POWER FROM THE PEOPLE
Tanya Mushynski, Lavanya Hariharan Enbridge Gas
MORE AND MORE INITIATIVES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO ENGAGE SUPPORT FOR WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES, AND WXN IS CERTAINLY HELPING WITH THAT. — TANYA MUSHYNSKI
ENBRIDGE HAS HELPED ME GROW THROUGH ENCOURAGEMENT AND IN ACKNOWLEDGING THE BENEFITS OF DIVERSITY IN EVERY CORNER OF THE WORKPLACE. — LAVANYA HARIHARAN
Tanya Mushynski, vice-president customer care, and Lavanya Hariharan, team lead technician services, are two exemplary females who are helping to power Enbridge Gas forward. As winners of WXN CIBC Executive Leaders Award and WXN CP Skilled Trades Award, respectively, they shine brightly as role models to other women — not only in the energy sector but across the country.
Mushynski leads the strategy, operations and integration of Enbridge’s customer interface functions and is accountable for the systems and processes that support the business’s 3.8 million retail customers. She holds a BA in economics and political science, Bachelors of law and civil law, as well as two Masters degrees — one in business administration, the other in adult education and counselling psychology.
She began her career in private practice at a Toronto law firm but it was not long before she felt the call to an in-house role, wanting to be closer to the decision-making. In 2001 she joined a large legal team at Ontario Power Generation (OPG), where the practice areas were broad and diverse. It was here that Mushynski developed an interest in change management and human resources and completed her Masters in education and psychology.
The move to OPG signalled the start of a long-term career in the energy sector. From OPG, Mushynski joined the legal department at Enbridge, where she was later invited to step into the role she holds today.
“I was immensely grateful to have been offered the vice-president of customer care position as, on the surface, it was not one that I had identified as a step along my path. That said, my varied education, which brings with it many different perspectives, allows me to contribute from a number of angles, especially on the behavioural science side of things. It has been a wonderful career opportunity.”
The career move has also been a boon for Enbridge. Since taking on her current role in 2019, Mushynski has led a major transformation in customer service. This includes making multi-million-dollar investments in technology to reduce costs and increase efficacy of the interface that supports almost four million customers each year. Her work helped the company exceed revenue and cost-management targets through a period of significant organizational change during a global pandemic.
Mushynski has a passion for diversity, inclusion and social justice. She has been involved in this area for over two decades and has seen some positive change. “It is something that really aligns well with the best interests of an organization. First, it ensures access to the
broadest possible talent pool and, second, it ensures the creation of an internal environment that leverages the unique perspectives of everyone at the table,” she says. “At one time in male-dominated industries, women were challenged to adapt their style. Now there is recognition that it is in everyone’s interest to address the issue in a different way. More and more initiatives have been designed to engage support for women in leadership roles, and WXN is certainly helping with that.”
Enbridge co-honouree Lavanya Hariharan leads a team of technicians in complex operational areas of work for two natural gas compressor stations in Ontario. She has a Master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering and her experience spans more than 15 years of project and people management in natural gas utility and process industries.
Born and educated in India, Hariharan began her career in the auto industry. In 2008 she emigrated to Canada and worked in rail signalling and security before joining Enbridge six years ago. Her work has garnered prestigious recognition including a Volkswagen design award, a Tyco safety products award of excellence, and numerous Enbridge Stellar awards.
Hariharan drives her team members forward with passion, enthusiasm, inspiration and motivation. She invests the time necessary to determine each person’s strengths, needs and priorities. Her clear communication leads to individual autonomy with the authority to determine the optimal approach for each task. She readily accepts challenges while supporting others to do the same, to be creative, and to turn innovation into positive action.
Hariharan is an active member of the Women@enbridge diversity group. She has direct experience of how even small changes in the workplace can make a difference for women. “When I joined the organization, the only available branded attire in my division was for men. I was literally trying to fit myself into a man’s world. Finding and expressing my own values was tough. Today, women’s clothing is readily available and I am open and direct in asking for what I want or need, or saying no when it’s the right thing to do for myself. I have learned that in your career, you have to stand in your own shoes.”
A strong advocate of introducing children to STEM, Hariharan is a volunteer teacher for remote communities. “In parts of India there are children who want to pursue a career in the sciences yet lack the financial or technical support that will allow them to achieve their goals. I am helping to increase participation and knowledge in the field. It’s my way of paying good fortune forward,” she says. “Over the years that I have been volunteering, I have seen some of those I have taught go on to university and successful careers in STEM. It feels good to be a role model, to show others the work I do, and to clear a path for the next generation of girls and boys.”
Hariharan says that achieving this award will allow her to mentor other women interested in careers in skilled trades.
“They will want to know how I got here and how they can get here too. Strong support is the starting point. Enbridge has helped me grow through encouragement and in acknowledging the benefits of diversity in every corner of the workplace.”