Dimension 20. If you want to reach out he will answer to any of his 3 middle names because he doesn’t get the chance to use them enough!

I.T. Commissioner

Lucas Melanson

 Lucas Melanson (he/him/il) is a second-year electrical engineering student at Dalhousie University. Lucas has participated with many societies within Dalhousie, and is hoping to get more involved on a regional level through ACES. Apart from being an IT Commissioner, Lucas is also the President of the Dalhousie Diploma of Engineering Society (DES), and a team member of the Dalhousie Space Systems Cubesat team. When not suffering from an engineering workload, Lucas enjoys drumming and going for rides on his dirtbike.

As I.T. Commissioners, Kevin and Lucas’ Responsibilities include:

  • Maintaining and updating the ACES website and social media platforms

  • Ensuring that relevant information can be easily accessed on the ACES Member Share Drive, and on the ACES website

  • Any other duties relating to the electronic infrastructure of ACES