ISSUE 13

June 2021 [Link] ISSN 2642-2689

Inspire, Encourage and Advocate: The Women Behind WPS

When Women Lead: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Leaders
Secrets of Success: Bridging the Gaps, Building the Teams
2 TABLE OF
CONTENTS

Index Contents

Table of
Table of Contents_02
Editor’s Letter_06
Editors & Impressum_08
When Women Lead: Inspiring
the Next Generation of Women
Leaders – Interview with Khayakazi
Dioka, Chair of CIGRE Women in
Engineering International_10
Inspire, Encourage and Advocate:
The Women Behind WPS –
Interview with WPS Steering

10
Committee: Rachel Linke, Marina
Cizmesija & Petra Curlin_18
Secrets of Success: Bridging When Women Lead:
the Gaps, Building the Teams –
Inspiring the Next
Generation of Women
Interview with Javiera
Leaders
F. McGuiggan, Assistant VP Interview with Khayakazi Dioka, Chair of
CIGRE Women in Engineering International
and Global Business Leader for
Dielectric Solutions at Cargill
BioIndustrial_26
When Women Lead: Building a
Meaningful Career in the Power
Systems Industry – Interview with 18
Agnès Théodule, President & CEO Inspire,
of Europe, Russia, Central Asia and Encourage and
Israel at GE Grid Solutions_34 Advocate:
Women of Note: Laura L. Vandiver_41
The Women
Behind WPS
Women of Note: Stina Flogell
Interview with WPS Steering
Östlundh_42 Committee: Rachel Linke,
Marina Cizmesija and Petra
Women of Note: Katie Kossow_43 Curlin
Transformer Technology June 2021 3

Issue 13

34
When Women Lead:
Building a Meaningful
Career in the Power
Systems Industry
Interview with Agnès Théodule, President

26 & CEO of Europe, Russia, Central Asia and

Israel at GE Grid Solutions

Secrets of Success:
Bridging the Gaps, 41
Building the Teams Women
Interview with Javiera F. McGuiggan, of Note:
Assistant VP and Global Business Leader for Laura
Dielectric Solutions at Cargill BioIndustrial L. Vandiver

42
Women
of Note:
Stina Flogell
Östlundh

43
Women
of Note:
Katie
Kossow
4 TABLE OF
CONTENTS

Index Contents

Table of
Passion for the Profession:

Interview with Maria Lamorey,

PPG Commercial Manager for

General Finishes_44

Collaborative Talents: Foundations

for the Future of Power Industry –

Interview with Mary Reidy, Principal 44

Program Manager at National
Passion for the
Grid US_54 Profession
Passion for the Profession: Interview with Maria Lamorey, PPG
Commercial Manager for General Finishes
Interview with Traci N. Hopkins,

Senior Training Advisor and Adjunct

Instructor at SDMyers_62
54
Coming in Summer_70
Collaborative
Talents:
Foundations for
the Future of
Power Industry
Interview with Mary Reidy,
Principal Program Manager
at National Grid US

62
Passion for the
Profession
Interview with Traci N. Hopkins,
Senior Training Advisor and
Adjunct Instructor at SDMyers
Transformer Technology June 2021 5

Issue 13

WPS
CHARTER
SPONSORS

COMMITTED TO
SUPPORTING
DIVERSITY, EQUITY
AND INCLUSION
6 LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR

Dear Readers,

When the women involved with Transformer

Technology and APC Media first mentioned the Be part of
idea of making the June issue of Transformer those who
Technology a digital issue on Women in Power
Systems, my first reaction was, wow, how do we
Inspire.
do that when we are a community based on the Empower.
technical aspects of transformers? TT is not the Advocate.
normal venue for a topic like this.

