Engaged women helping Canada thrive
Many women wonder if their voice can make a difference.
We’re here to tell you it will.
Our core values
We love Canada
Family and community matter
We all benefit from a sustainable, thriving economy
Protecting the environment is essential
We are many, our shared values unite us
Meet our team
Each of us brings a unique perspective, but we’re united in our belief that economic growth is necessary for the kind of Canada we want.
Sue Riddell Rose
Founder & Board Chair
Sue is President and CEO of Perpetual Energy and Rubellite Energy, both junior oil and gas exploration and production companies listed on the TSX. A graduate of Queen’s University, she holds a BSc in Geological Engineering, and began her career with Shell Canada. From 1990 to 2002 Sue held various roles at Paramount Resources Ltd. culminating in the position of COO. With the establishment of the Paramount Energy Trust in 2002, she assumed the role of President and led the organization through its corporate conversion to Perpetual Energy in 2010 and the formation of Rubellite Energy in 2021. Sue has been a Director of Paramount Resources Ltd. since 2000 and is also a Director of Secure Energy and AltaLink, L.P.
Sue is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. She is currently a Governor of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and a member of the Business Council of Alberta. She’s involved with many organizations including UNICEF Canada and Fulbright Canada, is the past Chair of the United Way of Calgary and Area and Alberta’s Promise, and has served on the Board of Trustees of Queen’s University and Mount Royal University.
Tracey Bodnarchuk
Founder & CEO
Tracey is a business leader and C-suite executive with 20+ years of experience driving business and revenue objectives through marketing and sales. She has held a variety of senior roles with professional services firms such as Deloitte, KPMG, and Norton Rose Fulbright and in technology companies like SAP, J.D. Edwards and Microsoft. She led the revenue functions at Hopewell Residential and was the first-ever Brand Manager at Suncor Energy.
A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s (formerly Ryerson) Journalism school, she’s also completed the Executive Marketing Program at Queen’s University and the Not-For-Profit Governance Essentials Program with Institute of Corporate Directors via the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
In 2018, Tracey founded TAB Consulting Group which is a strategy practice specializing in all aspects of brand monetization and revenue generation. Tracey is an alumni of the Calgary Top 40 Under 40 and an active volunteer who is currently on the board of the Saddledome Foundation. She is one of the original founders of Canada Powered by Women.
Kristi Cawthorn, CPA, ICD.D
Founder & Board Member
Kristi is CEO of Startec Compression & Process, an integrated engineering and equipment fabricator with a passion for turning ideas into reality. She currently serves on their Board and also as a director on the Business Council of Alberta. Dedicated to self-improvement, Kristi is currently a member of The Executive Committee (TEC), and has completed both the Quantum Shift program (Ivey Business School at Western University), and the Institute of Corporate Directors program (Rotman’s School of Management, University of Toronto). She is a proud recipient of EY’s 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year in Manufacturing, and Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employer of the year in 2018 to 2022.
Always looking for new adventures, Kristi has a passion for exploring self-development through meditation, mind-body connection and sound, and enjoys spending time connecting with friends and her children through hiking, travel and trying new experiences.
Dr. Lucy Miller
Founder & Board Member
Dr. Miller retired as the President & CEO of United Way of Calgary and Area, a position she held from 2012 – 2016. Previously, she was Chief Superintendent of the Calgary Catholic School District. With a BA and BEd from St. Francis Xavier University and a MEd from Dalhousie University, she received a Doctorate of Education from the University of Toronto in 2006. She is currently an independent business woman and Director on the board of Tourmaline Oil.
Dr. Miller has developed expertise in the area of social responsibility, helping organizations have a positive impact in areas of social development, ethical, economic and environmental issues. She has served on a number of boards throughout her career, including St. Mary’s University, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, Advisory Council for the Haskayne School of Business, and the Calgary Poverty Reduction Initiative. In 2013, the Women’s Executive Network named her as one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women and Alberta Venture Magazine named her as one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People. Dr. Miller was named Calgary’s 2016 Citizen of the Year by the City of Calgary.
January McKee
Founder & Board Member
January is an accomplished executive driven by her core values of family and the triple bottom line – people, planet, and profit. With an undergraduate degree from the University of Alberta, she started her career in banking and transitioned into the energy sector, never looking back. In 2008, she became the General Manager of AMGAS, an Alberta-based oil and gas services company specializing in hydrogen sulphide (H2S) control. Under her leadership, AMGAS transformed into a global industry leader providing cutting edge equipment, specialized chemicals, and on-site service. She was appointed as its first female President in 2011, breaking glass ceilings and inspiring the next generation of female executives.
