Salomé Grajales

Height: 5’3
Hometown: Hamilton, ON
Languages: English, Spanish
Occupation: Power Electronics Intern, Student (Mechanical Engineering McMaster University)

Salomé Grajales is a fierce advocate for women in STEM and a compassionate leader who aims to break stereotypes and encourages women to follow all their passions. She is currently a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student at McMaster University and works as a Power Electronics Cooling Intern at Dana Inc. Her experiences as a female engineering student inspired her to create meaningful positive change in the field and led her to become a mentor for the Women in Engineering Society at her University as well as the Hamilton Chapter Coordinator for the Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS). Her goals through both initiatives have been to not only provide an encouraging environment and foster a passion for STEM, but to also inspire young women to pursue all their dreams and not feel constrained to what society may expect of them. From being a ballerina for twelve years to playing rugby in high school, making a career jump from psychology to engineering and now working in the automotive industry while simultaneously pursuing her passion for pageantry, Salomé has never felt like she needed to fit into a stereotype and constantly pushes herself to follow all her dreams while doing the same for her community.

She was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario and is the proud daughter of two Colombian immigrants. Her tenacious spirit and work ethic are a direct reflection of the environment her parents raised her in and her dedication as a dancer. Her inquisitive nature also allowed her to develop her creativity and critical thinking skills. She loves to travel and growing up in such a diverse community, allowed her to experience and appreciate learning about distinct cultures.

Through Miss Universe Canada she plans to continue being a driver for change and empower women to embrace every part of themselves as freely and authentically as they desire. She exemplifies what it means to be beautifully confident by inspiring through authenticity and always leads by example. Salomé believes in forging a future where we teach our girls to be brave and authentic rather than perfect.

What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?

I was a ballerina for twelve years and I now take adult ballet classes at the studio I grew up in. I have such a strong love for the art form, and it also helps me maintain my flexibility which I find useful in the gym. Initially, after I stopped dancing, I began weightlifting to keep active and it has now become part of my daily routine and a way to healthily decompress from all the stresses that come from being a full-time university student. My passion is empowering young women to pursue careers in STEM. As the Hamilton Chapter Coordinator for the Canadian Association for Girls in Science, I have the opportunity to create unique STEM related experiences for youth while showing them the importance of diversity in these fields. Along side ballet, I took piano and vocal lessons for a couple of years, and I still love learning the chords to my favourite songs and singing at my piano. Music has always been such an important part of my life and I find it therapeutic and use it to express whatever I’m feeling.

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

I grew up at a conservatory for the arts and I had the opportunity to explore a variety of art forms including:

• Ballet
• Lyrical
• Piano
• Vocal training
• Visual Arts

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

I ran track for a year in high school and was also on the women’s rugby team as a junior.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

My cousin Dr. Valentina Grajales. She is a respected urologic oncology fellow at UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside Hospital however, throughout her life, she has also been a model and a gifted artist who even studied in France. She showed me firsthand the versatility of women, how we should never let just one thing define us and to have the courage to pursue every one of your dreams. Her unorthodox journey to becoming a physician gave me the courage to apply to my engineering program despite being two years behind my cohort and she continues to inspire me to break stereotypes. She taught me that the only person capable of setting limits on your goals is yourself.

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

Going on my first solo trip this past summer to Barcelona. It started off as me wanting to go see one of my favourite artists in concert and it felt like fate when I saw she was performing in the city I had always dreamed of visiting. Unfortunately, none of my friends were available to join me and I initially thought I wouldn’t be able to go anymore until I took the leap of faith and booked everything on my own. I was admittedly so nervous after my parents dropped me off at the airport and the butterflies persisted up until I landed in Spain. Everything changed the second my taxi started driving into the city and I had my little movie moment realizing I was living out a true bucket list dream. Having to navigate everything on my own helped me grow immensely and further developed my ability to think on my feet and be a problem solver. I even got over my fear of eating alone at a restaurant! The entire trip felt surreal and although there were some difficult moments a piece of my heart will always be in Barcelona and with the incredible people I met and made the experience unforgettable.

What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

I almost fell down a sewer hole when I was around seven years old. I was playing with my brother in a parking lot waiting for my parents to get off of work and while running I stepped on a grate that wasn’t completely sealed and fell through. Luckily my reflexes kicked in and my arms caught me before I completely plummeted to my demise, and I managed to pull myself out. I still have a giant scar on my right leg from scraping the metal on my way down and to this day I refuse to step on any sewer holes.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

I would love to combine my passion for STEM and my technical skills with my desire to impact the world and others in a positive way. I am currently working in the electric vehicle industry which I thoroughly enjoy and has allowed me to be a part of creating a more sustainable future however, throughout my undergraduate experience, I have been exposed to many different fields within engineering in which I am also interested. I initially wanted to pursue a career in medicine which is why my goal is to work in the bio-medical field; creating products that directly change people’s lives. My father was a recipient of a double knee replacement and seeing how when combined, engineering and medicine can completely alter the life of an individual for the better, only strengthened my desire to use my educational background as a force for good. I also aspire to continue making a difference through the various Women in Engineering organizations I am involved in. I am currently a mentor for the Women in Engineering Society at McMaster University, and I am also the coordinator for the Hamilton chapter of the Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS) and volunteer for the Oakville CAGIS Chapter. My goal through these organizations has always been to provide an encouraging and positive environment for young women and to encourage them to pursue whatever they are interested in and never be afraid to dream big. I aspire to have a larger platform to have the ability to impact even more young women and bring light to the obstacles women still face in the STEM professional and academic realm and demonstrate the vitality of inclusivity in a field that quite literally builds the world around us and engages in every aspect of our lives. I do not want the next generation of female STEM professionals to have to be trail blazers in their fields; I want them to already have a seat at the table without having to overcome biases and obstacles to get to the seat.