But as we discussed it and as the idea began to Professional women in power systems can be en-
crystalize, we realized that one issue would not gineers, marketers, managers, human resources
do the idea justice and so we are using this issue or procurement professionals: all leaders in their
of Transformer Technology to launch a new com- own right.
munity – Women in Power Systems (WPS) – which
will have its own digital issues and its own web- The WPS community will be a source of stories
based hub: told by women to women that will inspire woman’s
self-awareness in all of her roles, and empower
[Link] them to connect, collaborate, thrive and express
freely their complete self, a whole woman, in all
Now more than ever, women are making a tremen- segments of life, making them even more valuable
dous difference in the companies they work for, contributors to their workplaces, and local and
the countries and communities they live in and global communities.
the families they help thrive. WPS is a community
of women who work in all Power Systems roles; The community will promote and encourage di-
a place where the next generation of professional versity and cooperation – the synergy – among all
women of any professional education, not just en- individuals as well, raising awareness of the con-
gineering or science, have a network they can con- tribution that each individual, a man or a woman,
nect with and be supported through by sharing, makes in inspiring the groups, teams and commu-
growing, strengthening and promoting women’s nities they are part of to constantly grow and devel-
values in the workplace and society. op, thus contributing to a broader societal benefit.

Women in
Power Systems
(WPS)

A community
of women who
Inspire, Empower
& Advocate.
Transformer Technology June 2021 7

Issue 13

We invite you to join us in this mission, by taking

part in one of the following ways:

• While WPS is not a technical community, we

will publish articles and interviews by women
or about women who are making a difference
in the industry.

Alan M Ross
• Professional women in the industry holding
leadership positions in their companies will be
profiled through inspirational stories that focus
on their path and role in the industry.
• We also want to highlight the values of those
companies that support inclusion and diversity,
not just for women, but for a broader societal
benefit.
• We invite women who like to write to become
WPS bloggers.
• Women who feel moved to inspire and con-
nect other women can contact us if they wish
to have a more distinguished leadership role in
our community.

Unlike the Transformer Technology community,

which is supported by commercial promotion, WPS
is a sponsor-supported community. We would like
to invite all socially responsible companies who
would like to make their mark in society and sup-
port this important project to contact us and learn
more about ways to become WPS Distinguished
Sponsors.
Curator of the Community
Transformer Technology
Alan M Ross
Editor in Chief

President of EPRA
CRL, CMRP
8 EDITORS &
IMPRESSUM

Impressum Editors

Editor in Chief Editor in Chief

Alan M. Ross, CRL, CMRP Alan M. Ross CRL, CMRP
Transformer maintenance
Associate Editor in Chief and reliability
Corné Dames 26 years industry
Independent transformer consultant experience

Contributing Editors
Diego Robalino, PhD, PMP
IEEE Senior Member Associate Editor in Chief
Jon Trout, PE and Chair of the Technical
Electric utility Advisory Board
Alan Sbravati, ME, MBA Corné Dames
Transformer insulating materials Independent transformer
Marco Tozzi, PhD consultant
Diagnostics and asset monitoring Transformer oils
Curtus Duff 20+ years industry
Power transformer design experience

Chair of the Technical Advisory Board

Corné Dames
Independent transformer consultant
Contributing Editor
Diego Robalino PhD, PMP
Technical Advisory Board Member
Edward Casserly, PhD
IEEE Senior Member
Senior Scientist, Transformer oils Transformer condition
Maria Lamorey assessment and
Industrial OEM manufacturing diagnostics
20+ years industry
Graphic design experience
Bekoncept Communication Boutique

Photo Cover
Shutterstock

Sales & Marketing Technical Advisory

Kevan Sears Board Member
[Link]@[Link] Edward Casserly, PhD
Senior Scientist,
Sales & Marketing Americas Transformer oils
Maria Salamanca 35 years industry
[Link]@[Link] experience

Sales & Marketing Mexico

Fernando Campos
[Link]@[Link]

Sales & Marketing Brazil Technical Advisory

Marcelo Braga Board Member
[Link]@[Link] Maria Lamorey
Industrial OEM
Marketing Global manufacturing
Marin Dugandzic 35 years industry
[Link]@[Link] experience
Transformer Technology June 2021 9

Issue 13

ISSN 2642-2689 (Print)

