2019 Year-in-Review
Dear WIECan Members,
Happy Holidays to all of you and we wish you all the best in the New Year!
2019 was a great year for WIECAN – our membership has grown, our mentorship program is thriving and we brought you a number of terrific events. Since our inception in late 2015, Women In Energy Canada now stands at 463 members. Here is a review of what we have done in 2019 and a peek at what is coming in 2020.
WIECAN Website
Our website describes our mission, leadership team as well as our events and initiatives. We would like to thank National Bank of Canada and Fasken for managing our website and keeping it up to date.
Mentorship Program
Since its debut in 2018, we have matched 17 members with mentors. We offer our sincere gratitude to these mentors for their willingness to devote their time and efforts to this program.
Events
March 4, 2019 - Baker & McKenzie hosted a successful lunch and learn session on the current energy policy direction of Ontario with Sarah Simmons (Power Advisory LLC), George Vegh (McCarthy Tétrault) and Indy Butany-DeSouza (Alectra Utilities Corporation).
June 5, 2019 - DBRS hosted a lunch and learn session on emerging trends and developments in DBRS rating methodologies for energy led by Andrew Lin (DBRS). The sixty seats available were taken up quickly and the session was very informative.
May 29, 2019 - Fasken graciously hosted our spring social event – it was great evening of enjoying wine and chocolate while catching up with friends and colleagues from the energy sector with over 80 members attending.
October 15, 2019 - RBC hosted a dinner and Catalyst-powered discussion on Unconscious Bias led by Tanya van Biesen (Executive Director, Catalyst Canada) and moderated by Vickie Turnbull (Managing Director and Co-Head Infrastructure Finance, RBC Capital Markets). This event was fully subscribed within minutes!
Site Visit and Networking Event in November - Members attended a site visit of the Sir Adam Beck No. 2 Generating Station located in Niagara Falls followed by lunch at the Backhouse in Niagara on the Lake. This site visit (made possible by the efforts of Nicolle Butcher (OPG)) and the sponsorship of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg, McCarthy Tétrault and Osler Hoskin & Harcourt was truly enjoyed by all participants!
We have a number of exciting events planned for 2020 including site visits, the continuation of our lunch and learn series, panel discussions and social networking events. Please stay tuned!
Our events are made possible through the sponsorship of members and their firms. A big thank you to all of our 2019 sponsors, notably Baker & McKenzie, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg, DBRS, Fasken, McCarthy Tétrault, National Bank, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt and RBC Capital Markets.
The WIECan Steering Committee values your membership and we welcome your ideas on how WIECan can continue to grow and further its mission. Suggestions or interest in sponsorship can be sent by email to Lynn Parsons, Suzanne Murphy, Ella Plotkin or Rayna Narayansingh.
Thank you for all of your support in 2019 and we look forward to seeing you in 2020!
