YWE AWARDS

YWE AWARDS

Held since 2014, the annual Awards program recognizes and rewards Alberta’s emerging leaders in energy that demonstrate exceptional leadership, community investment, professional expertise and those advancing gender equity. 

We know there are many deserving women out there.

This is more than an opportunity to be recognized by your employer, the industry, and your peers.

It’s a chance to raise your profile and get the recognition you deserve.

Apply or Nominate

Nominations for the 2026 Awards open October 15, 2026.

Sign up to our newsletter for details when the nomination period opens.

#NominateHer for a 2026 YWE Award

Do you know an emerging female leader working in Alberta’s energy sector that deserves to be profiled and recognized? Nominate her below!

The annual Young Women in Energy (YWE) Awards program recognizes and rewards Alberta's top young women that demonstrate exceptional leadership and who are "changing the face of energy".

We’re looking for candidates who demonstrate the following attributes and qualities:

  • Exhibit drive, motivation and the desire to lead.

  • Demonstrate vision, leadership and an entrepreneurial spirit.

  • Propose innovative or new initiatives.

  • Make a difference in the industry and greater community.

Awards Criteria

  • All applicants must identify as female or non-binary.

  • All applicants must work and reside within Alberta.

  • All applicants must be 40 years of age or under (as of December 31, 2026).

  • All applicants must have 5+ years professional experience, with a minimum of 3 related to the energy industry (this excludes time spent in student work terms, co-op placements and internships).

  • Applicants must work "in” or “for” an energy company or at an energy-related service provider.

Nominations will be accepted until November 30, 2026 (11:59PM MST). Upon receiving nominations, we will notify each nominee and encourage them to submit an application.

If you are considering applying for a 2026 YWE Award yourself, there is no need to wait for a nomination as it is not a requirement to apply! Please refer to our Application Guidance Package to get started.

Applications for the 2026 YWE Awards will be accepted until January 4, 2027 (11:59PM MST). Award recipients will be announced in March 2027.

For more information, please contact awards@youngwomeninenergy.com.

Note: While we certainly appreciate that some nominees would like to thank those who nominated them, we don't facilitate that on their behalf in the effort to maintain anonymity within the nomination process. We leave it up to those who submitted nominations to contact the individual directly if you wish to notify them.

2025 YWE AWARDS WINNERS

Congratulations to our 2025 winners. The 2025 YWE Award Winners will be honoured at the Awards Celebration in May 2026. Further details to be provided shortly.

Each award recipient is paired with an industry executive through the Awards Mentorship Program and welcomed into the Awards Alumni network, among other benefits, supporting continued professional development and connection.

Alise Vandersalm
Engagement Manager
McKinsey & Company

Amanda Calleberg
Commercial Advisor
Inter Pipeline

Ashley Marshall
Piping General Superintendent Kiewit Energy Canada

Karen Ngo
Project Engineer
Cenovus Energy

Katie Howes
Project Engineer, Corporate Liability
Canadian Natural

Keltey Heathcott
Director, Investments - Major Projects Office, Government of Canada (secondment from ATCO Group)

Lindsay Campbell
Manager, Sustainability, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)

Nathalie Carson
Operations Lead
Imperial Oil

Neneh Thapar
"Senior Manager, Strategy & Business Design
Deloitte

Summer Okibe
Policy Analyst
Government of Alberta

Joule thanks everyone who submitted nominations and applications through our #NominateHer campaign, as well as all nominees and applicants, for their dedication to strengthening the energy industry. Your continued support plays an important role in recognizing women, inspiring future leaders, and advancing representation & retention within the industry.

To stay connected and learn more about our upcoming Awards Celebration, follow us on LinkedIn.

YWE extends sincere appreciation to the Peer Review Committee (consisting of volunteers and Awards Alumni) and the 2025 Executive Review Committee for lending their time and expertise in recognizing the next generation of leaders across Alberta’s energy industry.

