Have you ever wondered what it’s like for women who’ve chosen a career in a non-traditional or male-dominated field? Ever wondered if a job like that would be right for you, or how to get started on that path?
We are very pleased to announce our collaboration with AltaSteel to bring you an exciting feature at this year’s Fall Edmonton Woman’s Show- the AltaSteel Women in Non-Traditional Careers Panel.
At this panel, you’ll get to know some amazing local women who have forged a path for themselves in non-traditional careers. You’ll get a chance to learn what motivates them, how they deal with challenges, their advice for women who are looking to get into a male-dominated field, and any other questions you might have!
Panel members include…
Fiona Hocking
Fiona is currently the General Manager of Maple Leaf Metals which is a metal Recycling business headquartered in Edmonton. Leadership in the Recycling industry was not part of the career plan when graduating with a Bachelor of Business (major Human Resources) in 1998. Fiona commenced her career in Human Resources and Labor Relations in Australia which set the foundation for leading and developing the people and change agenda in diverse workforces and cultures. In 2006 Fiona joined Arrium (owner of Maple Leaf Metals) in Human Resources and worked across the business in a range of roles and locations and in 2013 Fiona took the opportunity to move from HR and complete Divestment activities for the business. Now leading Maple Leaf Metals, Fiona is able to utilize the experience in her career to manage and develop the Maple Leaf team and continue to achieve positive business outcomes.
Jill Drader
Jill Drader is a Calgary based entrepreneur, business strategist and consultant. Her company, Steel Toe Stiletto Ltd, also houses the projects Women in Work Boots, Business in Work Boots, and the Connect-Her Network. She was named a Class of 2014 Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine and she is the Alberta ambassador for SheEO and Tech Girls Canada, organizations in Toronto advocating for more women in tech and entrepreneurship. Jill’s free time is spent between Alberta and BC where she can be found refereeing her two young sons ages three and five, and hanging out with her hockey enthusiast husband Tyler.
Angela Smith
Angela is part of the Women Building Futures team, an inspiring group of people that empowers women to succeed in non-traditional careers. Angela Smith, Director Partnerships & Funding, joined Women Building Futures (WBF) in 2013 with a background in marketing, communications, business development, strategic planning, and project management.
She oversees WBF’s key partnerships and fund development initiatives and plays a key role on the Leadership Team in shaping, communicating and implementing Women Building Futures’ vision, values and strategy.
Renee Mulrooney
Renee Mulrooney, one of only a few female general contractors in Edmonton and the owner of Tomboy Construction, is a trusted leader in renovation design and construction. Renee is known for her keen attention to detail and her fresh, yet timeless design approach when creating spaces that will function beautifully and look fabulous for years to come. Admired for her quick wit, ingenuity and gumption, Renee tackles renovation challenges with an easygoingness that calms and reassures the most nervous of homeowners.
Boni Ehmann
Boni Ehmann was born in Ontario. Moving to Alberta in 1993, she found herself without 
work and without a career. She was enrolled with a work experience company through Employment Insurance, which included two months of learning about vehicles and their systems, followed by a placement at Crowfoot Dodge. When the work experience was over, she continued on as a parts driver, later moving into shipping/receiving and then beginning her apprenticeship as a Parts person. She worked with several different automotive companies through the years. She is now working with NAIT as an Instructor in the Parts Technician Program where she has been for the last six years.
Robyne Garton
Robyne practiced in the property management field for 20 years, with an additional 13 years of experience in the medical field. A single parent of three, she worked hard to make ends meet. She started thinking of effective ways to utilize her experience in order to expand her horizons in business. She consulted with various past contractors and engineers before putting her ideas into practice and creating her new company: Roof Surgeons, which joined the St. Albert business market in 2010, specializing in condominium corporations. After meeting the market’s needs and meeting females in the business who wanted a chance at roofing, she pondered the idea of an all-female roofing crew. In 2012, Pink Belts Roofing was established and proved to be a magnificent success! With 62 houses under its belt in its first year – booked for 157 houses in 2014 – Robyne needed more woman power. She had to pull males from her other company to keep up with the high demand. “You have to ‘dare to be different’ in this industry and more and more females are becoming interested in this industry. I am always thankful for the males who I contracted with over the years who believed in me!” says Robyne.
Margaret-Ann Armour
Born in Scotland and educated at Edinburgh University (BSc, MSc), and the University of Alberta (PhD), Margaret-Ann Armour joined the Chemistry Department at the University of Alberta in 1979, and from 1989 to 2005, was Assistant Chair of the Department. Since 2005, she has been Associate Dean of Science, Diversity. Her research and teaching has been in the field of Environmental Chemistry. Outside her professional career, Dr. Armour has been
highly engaged in encouraging young women to consider careers in the sciences and engineering. She is a founding member and past Chair of Women In Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology (WISEST) at the University of Alberta. She is currently Chair of the Board of the Canadian Centre for Women in Science, Engineering, Trades and Technology, the WinSETT Centre.
Amanda Reib
Amanda is the Director, Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment at AltaSteel. AltaSteel is a scrap based mini mill that recycles scrap metal and uses a heavy industrial process to produce a variety of finished bar products. After completing a Bachelor of Management with a major in Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations, Amanda accepted an entry level payroll position at AltaSteel in 2005. Over the years, Amanda has grown within the organization and has had the opportunity to gain skills in all aspects of the AltaSteel business. Now, Amanda is currently the only woman on the AltaSteel Lead Team and is excited about using her experiences to encourage a workplace of diversity.
One lucky audience member at each presentation will be the winner of a $50.00 Visa Gift Card! Valuable knowledge AND a lovely prize – you won’t want to miss this!
To see the Stage Schedule, click here.