ISSN 2642-2697 (Online)
Contributing Editor
DIGITAL Membership Jon Trout PE
Free Electric utility
14 years of experience
Transformer Technology magazine is a quarterly
magazine published by APC MEDIA LLC, 11210
West Rd, Roswell, GA 30075, USA. Published
content does not represent official position of APC
MEDIA LLC. Responsibility for the content rests
upon the authors of the articles and advertisers,
and not on APC MEDIA LLC. APC MEDIA LLC Contributing Editor
maintains the right to keep the textual and Alan Sbravati ME, MBA
graphical documents submitted for publication. Transformer insulating
materials
Copyright and reprint permission 18 years of experience
Abstracting is permitted with credit to the source.
Libraries are permitted to photocopy isolated
pages for private use of their patrons.
For other copying, reprint or republication
permission requests should be addressed to
info@[Link]

Publisher: Contributing Editor

APC MEDIA LLC Marco Tozzi ME, MBA
1317 Winding River Trail Diagnostics and asset
Woodstock GA 30075, USA monitoring
15+ years of experience
[Link]

Contributing Editor
Curtus Duff
Power transformer design
4 years of experience
 10

Chair of CIGRE Women in

Interview with Khayakazi Dioka Engineering International
LEAD
WHEN
WOMEN

Khayakazi

Photo: Khayakazi Dioka

Transformer Technology June 2021 11

Issue 13

Dioka

At the leadership

Inspiring the Next Generation

level, support is very
important, especially
from the people
who are already in

of Women Leaders
leadership positions.
And the majority of
people occupying
such positions at this
point in time are still
men. We need men
to support women
at these levels.
12 WHEN
WOMEN
LEAD

It is a daily struggle for a woman

engineer - even at my level - that people
would just go behind you or above you to
get an opinion out of someone with
a deeper voice.

Photo: Khayakazi Dioka

Transformer Technology June 2021 13

Issue 13

Khayakazi Dioka is a visionary, a mentor and a leader. She is married,

mother of two daughters and has 17 years of experience at Eskom Holdings
SOC, where she now works as Corporate Specialist for Transformers and
Reactors. Since January 2019, she is also the international chairperson
for CIGRE Women in Engineering (WiE). In an interview with our Editor
in Chief, Khaya talked about her involvement in CIGRE, her various roles
and the importance of encouraging women and young engineers to
actively participate in building the future of the transformer industry.

Alan Ross: I have the pleasure of speaking with

Khayakazi Dioka, who is responsible for more
transformers in South Africa than anyone
I know in North America. Alongside her role
of Corporate Specialist for Transformers and
Reactors at Eskom Holdings, Khayakazi is also
actively involved with CIGRE and IEEE.
How long have you been involved with CIGRE?
Tell me a little bit about your background
with them.

Khayakazi Dioka: Thank you very much, Alan.

I am actively involved in CIGRE, which is an
engineering body. I learned about CIGRE when
I was still an engineer in training, which was
over 15 years ago. At the time, I was a protection
settings engineer and I really wanted to be a
specialist. I think I had good mentors and that
is one of the reasons why I managed to achieve
that. I attended some of CIGRE events and
I even went to Europe for the Study Committee
B5 Colloquium – this is the Study Committee for
Power Systems and Protection. Over the years
I got to know more about CIGRE, and when
I joined the power transformers department
here at Eskom, I then fell more on the
transformers Study Committee.

While I was the transformer engineer, I was

invited to be a guest speaker at the Women in
Engineering (WiE) Forum at the CIGRE Paris
session in 2016. One of my colleagues, who was
the representative at the Study Committee for
transformers, invited me to come with to the
meeting. I think one of the rules was that, if you
are not a member, you are not supposed to talk
(or at least that’s what I heard). And I thought
about discussing a lot of things that I do,
because everything that they were talking
about was my work. But I just kept it together at
the time.

Later on at the same seating, I presented at the

WiE Forum. Interestingly, when I had come back
to South Africa, the chairperson of the Study
Committee A2 for power transformers sent me
an email with my CV, which he had received
14 WHEN
WOMEN
LEAD