The 2025 YWE Awards Executive Selection Committee was comprised of the following industry executives: 

  • Max Chan, SVP, Operations and Engineering, Liquids Pipelines, Enbridge

  • Kristi Cawthorn, CEO, Startec

  • John Kousinioris, President and CEO, TransAlta Corporation

  • Stastia West, President & Country Chair and VP, Canada Integrated Gas, Shell Canada

  • Tracy Sletto, CEO, Canada Energy Regulator

  • Dave Oldreive, Executive Vice-President, Downstream, Suncor

Award Winner Benefits

In addition to promotion within the Joule community through social media announcements & press releases, there are several benefits offered to YWE Award winners. 

Benefits include:

  • YWE Award Keepsake

  • Letter of award recognition sent to employer (recipients can pick a leader of choice)

  • Pairing with an industry executive mentor for a year

  • Attendance & recognition at the YWE Awards Celebration Event held by Joule

  • Professional headshot session

  • Training and speaking opportunities

  • Free admittance to select Joule events for one year

  • Profiled in partner industry publications

  • Join an incredible network of 100+ previous YWE Award Winners with the opportunity to attend regularly scheduled Awards Alumni Events.

2025 Selection Process

Sign up to our newsletter for details when the nomination period opens.

  • Oct 15, 2025 – Dec 1, 2025 | Nomination Period

  • Oct 15, 2025 – Jan 5, 2026 | Application Period

  • Jan 2026 | Peer Review & Executive Review

  • Feb 2026 | All applicants notified of their outcome

  • Mar 2026 | Press release to publicly announce award winners

  • May 6, 2026 | Awards Celebration Event

    • Grace Meikle, Director for Technology Impact, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)

    • Jenna Richardson-Prager, Senior Commercial Advisor, Suncor

    • Dr. Jiarao Huang, PhD, Senior Data Science Manager, Enverus

    • Jillian Johnson, Canadian Hydrogen Projects Lead, Green Cat Hydrogen Ltd

    • Kaleigh MacDonald, P.Eng, MBA, Performance & Transformation Lead, Shell

    • Karen Vanthuyne, Manager, Operations Systems Data Management, AESO

    • Marjorie Mallare, P.Eng, Utilities and Hydroprocessing Technical Lead Engineer, Imperial Oil

    • Maya Douglas, LL.M., Senior Manager, ESG Law, KPMG Law

    • Stephanie Raill, CRSP, Liquids Pipelines DEI Projects Lead (Secondment), Enbridge

    • Taban Sabih, P.Eng, LLM, Senior Electrical Engineer, Cenovus Energy

    • Alma Hadzic, Economy Growth and Sustainability Director, Deloitte

    • Danica Hicks, Steam Chief, Imperial Oil Resources Limited

    • Eva Kiefer, Co-Founder & CFO, Akira Impact

    • Heather Leahey, Vice President, Intelligence, Enverus

    • Jana McDonald, Founder and CEO, Guardyan Conservation Corp.

    • Janine Woo, Senior Innovation Engineer, Enbridge

    • Julie Hawco, Specialist Development Engineer, Suncor

    • Madison Savilow, Chief of Staff, Carbon Upcycling Technologies

    • Sheliza Kassam, Project Engineer, Cenovus Energy

    • Shoshi Soni, Director, Policy and Planning, Government of AlbertaAlma Hadzic, Economy Growth and Sustainability Director, Deloitte

    • Danica Hicks, Steam Chief, Imperial Oil Resources Limited

    • Eva Kiefer, Co-Founder & CFO, Akira Impact

    • Heather Leahey, Vice President, Intelligence, Enverus

    • Jana McDonald, Founder and CEO, Guardyan Conservation Corp.

    • Janine Woo, Senior Innovation Engineer, Enbridge

    • Julie Hawco, Specialist Development Engineer, Suncor

    • Madison Savilow, Chief of Staff, Carbon Upcycling Technologies

    • Sheliza Kassam, Project Engineer, Cenovus Energy

    • Shoshi Soni, Director, Policy and Planning, Government of Alberta

    • Ali Arnell, Director, Assurance, PWC

    • Dani Urton, Director, Energy Transition & Climate Change, Vertex Resource Group Ltd.

