Skilled Trades Awards

Recognizing outstanding women who contribute immense value and demonstrate excellence in skilled trades, product or service innovation and community involvement

LAVANYA HARIHARAN

M.eng, CSM Supervisor Electrical Controls and Energy Systems, Team Lead Technician Services Storage Transmission and Compressor operations, ENBRIDGE GAS INC.; Systems Integration Manager, TYCO SAFETY PRODUCTS

BIO: Lavanya Hariharan has experience working in operational, engineering and safety leadership roles within Enbridge inc. Prior to joining Enbridge, she worked as a systems integration manager, managing engineering support for security, rail signaling and automotive industry. She is part of Enbridge’s Diversity & Inclusion committee and remote teacher as part of her volunteering efforts. Lavanya is accustomed to managing multimillion-dollar projects, consistently ensuring compliance with safety regulations while exhibiting outstanding leadership.

MOST IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON: Never stop sharing learning! Leadership in not a title but a journey to make a path for others to help travel with you!

ON WHAT POWERFUL MEANS: To me power is compassion and resiliency, it’s not staying down and refusing to get back up but It is power to influence others to persuade their aspirations and goals even there is a fall.

STEPHANIE THOMPSON

P. Eng Engineering Team Leader, GENERAL MOTORS OF CANADA; Chief Executive Officer and Founder, STEM BY STEPH

BIO: Stephanie Thompson is a passionate engineering leader who promotes science and technology innovation in the Niagara area. With an extensive 21-year career at General Motors, she leads engineering teams on capital investment projects and lean manufacturing. In 2018, she created a community social enterprise to break down all barriers for women in STEM. She and her husband raise their daughter to love STEM by exploring the unique ecosystems of Niagara.

MOST IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON: Ignoring the nay-sayers is a very powerful skill to have. Many people will tell you all the reasons you can’t be something or shouldn’t be something.

ON WHAT POWERFUL MEANS: Power is the ability to override the self-doubt when faced with uncertain times and problems, and to help bring teams of people together to resolve the toughest of challenges — both personally and professionally.

MIRIAM JORDI

Project Coordinator, CHANDOS CONSTRUCTION

BIO: Miriam Jordi, a Red Seal Journeyperson sheet metal worker since 2017, faced many challenges in her career path and knew she needed a support system to remain in the trade. She created the Alberta Women in Trades Facebook group to provide support to women in similar jobs. She is now working toward creating a non-profit that will support tradeswomen, increasing recruitment and retention through resources and community support.

MOST IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON: If you fail, try again. Persistence is key.

ON MOTIVATION: I’m inspired by the changes I’ve seen when women stand together and encourage each other. The difference women have made in Construction in 10 years blows my mind. We still have a ways to go, but remembering how far we’ve come already, keeps me going.

ON WHAT MAKES A LEADER: A leader is someone who supports others in being the best they can be.

KELLY WATERMAN

Director Dispatching, CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY

BIO: Kelly Waterman is a Director of Dispatching at Canadian Pacific Railway. She is a leader in a fast-paced industry that requires creative thinking and collaborative efforts across various departments to ensure a safe and fluid railway. Kelly is passionate about a mentorship program created with a fellow female director within the operations centre to encourage women to pursue leadership roles and develop the skills necessary to get them there.

ON MOTIVATION: Focusing on the positive outcomes. Optimism is the foundation of progress.

MY RAW COURAGE: “I AM worth it” — I think often women feel that when recognized in their field, they’re more likely to use terms such as “I’m just doing my job” instead of owning that they did a great job and deserve recognition.

KEELEY PROCKIW

Welder, Rope Access Supervisor, ACUREN

BIO: Keeley is a welder and rope access supervisor currently working in the oil sands of Northern Alberta. She is one of only 25 female level-three rope access technicians in North America and Mexico and only 120 within the world. She has made a name for herself within the industry creating an environment of acceptance, inclusion and openness within the teams she works with.

MOST IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON: The most important lesson I have learned so far in my career is understanding. Understanding that everyone has a story and experiences unique to themselves but together those unique experiences and people can make a fantastic team.

MY RAW COURAGE: I AM a trailblazer. A trailblazer because I am among few in an entirely male dominated industry. I make up 1 of 0.001% females worldwide!

POWER SONG: “Champion”, Barns Courtney. If you fail, try again. Persistence is key I AM determined to leverage my knowledge and position to lift other women

~ Miriam Jordi

~ Ingrid Macintosh