from the then chairperson of the International people he was looking for to be part of this
CIGRE WiE. He said that my scope is quite study committee.
interesting and involves everything that they
do within the A2 Committee. He invited me to I think the rest is history. I became the
come and talk about women in engineering at committee member and also a liaison person
the next colloquium. to assist the Study Committee in increasing
the women membership. I am currently in the
The colloquium was held in Poland, and Strategic Committee and there are two of us
the Study Committee representatives from ladies who are conveners of the advisory groups,
different countries were going to be there. out of their six or seven gentlemen. That is
That is how my second invitation to a CIGRE progress already, because this is probably the
session came about. I was going to talk about first time they have that within the A2 Study
how A2 can encourage more women engineers Committee for power transformers.
to participate. And obviously there were only
one or two other women in the room, and there
were almost 100 people in there. AR One of the things that we would love
for you to be part of is our Women in
Power Systems. You mentioned your daughters;
I did my talk, but because this was a colloquium involving more girls in science, technology,
where papers were being presented, I could also engineering and math (STEM) is a global
raise my hand. I was asking a lot of relevant phenomenon. You also mentioned women
questions based on my experience, to try and in the boardroom, that you have to grow in
find answers. Since I look after transformers, your career to be there and be able to make
I wanted to know how a solution that is being boardroom decisions, since leaders are needed
presented is going to assist me to better manage at the board level. And that is one of the things
the transformers here at home. From that, that Women in Power Systems wants to be a
the chairperson saw me, I think, as one of the bridge to.

In the boardroom,
there is no equality
at present.
 Transformer Technology June 2021 15

Issue 13

The second time I was invited to a CIGRE session, I was going to talk
about how the A2 Study Committee for transformers can encourage
more women engineers to participate. And yes, there were maybe
about two women in the room with almost 100 people.

Women are conveners and they tend to come

together better than men do. Men typically
have their isolated agenda of going out and
conquering the world. Part of what we try to
do at CIGRE and IEEE is raise awareness of the
importance of doing something together.
That is why we have committees.

As you talk about your role, which is now

going to be a growing role with more women
in engineering and in power systems, what is it
that you can say to people like me? Not to the
women, but to us who are the last generation
and are passing on a legacy. I am going to be
retiring soon, and I want to be able to pass on
a positive legacy. What can you say to me and
others like me as we end our careers? What do
we need to do differently to support what you
have been doing?

KD I think I can summarize it by saying

that you need to see us. What does
that mean? In a boardroom, as a woman, you are
there to contribute. You don't want somebody
to interpret what you are trying to say based
on prejudice. And we need sponsors. We need
a lot of support. In the boardroom, there is no
equality at present. Even if I were to come up
AR You just hit me right between the
eyes. We need to see women in those
positions not as women who are engineers,
with an idea, people will believe that what I am but as engineers who are women. Because if
bringing on board is an emotional idea. When we see you as engineers, we see you as experts
a John brings the same idea, but rephrases it, who have great knowledge and expertise, who
people say Well, actually, that is a good idea, but happen to be women. We see you as that next
Khaya did say exactly the same thing. It is a daily generation that can bring vitality and ideas.
struggle for a woman engineer - even at my level
- that people would just go behind you or above I don't think women politicize as much as
you to get an opinion out of someone with a men do. We tend to have a political hierarchy
deeper voice. And that is the sad reality. because we are always competing for space.
You could be the specialist in that field and Women tend to bring out the best in a lot of
probably more knowledgeable in the room, people. I think that is why a person like
but who says it still matters. Support is very Susan McNelly was good at running the
important. It is critical, especially from the people IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) transformer
who are already in those positions. And the committee, with 200 members. The situation in
majority of people occupying such leadership CIGRE must be challenging, given the scope of
positions at this point in time are still men. We the organization. Tell us a bit about your role in
need men to support women at those levels. connecting CIGRE and South Africa.

At CIGRE conferences, you will notice that the participants are mainly
men – and it is not just men, it is elderly men. There is a missing
Photo: Khayakazi Dioka

generation. We are trying to close that gap, and for that aim we have
two forums: the Women in Engineering, and the Young Engineers
Forum, which is the Next Generation Network.
16 WHEN
WOMEN
LEAD

