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Moms tackling the energy crisis

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Moms are an impressive lot. Whether juggling a dirty diaper in one hand and a latte in the other or helping to solve the world's energy crisis, mothers are uniquely qualified to make a mark on the world around them. Case in point: The Athabasca Oil Sands Project in Alberta, Canada.

These days, it’s virtually impossible to claim ignorance when it comes to our energy crisis. While all forms of energy are needed to meet worldwide demand , oil is a crucial component of a long-term solution. Alberta sits upon proven reserves of 170 billion barrels of oil and Shell is working to responsibly extract these reserves — with the help of some very talented and dedicated moms. These women bring unique skill sets to this male-dominated industry, proving that there is no frontier a mom can’t conquer.

Ginette Macisaac

Ginette Macisaac is the In-Situ Oil Sands Thermal Technology operations manager and mother of two. Over the past 17 years, her career has taken her to all corners of the world. She has lived and worked in the Netherlands, Singapore, Qatar, Australia and now calls Alberta, Canada home. Ginette focuses on developing new technologies to maximize production while minimizing the project’s footprint.

"The title working mom is a source of pride. My love of challenge and adventure has translated into a series of interesting jobs and experiences, including motherhood, in a number of countries. Being a mother is part of who I am and it has taught me skills, like patience, that aren't so easy to develop on the job. As for my career being in a male-dominated industry, I simply enjoy the type of work that I do." 

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Anita Spence

Anita Spence is the Quest Carbon Capture and Storage project manager, a mother of three and grandmother of two. Since 2010, she’s managed Shell’s $1 billion CCS project, overseeing construction, technical development and operations, including significantly reducing the CO2 impact of the Oil Sands Project.

"I think it is very important that your job is actually something you enjoy doing. Because of that, I have found that work has been a great stress reliever when my girls have been particularly challenging. The majority of times it is the other way — that the family is the stress relief for work. So many of the skills you need as a parent are the same as those that you need to succeed in the workplace especially communication and interpersonal skills. My volunteer hours in the elementary and junior high systems were the best diversity training an individual could ask for. To have been able to do both has been very fulfilling."

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Simone Marler

Simone Marler is the tour manager and communications manager at the Muskeg River Mine and the mother of two grown children. She is a nature lover to the core, an avid bird watcher and a proud member of the Athabasca Oil Sands Project. She enjoys educating everyone from students to government officials about the energy industry while hosting tours of the Muskeg River and Jackpine mines.

"The true source of my support is that my husband is the most amazing partner. We had our children later in life and, when our youngest was 3 years old, we decided he would downsize his business to stay home with our family. As a result, I never had a worry in the world about the homefront and was able to travel , [and could] work late or [not] stress out about deadlines, knowing our children were lovingly nurtured, healthily fed, the bills paid, school committees volunteered for, and our home beautifully renovated. He’s now retired and still looks after all the stuff that needs doing in daily life — he is my rock and we are a team like no other I know."

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Nicolette Stanley

Nicolette Stanley is an environmental coordinator and is expecting her first child. A hardcore environmentalist at heart, Nicolette is dedicated to sustainable development and reducing the Oil Sands Project’s environmental risk and impact. Combining her undergraduate degree in Environmental Geochemistry and graduate degree in Geomicrobiology with a passion for responsible environmental stewardship, Nicolette has turned her passion into a fulfilling career.

"I have had a lot of support being pregnant, especially since I work at a very remote industrial site. My family and friends have been very supportive; they understand why I do what I do and that I am here to help to the best of my abilities."

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Tanya Gray

Tanya Gray is the Safety and Emergency Response manager at the Scotford Upgrader and mom to a 3-year-old son. It’s her job to ensure safe working conditions for employees. A 14-year veteran of the oil and gas industry, Tanya is not only an ambassador for workplace safety but also for women interested in the energy field.

"In the Emergency Response space, we have a male dominated team that is open to my slightly different leadership approach; collaborative decision-making versus the typical command type structure. We embrace our differences and leverage them to build a stronger team. Our common bond is passion for family and the understanding that family always comes first. Having the support of my spouse and friends means I know my son has quality care and I am better able to focus on work without the influx of guilt that he is missing out on every opportunity."

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Jessica Willemsen

Jessica Willemsen is the Mine Shop manager at Shell’s Jackpine Mine and mother of two. With no previous knowledge of mechanics, she heads up a team of 89 mechanics, of which all but two are men. She oversees repairs on some of the biggest trucks in the world.

"I’m a big proponent of balance. That means different things to different women. For me, it means putting my family first, but also having a career which inspires and challenges me, while making sure I still have my own downtime to recharge. Whenever I start to feel stressed or worn out, I know something is out of balance and I need to re-evaluate my priorities. Right now, things feel pretty good. My boys are proud of me, running the truck shop. They think it’s pretty cool. Not so much because I’m a woman, but more because ‘Mom gets to fix the big trucks.’"


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