Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) presented its inaugural Agent of Change Award to Joanna Osawe on November 13, 2019. EHRC representative Alex Hosselet commended Ms. Osawe for her contributions to equity and diversity in the workplace and said, “Joanna works tirelessly to support women in electricity, and this award is a modest way of recognizing the tremendous energy she invests.” Joanna Osawe is President and CEO of WiRE – Women in Renewable Energy – and has held a number of positions in the power industry in Canada and in the USA.
The purpose of the Agent of Change Award is to “recognize leaders who exemplify positive change and set excellent examples for the rest of us to follow.”
EHRC describes itself as “Canada’s most trusted source of objective human resource information with market information and tools to help the Canadian electricity industry. It provides a platform for industry needs, identifying ways to make Canadian businesses 'best in class'” and notes that “EHRC works to strengthen the ability of the Canadian electricity industry to meet current and future needs for their workforce.” Agents of Change is an event organized by EHRC that encourages leaders in the power sector to improve diversity and inclusion efforts.
Ms. Osawe is well known to APPrO members for her sector-leading work in spearheading the Woman of the Year award, Speed Mentoring, and other events as part of the annual Canadian Power Conference. In fact she presented the Woman of the Year Award to Marion Hill – Sr. VP, Renewables Advisory North America from DNV GL as part of the Canadian Power Banquet on November 21. (See photo elsewhere in this issue of IPPSO FACTO.)
Mr. Hosselet added that “After the award was presented, we received an outpouring of feedback for the following week agreeing that Joanna is invaluable to the sector. She was definitely the most deserving recipient.” For more information on EHRC and the Agent of Change award readers may visit https://electricityhr.ca/.