KD As you know, CIGRE works through

national committees. I am part of the
South African National Committee. And one of
there, and they can do this. There are a lot of
stereotypes and barriers that we have to
overcome. What we try to do in our forums is
the biggest mandates of CIGRE is to increase the empower each other, encourage each other, and
active participation of both women engineers mentor each other. You need to be confident
and young engineers in South Africa. I am enough to occupy that space. When you are
responsible for those two. I have now given over chairing a session, for example, you need to
the young engineers to the younger engineers be confident enough, because it is your space,
to lead, but I am still driving it from the executive and you need to understand that you are there
board point of view. because you deserve it. We want you to flourish
in that space. That is what we strive for in our
I am sure that you have noticed, when looking forums.
at pictures of CIGRE conferences, that the
participants are mainly men – and it is not I have young engineers who are trying to write
just men, it is elderly men. There is a missing papers on transformers. After I work with them
generation. That is our biggest concern. When
the older generation leaves, who is going to drive
this mandate of putting all of the engineering
work together? Who is going to put together
guidelines and make the standards as active
as at that time when they want to implement
them? We are trying to close that gap, and hence
the two forums: the Women in Engineering, and
the Young Engineers Forum, which is the Next
Generation Network.

In our forums, we try to

empower, encourage and
mentor each other. When you
are chairing a session, you
need to be confident enough
to occupy that space, and
you need to understand that
you are there because you
deserve it.

We are trying to make sure that we get all the

young engineers active. That is what I have been
leading in the Southern African space, as well as
getting more women engineers actively involved,
actively participating in CIGRE activities. If we
are organizing a conference, we need those
engineers to stand up and participate, write
papers, chair sessions. You would be surprised by
how many people are in the transformer space
(as an example), but every time you look for a
chairperson, the same male names come up,
even though there is maybe a brilliant lady in
research that is doing the work on transformers
Photo: Khayakazi Dioka

and understands that subject.

I think what we are trying to do is to say, but

Khaya is there, but Jane is there, but Mary is
Transformer Technology June 2021 17

Issue 13

on a paper, I don't even have to be involved with they feel that their knowledge is respected.
the next one, I can just do that final review. We need to find the people who want to speak
That is mentorship, that is passing the baton to out, and some of them are afraid. They want to
the next engineer and trying to build them. make sure that they are accepted.
And that is something that we have missed
for years. The girl child especially has been The next generation of women is of critical
overlooked for a very long time. importance for our society as a whole. If we get
more young women involved in STEM, society

AR Speaking in the name of elderly men,

we have a responsibility to do what
Khaya just said. It cannot be left up to that
will be better for it.

Khaya, you are brilliant. Thank you so much for

next generation, because Khaya is the next sharing your passion with us.
generation of leaders. If she is challenging us,
what we have to do is make an environment
where women feel invited and welcome and KD Thank you so much for having me.
I appreciate it.
 18

WPS (Women in Power Systems)

Interview with Rachel Linke, Marina Steering Committee
Cizmesija & Petra Curlin

Inspire, Encourage and Advocate:

The Women Behind WPS
FEATURE
INTERVIEW

Petra
Curlin
 Transformer Technology June 2021 19

Issue 13

Rachel Marina
Linke Cizmesija
Photo: WPS
20 FEATURE
INTERVIEW

Women in Power Systems (WPS) is a community created by women for

everyone in the power industry. The creative minds behind the initiative
are three members of the WPS Steering Committee: the Chair, Rachel
Linke, Member Services Manager for the Electric Power Reliability
Alliance (EPRA), Associate Editor for APC Media and Secretary for IEEE
PES SmartGrid Marketing Working Group; Marina Cizmesija, WPS Editor
in Chief, and Petra Curlin, WPS Communications and Projects Manager.

Alan Ross: I am delighted to announce that we background, both as an engineer in a post-

are launching a new community – Women in apartheid country, and as a next generation
Power Systems. The idea was wrought by three leader. She has two daughters. We talked about
women that I am honored to introduce. Rachel science, technology, engineering and math
Linke, the organizer and advocate, Marina (STEM). And it hit me at that point – it would
Cizmesija, the heart and power behind the be amazing to have a community for women
scenes, and Petra Curlin, the next generation within power systems. Right about that time
thinker. Petra, you always come up with new these three inspiring women had come up with
ideas. Where did the Women in Power Systems this idea. The beautiful synergy happened.
idea come from? Marina, what happened from your perspective?