What would be your “dream job” in life?

Aside from continuing my work of empowering women and promoting equity is STEM through my own organization, I would love to design and build set stages for concerts. I have loved music my whole life and the ability it has to move people. I was left in awe after attending one of my favourite artists’ concerts and seeing him appear from a life-sized truck and watching it transform into a stage. I saw the basics of what I was learning in school applied to create true art and an unforgettable experience for thousands of people. This would allow me to combine two of my passions while also being a part of creating experiences that provide so much joy for others.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

I was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario and was fortunate enough to have grown up in a supportive and loving family. My parents have always been my greatest cheerleaders and did everything in their power to support every dream I had. This even meant standing in line with me for 12 hours when I had my brief, I want to be a popstar moment at ten years old and tried out for the talent competition “The Next Star”. I come from an exceptionally large family; my dad alone has fifteen siblings. This meant I was constantly surrounded by community and had the chance to grow up with so many cousins that were my age, including my Godbrother who I have been fortunate enough to have as my best friend for the last 22 years. My best memories revolve around being outdoors where summers were picnics at bayfront park, camping adventures, lazy days at my aunt’s pool, and the exhilaration of racing down snow-covered hills on toboggans during winter. I also attribute my independence and determination to watching my family navigate my father’s health issues as a kid. My dad was on dialysis for many years before receiving a kidney transplant in 2009. Watching my mom work full time, take care of my dad post surgery, and raise two young kids felt like watching a superhero in action. She taught me to be the strong woman I am today and has always led by example.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

I would say my current position would be the most unusual because of the creative approaches we often have to take in the automotive industry to do our jobs. For example, I spent about two months essentially giving mini ultrasounds to car parts as part of our validation process. I have even witnessed the use of sticky notes as measuring devices!

List any volunteering you have done.

I began volunteering at a young age at the church I grew up in and for the Hispanic Association in Hamilton. I helped with charity food drives and fundraising events that the parish would throw and was part of a folklore dance group that would perform at various cultural/fundraising events. Throughout my engineering program I have joined clubs such as the Engineering & Society Students Association where I helped run and plan events such as our annual holiday charity fundraiser where we’d collect items to donate to Mission Services Hamilton. I have also been a part of the McMaster Women in Engineering Society mentorship program for the last two years where I am paired with a first- or second-year mentee to help guide them through the difficult first few years of the program and serve as academic and overall support. I am currently the Hamilton Chapter Coordinator for the Canadian Association for girls in Science. The organization is the largest and longest-running STEM Club for girls and gender diverse youth and supports interest in STEM. As the coordinator I plan and run curated hands-on events, such as bridge building competitions. We also collaborate with STEM experts to provide unique experiences such as taking a tour of the McMaster Hatch Bay where all the technical team competition vehicles are built and stored and provide members with the opportunity to construct their own solar powered cars.

What is your most unusual talent?

As a mechanical engineering student I learned Computer Automated Design (CAD) and I enjoy designing things on my own and 3D printing them. This comes in handy a lot when trying to come up with creative gift ideas!

Where is the most interesting place you have been to?

Xel-ha in Mexico! it is a natural water park located in Tulum where I got to explore the underwater wildlife and float on a never-ending river that flowed out to the Caribbean sea. I have always loved the ocean and being in the water is truly my happy place. Even though I went when I was 17, I felt like a kid again going down their enormous water slide and even tried out their obstacle course in the middle of the river!

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

I hope to have graduated from my program and be working as an engineer in an industry that allows me to positively impact the lives of others, whether that is creating devices that improve an individual’s health or being apart of designing unforgettable experiences for thousands of people. I aspire to have a platform such as a podcast where I get to share my passion for equity in STEM as well as my various interests including beauty, fashion, and music. I consider myself to be in a constant state of evolution. The only perpetual things in my life are my values and desire to make a difference in this world and as long as I am in a position where those are being realized I will be more than happy.

Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?

Even if I didn’t always know exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always knew I wanted to be a voice for change and positivity. I care so deeply about the people I love and the causes I carry close to my heart and have always tried to fight for what I believe in. Now having found my purpose and my passions, I know this platform will give me an opportunity to put a spotlight on the incredible women I have met through my educational and personal journey, the difficulties we still face and show that despite the strides we have made there is still so much more that needs to be done. Often there is a fear associated with being too feminine or expressing interest in things that only seem to ostracize you more from your male peers and coworkers. I want to show the versatility of women and how we should never be limited to one thing, and pursuing all our interests and passions shouldn’t be equated with being less than capable of excelling in our careers. Being Miss Universe Canada means being able to represent the country that has given me the opportunity to never have to limit my dreams and goals. It means being a role model for young girls who may feel out of place because of their seemingly conflicting interests and their heritage. I want to be what Camila Gonzalez was to me; the representation that gave me the confidence to pursue what I wanted knowing someone like me was on that stage. I was so fortunate to have been born in a country that allows you to embrace every part of you and doesn’t make you choose one identity to be seen as an equal Canadian. As Madison’s national costume said: Inclusivity makes dreams come true and here I am fighting for mine.