Smart, Creative and Business Savvy: These Women are Leading the Way in Alberta

Jacqueline O’toole Husky Energy, Operations Engineer

Born in Edmonton, Jacqueline spent her early years in Alberta, then moved east to live in Nova Scotia. Jacqueline is a dynamic individual, blending a western go-getter spirit with east coast charm. She first became excited about the energy sector in Halifax, while working for Exxon Mobil as a Drilling and Completions engineering student. After graduating with an Electrical Engineering degree from Dalhousie University, she followed the oil and gas industry to Calgary, Alberta.

Over the past 11 years, Jacqueline has pursued diverse roles in technical and operational engineering, risk management, and project and construction management.She is currently an Operations Engineer with Husky Energy and has been involved with many successful initiatives within the company, managing operational and multidisciplinary teams. She spent over two years on Husky’s largest oil sands project and gained first-hand exposure by spending most of that time at site in the construction and project management group. Jacqueline has participated in Husky’s Emergent Leadership Program and, externally, the Women in Leadership Group and the Women’s Executive Mentorship Program. Jacqueline, as part of a team, has also won Husky CEO’s Award of Excellence for Process & Occupational Safety.

To complement her professional development, Jacqueline has completed a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering. She has shared research with her peers, co-authored papers, presented at international conferences, and conducted seminars through the Construction Owners Association of Alberta, Productivity Alberta, and the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering.

Jacqueline holds a remarkable list of achievements including receiving the 2014 Young Women in Energy Award. She held the position of Forum Chair of the Women in Leadership, North American Women in Energy Forum in 2014. In 2013, she completed the ‘Get on Board’ Governance Education Program from the Canadian Board Diversity Council and in 2012 she participated in the Women’s Executive Network Mentorship Program, mentored by Canada’s Top 100 Awards Winners.

Jacqueline raises awareness of female leaders in the Energy Sector, where she recently assumed the responsibility of Forum Chair for the 2014 Women in Leadership: North American Women in Energy Forum. With Jacqueline’s leadership, the inaugural Calgary forum saw 450 women attend and received requests to make it an annual event. In 2015, Jacqueline and her team will expand the event to include a career development stream, specifically to empower women in energy.

Looking to the future, Jacqueline is taking strategic steps to become an Asset Manager, with long-term aspirations of becoming a senior operational leader. She remains committed to making a positive impact on both the energy sector and her community and has the lively city of Calgary, her fantastic job, and an amazing group of friends to keep her challenged.

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