EmPOWERment Hub January Entry: Women in the Workplace Study

January 2021

McKinsey & Company, in partnership with LeanIn.Org, recently completed their 6^th annual study of Women in the Workplace. Since its inception, this study has garnered information from almost 600 companies and a quarter-million people and has acted as a lens to shine a light on the challenges that women face in the workplace. This study took on new importance in 2020, as many women faced their largest challenge to date: managing their careers, families, and homes amid the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The 2020 publication of Women in the Workplace addresses timely topics such as how COVID-19 is affecting women at work and how it is forcing some women – at all levels – to contemplate leaving their careers. It also looks at the impact that COVID-19 has had on women of different races, ethnicities, and women with disabilities. Finally, the report recaps progress that has occurred over the 6-year history of the study and cautions how the effects of COVID-19 could disrupt, halt, and potentially reverse the progress that women have worked so hard for.

However, with every cloud, there is a silver lining. While COVID-19 has turned everyone’s worlds upside down, it has also created opportunities for corporations to step up and create a more flexible and empathetic workplace for all employees – now and into the future.

Read the Full Study

Shaun Andrews

“Diversity of experience, leads to diversity of thought, leads to diversity of action” -Bobby Umar

Shaun is accountable for the continued growth of Enel Green Power in Canada. He is proud to a part of the measured transition to a more sustainable future through the development of economic renewable energy projects. This role allows him to apply the breadth of knowledge he has gained over the last 19 years in the power sector across Canada and parts of the US, while also providing opportunities to learn something new every day. Shaun has worked with some truly incredible women during his career, so when given the opportunity to join the Women+Power team to positively influence diversity and inclusion in the power industry he jumped at the chance. He believes deliberately engaging men in gender inclusion conversations will increase the industry’s progress.

It is also Shaun’s belief that we are on the precipice of major transition in how power and energy are generated, delivered, and consumed. Increasing the diversity of thought by promoting equality is imperative to a successful transition.

Vittoria Bellissimo

Executive Director
Industrial Power Consumers Association of Alberta
Linked In

“I want my daughter’s generation to see the electricity sector as a welcoming, inclusive industry. I want them to see themselves in our leaders and know that there are no artificial limits to their possible success in our sector.”

Vittoria loves working in the electricity sector. She believes that electricity, as a commodity, is fascinating. Supply must instantaneously meet demand, and be metered all along the journey - from generation sources to consumer sites. The sector is an enabler of economic growth in Alberta and needs to balance that with demand for a cleaner, sustainable Alberta grid. Vittoria is excited to be involved in Women+Power and to be part of the change making the industry more inclusive and diverse.

Stefania Cerisano

Director, Information and Governance Services
Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO)
Linked In

“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn't as individuals.” -Jean Vanier

Stefania’s role at AESO is to oversee and champion excellence in the delivery of access to information, privacy and records management programs. She is also responsible for managing the AESO’s operational governance program, including administrative policy management. These corporate services support the AESO in effectively meeting compliance obligations, managing information assets and facilitating transparency, all in support of its public interest mandate. Stefania is keen to make a personal contribution towards advancing a more inclusive and diverse environment that amplifies women within the power industry. She believes the collective efforts of this Board will empower women to better leverage their networks, embrace their value, and demonstrate their resilience in new and “electrifying” ways.

Katrina Edgerton-McGhan

Counsel
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
Linked In

“Please do more to hire, support, and encourage talented women who want to work. Women don’t look or talk like Perry Mason, and you don’t want us to. We often are more creative, smarter, more persistent, and harder-working than men, and we actually win cases. So call me a Lady Lawyer. Just don’t underestimate me in Court.” -Lisa Blatt

Katrina is a litigation lawyer who supports clients in the power industry. As part of her role, she learns in an in-depth way about her clients’ business and goals to help them through challenging times and achieve their desired outcomes. Katrina is an extremely committed pro bono diversity advocate, particularly in the areas of equity and diversity in traditionally male-dominated industries. She feels privileged to be involved in such an important initiative in the power industry.

Elaina Eifler

Director, Employee Resource Centre
ATCO Group
Linked In

“Women have always been powerful and strong. We have made our mark throughout history. When women come together, energy is created, great things happen and we forge our path today and for tomorrow. We are making our history mark now – why not make it even more awesome through initiatives like Women+Power!”

Elaina is responsible for the continued transformation of the Employee Resource Centre function to realize the strategic objective of delivering efficient, timely and cost-effective services to the business as an integral part of the human resources function. She provides inspiration and vision to the team in order to create a more robust and engaging experience for all ATCO employees. Elaina believes that women need to support each other and have many opportunities to understand how to do this in everyday lives and at work. She has been supported by strong mentors and has always been curious and courageous, but only recently learned how to help others be courageous too. Elaina has learned the path to courage and innovation is through vulnerability – and this is the most exiting part because success comes from being yourself. She wants to share what she has learned with other women to lift them up and push them a little so everyone can rise together.

Breanne Fox

Director, Commercial Management
Capital Power Corporation
Linked In

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” -Epictetus

Bre is trailblazing the transformation at Capital Power’s Genesee Generating Station, leading organizational initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions; creating a better future for not only this generation, but for all future generations too. People are her passion and Capital Power empowers her to be her best. Working with teams of highly talented individuals, she is challenged to push boundaries and innovate ways to be better. Involvement in W+P provides a platform for women to share insights, best practices and thoughtful ways of addressing and overcoming challenges. It ensures women all have access to opportunities where they can raise each other up.