    • Farheen Akbar, Project Engineer, Vista Projects

    • Isabelle Varney, General Manager, Maintenance & Reliability, Base Plant Upgrading, Suncor

    • Jessica Shumlich, CEO, Highwood Emissions

    • Kaitlyn Gammon, Project Manager - Hydrogen, Certarus

    • Laura Pysyk, Senior Engineer Hydrogen Projects, Natural Gas, ATCO Gas

    • Lindsay Morgan, Manager, Commercial Marketing, Athabasca Oil Corporation

    • Megan Gill, Manager, Regulatory, Capital Power and Founder of Repowered Leadership

    • Shafak Sajid, Senior Advisor, Indigenous and Community Relationships, Pathways Alliance

    • Andrea Hepp, Deal Lead – Acquisitions, Divestments & New Business Development, Shell Canada Limited

    • Bita Malekian, Engineer-in-Training, TC Energy & Founder of Water Movement

    • Christina Iversen, Chief of Staff, Alberta Energy Regulator

    • Ivy Cheung, Contract Performance Manager, Real Estate, Shell Canada Limited

    • Janice Tran, CEO, Kanin Energy

    • Joeti Lall, Senior Program Development Advisor, Enbridge Inc.

    • Kristine O’Rielly, Senior Consultant, Delphi Group

    • Lauretta Pearse, Civil & Environmental Engineer – Strategic Advisory Services, Associated Engineering

    • Leora Hornstein, Well-Being Specialist, Cenovus Energy

    • Vilasini P. Pillay, Director, Marketing and Social Impact, SkyFire Energy Inc.

    • Ana Villarreal-Escudero, Mechanical Design Engineer, Canada Gas Projects, TC Energy

    • Candice Paton, Executive Director, Clean Technology, Alberta Innovates

    • Cheryl Johnson, Manager, Sustainability and Policy, TC Energy

    • Kirsten Baker, Director, Digital Operations, PWC

    • Megan Marshall, Senior Community Programs Advisor, Cenovus Energy Inc.

    • Nagwan Al-Guneid, Communications Lead, Energy Futures Lab

    • Nicole Wiedman, Indigenous Relations Manager, MEG Energy

    • Robyn Seetal, Principal Consultant, IkTaar Sustainability

    • Sarah Waseem, Real Estate Services Manager, Shell Canada Ltd.

    • Vanessa Goodman, Manager, External Relations, North West Redwater Partnership

    • Sarah Lerner: Manager, Corporate Planning and Marketing at Karve Energy Inc.

    • Julia-Maria Becker: Director of the Business Renewables Centre Canada at the Pembina Institute

    • Terri-Lynn Duque: Director, Strategic Innovation at ENMAX Power Corporation

    • Deidre Norman: Future Opportunities Subsurface Engineering and Geoscience Supervisor at Imperial Oil

    • Nayyara Mandjee: Team Lead, Environmental and Property Solutions at Imperial Oil

    • Gillian Hynes: Director of People and Community at Enhance Energy

    • Jeanine Vany: Executive Vice President, Geoscience at Eavor Technologies Inc.

    • Melissa Mathieson: Senior Regulatory Professional

    • Alexandria Shrake, strategy and planning analyst, Chevron Canada Resources

    • Alice Yu, business strategist, Climate, City of Calgary

    • Jessica Wiseman, senior manager, Consulting and Deals, PwC Canada

    • Kara Levis, senior legal counsel, Energy Law, TransCanada Corporation

    • Laura Weeden, vice-president, Operations, CanWhite Sands Corp.

    • Mavis Ure Director, Base Plant Tailings Operations, Suncor Energy

    • Molly Beckel, facilities integrity and reliability Engineer, Canada Gas Operations, TransCanada

    • Dr. Shauna Lee-Chai, research scientist & program lead, Indigenous Relations, InnoTech Alberta

    • Sophie Kolterjahn, senior advisor, Talent Planning and Acquisition, Cenovus Energy

    • Patrycja Drainville, senior advisor, Strategic Issues & Risk, chief sustainability office, Suncor Energy

    • Aalia Ratani, Engagement Manager, McKinsey & Company

    • Courtney Dragani, Senior Advisor, Enterprise Information Systems Planning, Cenovus Energy

    • Elysse Dalla-Longa, Crude Oil Trader, Tidal Energy Marketing

    • Jeanette Patell, Vice President, Government Affairs and Policy, GE Canada

    • Jil Macdonald, Vice President, Science and Evaluation Branch, Alberta Energy Regulator

    • Liz Lappin, Exploration Manager, E3 Metals Corp.