In 2014, January joined the board of the Petroleum Services in Canada (PSAC) and in 2021, she made history as the first female Chairman of the Association, solidifying her trailblazing status and ability to drive change. January advocates for the energy industry and female empowerment, emphasizing sustainable practices, individual well-being, and the environment.
Elan Harper
Founder & Board Member
With 20+ years of senior level experience in the areas of strategic planning, tax planning, dispute resolution, and marketing and communications, Elan is currently a Vice President at national consulting firm StrategyCorp Inc. Elan’s advice has led to positive outcomes for clients in many sectors including telecom, biotech, transportation, energy, and technology. She has spoken and written extensively on the topics of tax policy and corporate reorganizations, and has served as both an instructor and tutor for the Canada and Alberta Chartered Professional Accountant organizations.
In addition to her experience working for some of Canada’s top professional services firms, she is also a board member and the Audit Committee Chair for Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis. Additionally, she is Vice Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce Canada West, a group focused on furthering cross border business opportunities. Elan has a Master of Law (Tax) from Osgoode Hall Law School, and an MBA and BComm from the University of Calgary.
Nancy Hamel
Founder & Board Member
Nancy is a seasoned business strategist and entrepreneur who has dedicated over a decade to empowering women to launch their businesses and share their vision and voices. She is able to seamlessly integrate the many moving pieces of a business or campaign and make them work together in harmony.
Nancy’s passion for business began while earning a bilingual business degree at the University of Alberta, where she specialized in finance and economics. However, she soon realized that her true calling was to help women succeed. As a result, she has continued her education in psychology, focusing on the evolution of women and earning a transformational life coach designation. Nancy has helped numerous small businesses transition their operations online, providing them with the tools and strategies they need to thrive in the digital age. Her expertise in digital marketing, branding, and social media has made her an invaluable asset to her clients. Her ability to connect with her clients and understand their unique needs has earned her the reputation as a trusted advisor and mentor. She takes a holistic approach to business, recognizing that success is not just about profits but also about personal growth and fulfillment.
Blaire Lancaster
Founder & Board Member
Blaire currently leads the Commercial Development team at Tidewater Midstream & Infrastructure as Vice President. In addition to overseeing day-to-day commercial operations, she is responsible for driving growth in gas gathering and processing by contracting new infrastructure and adding long-term incremental volumes to existing infrastructure. Prior to Tidewater, Blaire spent 10 years at Ferus Natural Gas Fuels, developing the small-scale LNG industry in western and northern Canada. Her most recent role was Vice President, Business Development and External Affairs where she was responsible for business development, sales, marketing & communications, Indigenous partnerships, and Government Relations. She has also held positions at Rainmaker Global Business Development, Calgary Economic Development, and the Consulate General of Canada.
Passionate about her country and community, Blaire sits on the board of WinSport and is a member of the International Women’s Forum. Blaire and her husband have three children and when they aren’t at the hockey rink or ball diamond, they are skiing, golfing, and spending time at the lake.
Nuvyn Peters
Strategic Advisor
Nuvyn is a community leader and seasoned executive with a strong record of achievements in capital raising, philanthropy, communications, advocacy, and community engagement. She was Vice President (Advancement) at the University of Calgary where under her leadership, the ambitious Energize Campaign raised a milestone $1.41 billion and earned the university a place on the Globe and Mail’s list of the top 25 fundraising institutions in Canada.
Nuvyn first earned her reputation as Development Director of the Tahirih Justice Center where she advocated for the rights of vulnerable women and girls. Through subsequent leadership positions, including management of Georgetown University’s $1.5 billion campaign, she continues working with donors and organizations throughout North America.
In 2023, Nuvyn founded Peters and Associates, a consulting firm that supports and strengthens the capacity of nonprofit organizations. She also provides philanthropic advising to high-net-worth families across Canada. Nuvyn holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Saskatchewan, and an MA in Conflict Resolution from Landegg International University, Switzerland. She was named one of Canada’s top newsmakers by Macleans magazine, and is a recipient of Avenue magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” (2016) and Canada’s “Top 40 Under 40” (2018).