Petra Curlin: As we were working on new

digital content for Transformer Technology,
a moment of beautiful synergy happened,
as Marina would put it. It turned out we had
We want to make
both had the same idea for some time, which sure that women
is to have a Transformer Technology magazine
issue dedicated especially to women working know that they are
in the power industry and, of course, in the valued. These are
transformers segment. That idea somehow
bloomed into a much larger project as we our three main goals
realized that one issue is not enough. Because
we live in a world where diversity and
as we go forward –
inclusiveness are becoming an increasingly we want to inspire,
important topic, we felt what we needed is a
space for women to be who they are, a space encourage and
where they can balance their professional advocate for women
career and their personal life.
in power systems.
We also realized that, while such organizations
already exist, they mostly focus on women
engineers, such as IEEE and CIGRE’s Women
in Engineering (WiE), as well as Women’s Marina Cizmesija: For me it came from a much
Engineering Society (WES) which organizes wider perspective, and that is that today,
the International Women in Engineering Day globally, we need this synergy. Not just between
(INWED) on June 23rd. Being non-engineers men and women, but the synergy between
ourselves, we figured that there are other each and every individual. I think that enough
professions within the power industry and we has been said about equality, not enough
would like to include all of them. I think that done though, but we also need to stress the
was somehow the starting point of it all. To need for cooperation and support between
honor INWED, we chose June 23rd as the launch each individual person. We are all here to
date for the inaugural WPS edition. contribute and each one of us has something
to offer and something to give. We are all part

AR It is amazing that you mention

synergy. For me, Women in Power
Systems started with the second of two
of a bigger picture, and our individual growth
and success is reflected in the growth and
success of the team or a community we make
interviews with Khayakazi Dioka from Eskom part of. We all have some talents and many of
in South Africa. We were all inspired by Khaya’s us don't necessarily believe in ourselves. Or
 Transformer Technology June 2021 21

Issue 13

maybe in the workplace we are more picked advocate for the younger generation to start
upon for what we haven't done properly. But looking at power systems as a potential career
what if we focused on those little things that path.
shine in people and we supported them in
that perspective? Then they would shine even I have been in the industry for about 11 years,
more, they would build self-confidence and and when I first started, I did not hear of very
grow more passionate about themselves, about many women at all. As I have been in this
what they do, about their part in the team. They career, I have started to see more and more
might even outgrow themselves in ways they women merge into the power industry. And it
couldn’t even imagine. Their contribution in the is exciting. But there are just not as many as we
workplace would then become invaluable, and would hope. I think part of Women in Power
you wouldn’t feel that comfortable to say they Systems is not only to encourage and build
are replaceable, because bringing in technical women up and give them a voice, but also to
knowledge is one thing, but bringing in passion advocate for more women in this industry. I
about what you do is something completely think that is something that we really want to
different. push forward and encourage women to look at
the power industry as an option. Because it is
We put this in the perspective of power systems just not as prevalent for women as it is for men.
because we work in that industry. And women
have that subtle perspective they can take,
coupled with their cyclical approach to life
where everything is interwoven, and are able
AR If I were to pick one word from each
of what you said – Rachel, yours is
Advocacy, we are here to advocate. For Marina,
to tell their stories in a certain way which is it would be Sinergy, we are here as a collective,
different from men, and which we all can learn and we advocate for our community. And
from. In that way, I think we need to give them then Petra, yours is Dynamic. This is a dynamic
space and freedom to express themselves fully community. We want to bring ideas and
for who they are, what they are, in all segments thoughts and other women into it.
of life including their workplace, and contribute
even more in this industry, which is mainly a Women in Power Systems is created by women
man's world. – for everyone. I really appreciate you making

We would like to
show the younger
generations how

PC
much opportunity
there is out there for
them in the power
industry.

AR One of the things I love about what

you just said, Marina, is that we
want to celebrate the whole woman and the
community of women in power systems. Power
systems really is a man's world. It is changing,
but changing, in our opinion, much too slowly.
Rachel, when you first heard about Women in
Power Systems, what were your thoughts and
what is your drive for doing this?