    • Maja Nisbet, Program Manager, Pipeline Integrity, Enbridge Inc.

    • Marnie Smith, Senior Client Partner, Korn Ferry International

    • Maude Ramsay, Senior Supervisor, Environment and Regulatory, Devon Canada Corporation

    • Rochelle Longval, Exploration Geologist (GIT), Cenovus Energy

    • Siobhan Galbraith, Legal Counsel, Schlumberger Canada Limited

    • Tara Chahl, Project Manager, Keymay Industries

    • Beth Pollock, Assistant Treasurer, Gibson Energy

    • Christa Tucker, Category Manager, Supply Chain Management, Husky Energy

    • Christine Daly, Senior Reclamation Advisor, Oil Sands Strategic Technology, Suncor Energy

    • Elizabeth Logan, P.Eng., Manager, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, Ernst & Young LLP

    • Jennifer Lewis, Category Management Advisor, Cenovus

    • Katherine Sinex. P.Eng., Alberta Regulatory Affairs Advisor, Chevron

    • Laura McIntyre, P.Eng., Senior Supervisor, Production Engineering, Jackfish 3, Devon Energy

    • Lauren Rooney, Business Strategy Manager, Accenture

    • Laurence Nguyen, Senior National Account Manager, CN Rail

    • Leanne Zee, Senior Communications Specialist, Public Affairs and Communications, TransCanada


    • Ruth Amarilla, Manager, Strategic Spend Management, ConocoPhillips

    • Vicki Ballance, Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

    • Pam Garden, Senior Employee Experience Specialist, Enerplus

    • Tulika Gupta, Analyst, Major Projects to Executive Vice President, Suncor Energy

    • Oksana Kielbasinski, Director, Sustainability and Risk, Integrated Sustainability Consultants Ltd.

    • Vicki Lightbown, Senior Manager, Water and Environmental Management, Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions

    • Kiely MacLean, General Manager and CEO, Director, RJ Oil Inc. and RJ MacLean Tank Services

    • Rebekah Mohr, PCD IT Security Team Specialist, Shell

    • Anamika Mukherjee, Specialist, Air and Energy Efficiency, Cenovus Energy

    • Alina Gabdrakhmanova, Subsea Project Engineer, WorleyParsons

    • Andrea Grant, Management Consultant, Stratos

    • Anne Harding, Sr. Advisor, Stakeholder and Aboriginal Relations, Suncor Energy

    • Brittney Ramsay, President, Britt Land Services

    • Chelsey Reschke, Vice President, Coating Division, Keymay Industries

    • Chidinma Thompson, Sr. Associate, BLG

    • Christina Pilarski, Manager Campaigns, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

    • Holly Turner, Functional Excellence Lead, Finance, ConocoPhillips Canada

    • Jacqueline O’Toole, Operations Engineer, Husky Energy

    • Jennifer Winter, Associate Director, Energy and Environmental Policy, The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary


  • Molly Beckel, 2018 YWE Award Recipient

    “Organizations like YWE are vital to help us see how this industry aligns with what we believe in and answer questions like: Why is the industry interesting? Why is it challenging? Why should women stay? The community aspect is extremely important.”

  • Alexandria Shrake, 2018 YWE Award Recipient

    “I’ve never thought of myself as a leader, but through the community cultivated by YWE, I feel like I do have something to offer. Meeting peers who could use support and see me as a role model, I can’t go back and say, ‘that’s not who I am’, because that would invalidate them. I want to be a role model for others if they see me that way, and I don’t want to shy away from that anymore.”

  • Alina Gabdrakhmanova, 2014 YWE Award Recipient

    “I am very passionate about the work that the Young Women in Energy are doing and the issues they are addressing which culminated in this meaningful award. Promoting diversity in the workplace and increasing female leadership in the energy industry is close to my heart, and I felt privileged to meet so many other women who care about this and have high expectations of themselves and others.”