This past week, the Port of Belledune was honored to co-host an inspiring group of leaders for the Celebrating Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) event. It was a landmark day dedicated to the brilliant women who are not just participating in the energy transition, but leading it with vision and expertise.
A Message from Jennifer Cleversey-Moffitt – our Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel
“Watching the room fill with such immense talent and passion last Thursday was a powerful reminder of why we do this work. The brilliant women leading the renewable energy space aren’t just filling seats—they are architecting the future of our province. I am deeply grateful to have stood alongside these trailblazers as we chart a course toward a sustainable and inclusive industrial landscape for New Brunswick.”
A Message from WIRE Founder Joanna Osawe
“Bringing the WiRE/FER mission to the Port of Belledune has been a profound highlight for our organization. Seeing the intersection of industrial innovation and diverse leadership in New Brunswick proves that the energy transition is not just a technical shift, but a human one. When we empower women to lead in these spaces, we aren’t just hitting ESG targets, we are unlocking the full potential of our economy. I am incredibly proud of the synergy we’ve built here and look forward to seeing these connections spark long-term change across the province.”
A Day of Innovation and Insight
The day kicked off with a deep dive into our operations, including a guided tour of the Belledune Port Authority and a visit to NB Power to discuss the critical biomass transition, followed by a plant tour. Seeing the future of New Brunswick’s energy landscape through the lens of such dedicated professionals was truly remarkable.
The afternoon sessions brought powerful perspectives to the stage:
- We were privileged to hear opening remarks from Elder Connie Sewell of the Pabineau First Nation.
- We were deeply honored by the presence and remarks of The Honourable Louise Imbeault, O.C., O.N.B., Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick.
- A special video message was shared by Premier Susan Holt, adding to the day’s momentum.
- A special thank you to Minister René Legacy for his keynote, “Powering New Brunswick’s Future”.
Captivating the Crowd
The highlight of the afternoon was our panel discussion, “Shaping the Future of Energy: Women’s Influence in Policy, Workforce, Markets, and Leadership“. Moderated by the insightful Michelle Robichaud, President of the Atlantica Centre for Energy, the conversation was a perfect blend of heartfelt stories, professional wisdom, and genuine humor.
The panelists shared their journeys with a level of candor that completely captivated our crowd:
- Jeannetta Hill, Regional Director General at ACOA.
- Tanna M. Pirie-Wilson, Consultant with Han Martin Associates & Tana Pirie Associates.
- Traci Simmons, CEO of ONB.
- Monica Justason, President & CEO of NBBC.
Their collective insight proved that leadership is as much about human connection as it is about technical expertise.
Networking & Keynote
To cap off the day, we moved to a vibrant “5 à 7” networking reception at Distillerie New Brunswick Distillery. A huge thank you to local female entrepreneur Katherine Lanteigne and her partner for hosting us in such a fantastic space.
The evening was highlighted by an inspiring keynote from Lori Clark, President and CEO of NB Power, titled “Breaking Barriers, Powering Change: Women in New Brunswick’s Energy Sector”.
Celebrating Excellence
The energy in the room reached a high point as we recognized two phenomenal leaders. A massive congratulations to our award winners:
- Lori Clark, for her incredible leadership and her keynote on breaking barriers.
- Tanna Pirie-Wilson, for your outstanding contributions and well-deserved recognition during the day’s celebrations.
With Gratitude
Events of this scale succeed only through true partnership. A special shout out to WIRE Founder Joanna Osawe and WIRE Director of Operations Andrew Osawe for their incredible coordination and dedication to making this day a success.
We are incredibly grateful to all our esteemed speakers and dignitaries—Premier Susan Holt for sending along her remarks, Elder Connie Sewell , The Honourable Louise Imbeault , Minister René Legacy , Michelle Robichaud , Jeannetta Hill , Traci Simmons , Monica Justason , Lori Clark , and Tanna Pirie-Wilson —for sharing your time and brilliance with us.
We were also pleased to have Gilles LePage, MLA for Restigouche West, and Marco LeBlanc, MLA for Belle-Baie-Belledune, in attendance to support these critical industry conversations.
We want to thank the following industry leaders for taking the time to attend and contribute to the day’s dynamic energy:
- Penny Polchies, Workforce Warriors
- Kristie Halka-Glazier, Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn
- Choukri Berghout, Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC)
- Craig Wilcox, Robertson Electric
- Sarah Rosenblat – SWEB – WiRE Chapter Leader Nova Scotia
- Claire Harris – Clean Energy Connections
- Nicole Paquet – Strategic Organizational Change Consultant – President
Finally, a huge thank you to the Port of Belledune staff; your hard work behind the scenes ensured that Belledune remains at the heart of a supportive, innovative, and inclusive energy community.
Here’s to the women powering change in renewable energy! ⚓🌱