Gawiya Jenna Haymour

Logistics Coordinator - Asphalt & Rail Operations, Husky Energy

Gawiya Haymour is a true Calgarian, born, raised and determined to stay in her home town. Having graduated from the Haskayne School of Business with a B Comm. at just 21 she spent the majority of her career gaining experience in various departments from account management to service delivery at one of Canada’s largest railways and has even slept on a train touring the prairies!

After making the move from the transportation world to oil and gas, she is now the Logistics Coordinator of Asphalt and Rail Operations for Husky Energy managing light oil and asphalt by rail as well as asphalt via truck. In her spare time, when she isn’t hawking asphalt, she serves as her Condo Board President, is a hot yoga enthusiast, and a self titled amateur food critic. Known to many as Google, this vibrant young woman always has an answer to your question.

We asked Gawiya…

The OGM: What does sustainability mean to you?

Gawiya: Sustainability means being proactive and being committed. If we want to sustain the resources, sys and world we live in, we have to be proactive in our approach, and be committed to our methods and our future.

The OGM: Have you had a mentor?

Gawiya: An old friend and work colleague was kind enough to guide me through my most recent job change. The perspective and experience that someone else who has been in your shoes can provide is not only invaluable but reassuring.

The OGM: What does success mean to you?

Gawiya: Success to me means knowing that who I am and what I am doing is the best version of me. I don’t just measure success by title or assets, but by the path I took to get where I am, and the milestones I achieved along the way.

The OGM: If you were to describe your career in three words what would they be?

Gawiya: Fulfilling, Varied, Evolving.

The OGM: What advice would you give to someone looking for a career in the Energy Industry?

Gawiya: Think outside the box. There are many companies that participate in the oil and gas industry, and in functions that you may not think of at the start. Do your research, network, and find out what really interests you.

The OGM: Describe a milestone in your career?

Gawiya: Changing industries 6 years into my career.

The OGM: Describe a challenge you faced in your career?

Gawiya: Being a young female in both the transportation and energy industry often means having to prove yourself to others, a challenge I always welcome, and always succeed at.

The OGM: What impact does Technology have on your career?

Gawiya: Technology has erased the term “business hours” from my vocabulary. Thanks in part to online applications and my two Blackberries, business can be conducted anywhere, any time. I like being able to clean up my inbox on the train ride into work.

The OGM: What do the next 5 years look like in your career?

Gawiya: Furthering my education either by way of specialization in my field or a Masters degree. And taking over my boss’ job!

The OGM: Were you always interested in a career in Energy?

Gawiya: Being born and raised in Calgary I always knew I would find a place in the Energy industry. I chose to start my career off in a service industry so that I could better understand how things worked from an end to end perspective before tackling a role in the middle of the energy life cycle.

The OGM: What interests you to sustain a career in the Energy industry?

Gawiya: The opportunity to a part of a global economy that will see tremendous growth, change, and impact in our world.

The OGM: Do you have a role model you look up to?

Gawiya: My dad has always been an inspiration to me and my career. He is a true story of letting hard work be your resume and making your career your own.  He has taught me to believe in myself and that others will see it. To not ask someone to do a task you are unwilling to do your self.  And most importantly to be confident, even when I’m not!

The OGM: What does Energy mean to you?

Gawiya: Energy is life. Everything we do, touch, or think about uses some form of energy. I use it, need it, and expel it. Energy is intensity and passion.

The OGM: What is your favorite APP on your phone?

Gawiya: The OpenTable Mobile version. I love eating out as much as I love cooking. I get great satisfaction from being able to see the menu before I eat somewhere.

The OGM: What impact will the Millennial Generation have on the Energy industry?

Gawiya: Fresh faces and new minds mean new ideas, new ways of doing things, and a clean perspective. We don’t necessarily want to change how things are done, we just like to improve them and find a more technologically savvy way of doing business.

The OGM: What’s your take on Social Media and our ever changing digital world?

Gawiya: Everyone is a part of social media whether they are a driver or just a passenger. I don’t think we even realize how much Social Media impacts our lives. So much of what we hear, see and know came to us by some form of Social Media, even if it was through another channel before it finally reached you.

The OGM: What Social Medium do you use on a daily basis?

Gawiya: Blackberry messenger.

The OGM: Do you use Social Media for work?

Gawiya: Not for my current role. Maybe I will start an asphalt APP!

The OGM: What do you think of Social Recruiting?

Gawiya: I think Social Recruiting is just the new version of networking. Most industry events, coffee dates, or postings go through some form of social interaction in an effort to reach the right, or the most people.

The OGM: Why do you love what you do?

Gawiya: I’m a planner at heart. Logistics is a great way for me to be able to effect, improve, and streamline the way we do business. I think logistics is an integral part of any business and is a method to enable you to do business better.