Young Professionals in Energy – LGBTQ2S+ Panel

Posted on: May 26, 2021 Posted by: tertzak Comments: 0

Young Professionals in Energy – LGBTQ2S+ Panel

Young Professionals in Energy presents an LGBTQ2S+ panel discussion on inclusion & diversity in the energy industry, hosted by Gregory John.

About the Event

This Pride month, YPE is proud to present its first ever inclusion and diversity-focused event. Join us for a 90 minute lunchtime discussion hosted by Gregory John (President – Four Peaks Business Development), featuring Mitchel Bowers (Procurement Coordinator – Suncor), Brent Buechler (Volunteer – YPE) and Terri Eklund (Board Member – Pride at Work Canada), discussing inclusion, diversity and equity in the energy industry, followed by an open Q&A session! Tickets will be by donation, in support of Skipping Stone, a local non-profit (more information provided below)

► Details

  • Date/Time: June 10, 2021, 12-1:30pm MST
  • Location: Zoom Meeting
  • ID: Link will be distributed 2 hours prior to event start time via email
  • Tickets: Free o by Donation, Registration is Required

About the Speakers

Gregory John (he/him)is a proud citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta and a member of the Gender and Sexually Diverse (GSD) community, with a mutual understanding of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous worlds. His experience and expertise lie in Indigenous relations, strategy, negotiations, communications, and public relations.

Gregory’s career has been at the helm of both a consulting firm, Four Peaks Business Development Ltd and tech start-up, Unimaize Technologies Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from the University of Calgary, where is currently finishing his Executive MBA, and is one of the UofC’s youngest elected Senators, a member of the Calgary Police Chief’s Indigenous Advisory Board, and a member of the 2020/2021 Global Petroleum Show Executive Steering Committee.

Gregory has had the opportunity to bring his Indigenous energy perspective across Canada, and recently travelled to Japan in November of 2019 to discuss the importance of Indigenous participation in energy with some of Japan’s most senior government and business leaders.

Mitchel Bowers (he/they) is a Métis two-spirited activist and drag queen. They have won multiple awards in and out of drag including Fort McMurray’s Top 50 Under 50, Pride YMM Leadership Awards, Wood Buffalo Excellence in Arts Awards and more. They are the president of Pride YMM, the vice-chair of the Regional Advisory Committee on Inclusion, Diversity and Equality and a board member for the Arts Council Wood Buffalo. Through these positions they volunteer and advocate to celebrate diversity and create more inclusive spaces within Fort McMurray.

Terri Eklund (she/her) is an educator and lifelong learner currently working in higher education. As an educational developer, she brings her 10 years of teaching experience to support faculty in their practice. Terri was a founding member of the Pride at SAIT Committee and continues to serve as the Education and Training Coordinator, where her focus is how faculty can cultivate inclusive classrooms. In 2019, Terri joined the Board of Directors for Pride at Work Canada to further her advocacy for LGBTQ2S+ employees. Terri credits her work during her master’s degree as what catapulted her down a path where inclusion is a guiding value in life and work.

Brent Buechler (he/him) is a volunteer with the Calgary Chapter of Young Professionals in Energy, and a Quality Advisor with Enbridge. Brent has over seven years of experience providing environment and regulatory compliance support in the energy industry, spanning from project to operation phases. Brent uses a collaborative, thoughtful, and approachable leadership style to build relationships and successfully execute projects and initiatives. While at Suncor Energy, Brent launched and co-led Prism, Suncor’s LGBTQ2S+ employee inclusion network, and supported inclusion and diversity activities to help make the workplace safe and respectful for all. As a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community working in the energy industry, Brent recognizes there is still work to be done, and knows we all have a part to play to make people feel welcomed and have a sense of belonging.

► About the Charity: The Skipping Stone Foundation

Skipping Stone connects trans and gender diverse youth, adults and families with low-barrier access to the supports and services that they need and deserve. Their innovative, one-of-a-kind, comprehensive care model leads the way in providing affirming and inclusive support. In 2021 alone, they have already changed the lives of over 1500 families.

► ZOOM Sponsoring Partner for 2021

YPE Thanks Tervita for their generosity is sponsoring the ZOOM platform for YPE events 2021.