As we count down to Breaking Barriers: Women Pioneering Leadership in Power & Energy, we’re shining a light on each of our powerhouse panelists. This week, meet Janis Rogers, Chief Financial Officer at Rising Edge Group, a leader whose career has been shaped by bold decisions, pivotal moments, and a strong sense of purpose.
In this Q&A, Janis shares what it means to lead in a traditionally male-dominated field, how she’s navigated key career transitions, and the advice she has for women ready to step into leadership roles and advocate for themselves.
Catch Janis live at our virtual panel on May 26, 2025!
About Rising Edge Group
Rising Edge Group is a leading provider of high voltage electrical services, specializing in engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning solutions across North America. Our commitment to excellence is embedded in everything we do – which includes recognizing that diverse perspectives strengthen our teams and drive better outcomes. We are especially dedicated to supporting women, among others, in energy and leadership, working to breakdown barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. Through partnerships with organizations like Women+Power and others, we actively promote mentorship, training, and career development opportunities for women across all levels of our organization. By fostering a culture where individual’s skills, ideas, and leadership are valued, we are building a stronger, more innovative future for our industry.
About Janis Rogers
Janis Rogers is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Rising Edge Group. Janis brings a unique blend of financial experience and industry experience that drive business growth and informed decision-making. With close to 10 years of service with Rising Edge, Janis has progressed from Project Controls to Financial Controller and now CFO, leveraging her CPA designation and honors in Marketing and Management.
Janis has made significant contributions to the company, including standardizing revenue recognition reporting, stabilizing monthly financial reporting, supporting the transition of ownership, optimizing bank relationships, implementing a new Timesheet system, and driving the Business Intelligence initiative. Her goals include streamlining data systems, supporting growth in new markets, and addressing emerging ESG trends and global standards for clients.Her ability to balance personal growth with excellence has earned her numerous awards, including CIAU Academic All Canadian status and recognition for her leadership in community outreach programs. She continues to lead effective change through her executive position which included partnering with Women+Power as one of several calls to action that Rising Edge has taken to support meaningful change within the energy sector.
Q&A with Janis Rogers
Why is this conversation—about women in leadership in energy—important right now?
This conversation is important because there are still important gaps to fill. Women still earn less than their male peers statistically. Women are still underrepresented in leadership. If by talking about the real choices that we make over the duration of our careers means that more women will ask for options, will put their hand up to be considered for a role, or will have the confidence to be heard in a room where they are the minority, then women will become represented. The choices that we make contribute to the statistical results.
What does it mean to you to be a woman leader in Alberta’s power and energy industry today?
Ironically it increases my faith in modern men! For years female leadership was an effort to rally against the patriarchy, which it still is, but it’s no longer a rally cry of female voices alone. The attitude of the modern leader is to embrace the impact of the individual, seeing beyond gender, ethnicity, religious or cultural beliefs. We are collectively better when we learn from each other.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your leadership journey?
The most pivotal moments in my career were also the ones that felt the scariest! There are several moments, but I’ll touch on two. First when I chose to enter the CMA program; I was on maternity leave with my third son, so not an ideal time to go back to school. But I had been toying with this idea for some time. At this stage of my career I had been working in Project Controls in the EPC industry for about 10 years, and I always wanted to understand the impact on our clients financial statements better. I wanted to see if from the other side, and the CMA program was an opportunity to learn this, so I decided to do this hard, scary thing.
The second moment was when I agreed to take on the Controller role at Rising Edge. When I first came to work for Rising Edge, I still had three small children, and I once again asked to work part time. I was working with their Project Controls group, where I worked directly with the President, Nick Maher, on the Harry Smith program. When Nick approached me about taking over as the Controller of the Accounting group, I was terrified! I had the training for it through my CMA, but I had no experience. Rising Edge had shown me through actions that they put people first, which aligned with the kind of person and leader that I wanted to be, so if I was going to take this kind of scary step in my career, this was the kind of place where I could do it.
What barriers have you encountered in your career, and how did you overcome them?
Work life balance; the mommy train is real! It is really tough to stay relevant when you disappear for a year or more. And there is also a personal transformation that you undergo as you step into the role of parent. It is a challenge not to lose yourself while putting your children first; and you go through this battle of not feeling like you are enough for either aspect of your life.
I decided that the best way for me to teach my boys to value women was to show them what I was capable of. It was extremely important that I was not afraid to ask for what I wanted. No one offered this option to me; I had to ask to work part-time; to adapt my schedule to be more available to my children. I knew that my skillset was highly sought after, so I took the risk and set my terms. “Yes I’m interested in working for you, but would it be possible to do so at 32 hours per week instead of 40?”
What advice would you offer to the next generation of women entering this industry?
Listen. Take risks. Understand what you value, and how you want to be valued. There will be moments in your life where you will have to make choices; listen to those around you to ensure that they value the same things. It is less scary to take risks in a space where your values align, and more imperative to take risks and branch out in new directions when you find yourself in a situation where those values don’t align.
How has your organization supported your growth or contributed to advancing women in energy?
I think Rising Edge has really taken hold of these values and through their partnerships have supported the progress of women in energy. In the last 2 years, Rising Edge has partnered with Women Building Futures (WBF), an organization that empowers women to build careers in skilled trades, construction, and other industry sectors where they have been historically underrepresented. As an Employer of Choice by WBF, we provide support services and career opportunities to women who have received their pre-apprenticeship training, career coaching, and other support services to help empower and create opportunities for economic security and success. Through this partnership, alongside Women+Power, we aim to foster mentorship, provide access to training and education, and build rewarding career paths for women to thrive in technical and leadership roles.
Additionally, we recognize the importance of representation. Ensuring that women are part of our workforce strengthens our teams by highlighting the diverse skills, capabilities, experiences, and problem-solving strategies that are brought to the table. Creating a more dynamic, resilient, and innovative workplace for everyone. We are proud to support these initiatives that not only support personal and professional growth but also contribute to building
a stronger more inclusive energy sector overall.
What role do you see companies playing in creating more inclusive energy workplaces?
Supporting events like this where we can have open and honest conversations about the challenges. Not only does this educate women in the early stages of their career paths, but it will also educate leaders and help them to become more empathic.
Closing Thoughts
Janis Rogers is a remarkable example of what it means to lead with integrity, courage, and vision in Alberta’s energy sector. Her story is a testament to what’s possible when individuals and the companies that support them are willing to take bold steps toward change.
We’re thrilled to feature Janis as part of Breaking Barriers: Women Pioneering Leadership in Power & Energy, and we hope her journey inspires more women to define their own path to leadership.