As the new Project Manager for the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI), Maggie brings a wealth of experience in project management, international education, and economic development. Her career has been defined by a passion for creating meaningful connections—whether for students, industry partners, or entire communities.

“I’ve always been drawn to roles that create impact,” Maggie shares. “Whether it’s supporting newcomers in a community or helping businesses bring new ideas to life, I want my work to improve people’s quality of life.”

She joined Niagara College almost two years ago as an International Academic Quality and Partnerships Consultant with the Centre for Academic Excellence, where she oversaw academic quality for programs at Niagara College Toronto and developed pathways to help students pursue global education opportunities.

Before that, she held many roles, including leading the immigration strategy for the City of St. John, N.B., as a Project Manager. The role was as complex as it was rewarding. “We had over 100 members representing various organizations and partnerships at the table,” Maggie recalls. “Healthcare, housing, settlement agencies—we all worked together to make sure newcomers choosing St. John as their home had the resources and opportunities to thrive.”

That experience—bringing diverse stakeholders together to tackle big challenges—laid the groundwork for her transition to SONAMI. “I felt there was so much transferable knowledge—economic development, partnership-building, and bringing people together toward a shared goal. That’s what excited me about SONAMI.”

In her current role, Maggie is at the heart of SONAMI’s day-to-day operations. She coordinates project intakes, facilitates evaluations, and ensures compliance with funder Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), while supporting 11 post-secondary institutions in delivering high-impact applied research projects for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Part of her responsibility also includes overseeing quarterly financial claims, audits, and performance reporting under SONAMI’s Contribution Agreement with FedDev Ontario—work that ensures the network remains accountable and sustainable as it grows.

“I like to describe myself as a planner, systems-builder, strategist, and operator all in one,” she says with a smile. “My role is to design processes that help 11 institutions and their research teams collaborate smoothly, manage funding responsibly, and deliver results that matter to our industry partners, students, and funders.”

For Maggie, though, it’s not just about the paperwork and metrics. It’s about the people: “This isn’t a one-person job. It’s about harnessing the strengths of our institutional partners, students, and industry to ensure the wins are shared by everyone involved. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do.”

That collaborative approach is especially valuable as SONAMI takes on projects at the forefront of automation, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. Maggie is particularly passionate about these themes. “One of the most satisfying parts of this role is watching a company move from concept to commercialization,” she explains. “It’s not just about the innovation itself—it’s about knowing that it can create jobs, improve quality of life, and even make Canada more competitive in advanced manufacturing.”

SONAMI’s mandate to support industry partners is well known, but for Maggie, the network’s impact on students is just as important.

“I love reading about our industry partners’ success stories,” she says, “but I’m just as excited about the students. When I see a student who worked on a SONAMI project land a great job—like the one who recently joined Innovate Niagara—it’s proof that we’re building opportunities that last well beyond a single project.”

Her enthusiasm underscores one of SONAMI’s greatest strengths: it doesn’t just fuel innovation today—it actively builds the workforce of tomorrow. “That’s what keeps me motivated—the idea that SONAMI is not just supporting businesses, but also shaping the future workforce.”

“One of my favourite success stories is the collaboration between Centennial College and Samco Machinery,” she shared. “Through SONAMI, faculty and students partnered with Samco to redesign their Vortex Press™ machine using advanced methods like additive manufacturing and finite element analysis. The project delivered a lighter, more efficient, and sustainable design that reduced costs and waste for Samco, while giving students hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools. What’s so inspiring is that the company benefited from innovation, but at the same time, our students gained the kind of practical, real-world training that sets them apart in the job market. To me, it’s a perfect example of how SONAMI helps businesses thrive while preparing the next generation of skilled talent.”

If there’s one theme Maggie returns to again and again, it’s her admiration for SMEs. She lights up when talking about the creativity and resilience they bring to every project.

“I find it so satisfying to see their ideas come to life,” she says. “From the early conversations about a concept, to prototyping, and then to commercialization—it’s like watching an idea grow from seed to harvest.”

Many SMEs, she notes, underestimate their eligibility for support. “A lot of businesses assume that federal funding is only for big corporations,” Maggie explains. “But part of my job is showing them that there’s a place for them here, too. Even if they’re not quite ready, we’ll work with them to prepare strong applications and give them the best chance at success.”

She sees SONAMI’s clean growth mandate as a major opportunity for SMEs to lead the way in sustainable manufacturing. “When industry partners realize they can commercialize a product and at the same time make it more sustainable—that’s powerful.”

Originally from Nigeria, she holds a Master’s in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor’s in Guidance and Counselling. “Education is really ingrained in our culture,” she explains. “People are encouraged to keep learning, to keep growing. For me, that mindset of lifelong learning is something I carry into every role.”

Since moving to Niagara in 2023, she has embraced the region’s natural beauty. “I love being by the water,” she says. “There’s something about the fresh air and the sand under your feet that just makes you drop the baggage of the day.”

Her greatest source of joy and inspiration comes from her three children. “My kids are my ikigai—my reason for being,” she shares, referencing the Japanese concept that reflects one’s purpose in life. “They keep me grounded and remind me why I do this work. At the same time, I find so much energy in mentoring early-career professionals and in balancing my role as a mother with my passion for higher education. Both perspectives motivate me every day and push me to keep striving for impact.”

Outside of work, Maggie calls herself “a foodie who loves to cook and eat,” often experimenting with new recipes she and her daughters discover online together.  Exploring Niagara’s restaurants and trails has also become a family adventure. “I try to be the cool mom,” she says with a laugh, “so I’m always on the lookout for fun new spots we can enjoy together.” Faith and community connections provide Maggie with an anchor beyond work and family, continually reminding her of the value of resilience, compassion, and service – and to slow down and appreciate life beyond work.

As SONAMI advances toward the completion of its current iteration (3.0) in 2027, Maggie is determined to help the network meet and surpass its targets—from industry success stories to student engagement and beyond.

“My goal is simple,” she says. “When SONAMI wraps up 3.0, I want us to be so successful that our funders are excited to support SONAMI 4.0. We have bigger dreams, bigger goals—and I want SONAMI to be the team that delivers them.”

Her advice to businesses considering a partnership with SONAMI is straightforward: “Come on board. Even if you think you’re not ready, we’ll help you get there. We remove barriers, not create them. There’s a place here for every company that wants to innovate and grow.”

In Maggie’s view, SONAMI’s strength lies in its unique ecosystem. “What makes us cutting-edge is the combination of assets we bring to the table,” she explains. “We have the expertise of 11 leading post-secondary institutions, access to state-of-the-art research facilities, and the trust of our funders and partners. That’s a powerful mix.”

With SONAMI, businesses don’t just access funding—they join a network of innovators building the future of advanced manufacturing in Canada. To learn more, visit the SONAMI website or contact Mitchell Lutz, Industry Partnerships Manager, at [email protected].