Join us for a discussion on policy and politics 

Register today for the AltaLink-sponsored panel discussion and networking event on Wednesday, November 12. This third annual Women leading ‘the charge’ event will focus on the different work taking place from a policy and government relations perspective in the evolving electricity industry.

Featured speakers:

Cayla Saby, Vice President, Government Relations and Commercial, AltaLink

Cayla has 20 years of experience in the utilities industry, starting her career at AltaLink in 2005. She has held progressively senior customer service roles, including leadership in project execution, operational delivery, and regulatory engagement. Currently, as Vice President of Government Relations and Commercial, Cayla leads policy advocacy, government engagement, and AltaLink’s commercial business. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Culture from the University of Calgary.

Ruhee Ismail-Teja, Vice President, Policy and External Affairs, Calgary Chamber of Commerce

Ruhee Ismail-Teja is a public affairs strategist specializing in government relations, policy, and strategic communications. She holds experience in private, public, and non-profit sectors. Through her career, she has focused on developing policy to enhance the vibrancy of Canada’s business sector, facilitate innovation and technology adoption, and support inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Ruhee currently serves as Vice President, Policy and External Affairs, leading policy, advocacy, media relations, Indigenous economic reconciliation, and diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility for the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. She works directly with businesses, governments, and stakeholders to encourage policy adoption that strengthens the business community and the Calgary community at large. Ruhee has previously served as an economic advisor to the Government of Quebec, worked in government relations in post-secondary, and in the upstream energy industry. 
 
Ruhee is deeply involved in her community, currently serving on the Arts Commons Board of Directors and Max Bell School of Public Policy Advisory Board. She has also recently served on the YMCA Canada Board of Directors, ParticipACTION Board of Directors, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Board of Governors and the Queen’s University Alma Mater Society Board of Directors.

Ruhee holds a Masters of Public Policy from the Max Bell School of Public Policy (McGill University), a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Queen’s University, and a Governance Essentials Certificate from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Ruhee is also an avid runner and triathlete, visual artist, and pianist.

Nicole Spears, Executive Director, Generation, Transmission and Markets, Alberta Affordability and Utilities, Government of Alberta

Nicole is the Executive Director of Generation, Transmission and Markets in Alberta Affordability and Utilities. This Branch is responsible for the legislative, regulatory and policy framework for generation, transmission and markets. Over the last few years GTM has been focused on working with stakeholders and agencies on modernizing transmission policy, updating Alberta’s electricity market, and creating a responsible pathway for new generation to enter the grid.  

Nicole brings over 20 years of provincial and federal government experience, working in clean energy and climate change policy and environmental programs for most of her career. Prior to joining Alberta Energy to work on electricity policy, Nicole was the Director of Climate Change Policy at Environment and Parks, leading a team dedicated to provincial climate strategy development, and sector-specific greenhouse gas reduction programs. Nicole holds a BA in Anthropology, a Diploma in Journalism, and is currently finishing an MSc in Energy Policy and Climate.

(Moderator) Carly Duerr, Director, Capital Replacement & Upgrade Projects, AltaLink

Carly Duerr is the Director, Capital Replacements & Upgrades Projects with AltaLink. She has over 20 years of experience in the utilities sector, and has worked in a variety of different roles in the areas of real-time operations, asset management and project execution. In her current role, she leads a team responsible for the execution of capital maintenance, upgrade and wildfire mitigation projects across AltaLink’s service territory and spanning the disciplines of transmission lines, substations and telecom.

In addition to her role at AltaLink, she currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA) and the Alcove Addiction Recovery for Women Society. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alberta, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary. 

Event details:
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Time: 

• 5 p.m. Welcome and networking
• 5:30 p.m. Panel discussion, audience Q&A
• 6:30 p.m. Networking

Location: The Atrium at Trolley 5 (upper level), 728 17th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta

For event details and to register, please click here. We hope to see you there!