Sharleen Gatcha

Director, Operations
Founder and CEO, Women+Power
Balancing Pool
Linked In

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” -Ryunosuke Satoro

Since joining the Balancing Pool, Sharleen has provided leadership including planning and oversight of key strategic initiatives in the areas of board governance, communications, information and privacy, compliance, regulatory and organizational functions. Her job has provided her with the opportunity to apply a great deal of the knowledge and skills obtained throughout more than 25 years working in the energy sector.

Sharleen created Women+Power because she envisioned a power industry that is more inclusive and diverse than what currently exists. Her goal is for Women+Power is to be involved in the conversations that will shape change, so that women can overcome challenges that result from, and in, prevalent underrepresentation at all organizational levels.

Jana Mosley

Senior Vice President – Power Delivery
ENMAX
Linked In

“Leadership is causing something to happen that otherwise wouldn’t. Women+Power is leading a positive shift in the power industry that customers, stakeholders, and shareholders will benefit from for years to come.”

Jana is responsible for ENMAX’s transmission and distribution business. With almost two decades of industry experience, Jana has worked for various utilities, industrial consumers, generators, and the Alberta Electric System Operator. Prior to joining ENMAX in 2015, Jana served as President for Similan Consulting Inc. and advised companies across North America on electricity policy application, connection to the transmission grid, utility processes and project management. She works with a team of talented people who are dedicated to keeping the lights on for Calgarians while looking for innovative ways to meet customer needs in our rapidly evolving industry and give back to many Alberta communities. Jana is grateful for the people in her life who have taken the time to coach and mentor her to be the best version of herself which has enabled her to take on the role she has in the industry today and now she wants to do her part to support and open doors for others to help create a more diverse power industry!

Georgina Newell

CIP Senior Manager and Manager, Operations Compliance
TransAlta
Linked In

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” -Michael Jordan

Georgina manages a team of compliance professionals who oversee risk, regulatory policy, growth projects, reliability standards and market rules across North America. She has spent 20 years of her career working in power distribution, generation, transmission and regulatory compliance. She loves the people and the challenges of working in power generation. Georgina is passionate about helping women in the industry and would like to give back by providing utility knowledge to young women just starting out in their careers. Now is her chance to make an impact!

Cherise Nielsen

Vice President, Development
Aypa Power, a Blackstone Portfolio Company
Linked In

“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made … It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” -Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Cherise is responsible for the development of energy storage and renewable hybrid projects, utilizing the latest technologies that improve the way we generate, store, and use power. She enjoys working on projects from conception to completion and loved being part of a development team that successfully built, commissioned, and operates one of the largest lithium-ion battery storage projects in North America. Having lived and worked in both Canada and the United States, Cherise has had the opportunity to witness the positive effects of diversity in many markets across the power industry. She looks forward to bringing those learnings to Women+Power and believes that together women can create a more inclusive and diverse power industry.

Bailey Rivard

Partner – Valuations, Forensics & Litigation Support Services
CPA, CA·IFA, CBV, CFE, CFF
MNP LLP
Linked In

“It is critical that women have a safe place to come together, to support and empower each other in this industry. We will all benefit when we create a strong community.”

Bailey conducts financial investigations and provides forensic accounting, business valuation, and litigation support assistance to legal counsel and clients, including individuals, owner-managed businesses, corporations, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. As part of her job, she also provides education to lawyers, law students, and the judiciary in understanding financial reporting and the meaning it has in legal matters, as well as other fraud and litigation-specific topics. Bailey recognizes the challenges that women in the power industry face and is excited about working with a group of individuals who will foster an environment to make meaningful change.

Shanelle Sinclair

Manager, Regulatory
Heartland Generation Ltd.
Linked In

“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” -Anne Sweeney

Shanelle is responsible for implementing Heartland’s strategic vision for the Alberta wholesale electricity market and managing the company’s portfolio of regulatory applications. She has considerable experience in competition law relating to electricity markets, compliance, and the regulatory aspects of project development. Shanelle finds it energizing to collaborate with likeminded women through Women+Power.

Carissa Browning

Barrister & Solicitor
EnerNEXT
Linked In

“A ship in harbor is safe — but that is not what ships are built for.” — John A. Shedd.

Carissa is a lawyer, collaborator and negotiator with experience in managing a broad range of legal affairs for government, start-ups, mid-market and multinational companies. She has worked in-house with large electricity power generators in Alberta and British Columbia and represents clients in technology, renewable power, energy services and energy trading. W+P opens doors and provides women with access to opportunities. Diverse and inclusive organizations are good for corporate governance, maximizing creativity, productivity and reducing groupthink. It will benefit the power industry.

Evan Bahry

Executive Director, IPPSA
Linked In

“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” -Margaret Thatcher

Evan has spent a career in public policy; first working in Ottawa for a Minister in Mulroney’s government and now as Executive Director of the Independent Power Producers Society of Alberta (IPPSA). He’s learned a) never to confuse correct with popular, b) there are way more sides than two in any given issue, especially when it comes to electricity policy, and c) and that leadership starts with listening. He’s a devoted husband and proud father.

He recognizes the strong role women have had in Alberta’s electricity industry and wants to help by increasing the opportunities for women, reducing barriers and expanding allies.

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