Rachel Linke: First of all, thank you, Petra and

Marina, for what you said. I think that really
puts a good perspective on what we are trying
Photo: WPS

to do. Something else I think that we really

want to do with Women in Power Systems is to
22 FEATURE
INTERVIEW

me part of the community. And as the Editor because if we are not authentic, if we can’t
in Chief of the launching edition of WPS, I am express who we are, if we need to imitate and
going to work behind the scenes to enable fit into predefined expectations of what we
Women and Power Systems to be everything it should be, feel or act like, we can’t find and live
can be. our passions. It’s like stepping in other people’s
shoes and that’s not comfortable, is it? To be able
Rachel and I are co-hosts on a podcast called to grow and develop, we need to feel authentic.
High Voltage, and we will be interviewing both We need to feel free. We need to be able to
men and women, providing inspiring profiles for express everything that we are, to show all of our
Women in Power Systems. Rachel, tell us about talents, no matter how tiny they might seem to
some ideas you have got. somebody. Only then we can really contribute.
Many women have made their careers, thanks to

RL Yes. aside from women involved in

power systems, we have talked to quite
a few companies led by men who have expressed
their own knowledge and talents, but in many
ways by acquiring male principles of thinking,
problem-solving, acting in the workplace, by
an interest to really expand the role of women not standing out or showing their feminine
within their company. That is something that we side. I don't think that really brings the benefits,
also want to see. We do want to hear from men because a perfect synergy is the one that unites
within our industry as well. There is passion to masculine and feminine energies and this
see the industry change, to bring more women balance brings to fulfilling our full potential.
into various roles, because we bring different
unique abilities and talents to these roles. We Outside their knowledge, the experience and
want to see more and more of that. And I think technical skills, women have a lot of different
many companies are seeing that as well. and unique skills. They have hobbies and
interests which are also translatable to what they

AR One of the things I really appreciate

that you bring to this, Marina, is
your focus on women being themselves. When
do. For example, their role as mothers requires
and inspires in them aptitude and finesse, as well
as the strength, to balance, support and manage
women come into an industry like this, many so many important aspects of life, and they bring
times we expect them to act like men. And the
truth is, we don't want women to come into

There is passion to
see the industry
change, to bring
more women into

RL
various roles, because
we bring different
unique abilities and
talents to these roles.

power systems and act like men. We want them

to come into Women in Power Systems and be
women. We want to celebrate the whole woman
in all her roles, interests and pursuits. And then
the role that she plays in business is integrated.
I love the fact that you are talking about the
complete woman. Marina, tell me a little bit
more about what that means to you.

MC Being complete, in all your roles, and

acting as a complete person with all
your flairs, talents and desires is very important
 Transformer Technology June 2021 23

Issue 13

these skills to projects they work on, which they power industry today that did not exist in the
tend to with special care. They are fantastic beginnings. The power industry was exciting and
organizers, coordinators and irreparable promising back then, but now it is even more so,
multitaskers, but how many times have we seen with new digital technologies, possibilities that
that motherhood is seen as a disadvantage in the we could not even imagine a few decades back.
workplace? If women can feel free to incorporate It is offering so much possibility, and her advice
their complete self in their everyday workplace was for all the younger generations – just join the
and life, I think that helps them a lot in achieving industry. Do not hesitate if you have the talent,
the true sense of purpose. if you have an interest in this. Join the industry
because it is offering so many possibilities.

AR One of the many elements of content

that Women in Power Systems will
offer is something I call Petra's Notebook. Petra
And that is something that we would like to
explore here. We would like to show the younger
generations how much opportunity there is out
calls it Women of Note, and I like that. In every there for them.
one of our digital issues, Petra is going to profile
women with inspiring backgrounds in the power
industry. Petra, you are a different thinker.
I use the word dynamic. You bring a unique
perspective to this of the next generation. What
Our future efforts
does all of this mean to you? are focused on
decreasing partial
discharge as well as
Apart from doing developing a system
interviews, we that will ensure the
would like to invite bushings have self-
all women who like cleaning properties,
to write to contact approaching those of
us. We would like to porcelain.
have bloggers and
publish inspirational
stories that celebrate AR Excellent. And to you, dear readers –
we would love to hear about the new
the importance ideas that you have as women for where we are
going in the power industry. My wife asked me
of collaboration, what my motivation is for doing this. Having

of showing thought about everything that I am doing or

have done, I think this initiative is going to be
belief, expanding the most giving that I could ever have been part
of, the one that is going to impact the future
and erasing the better than anything else.
boundaries, and
stepping out of the MC Just like you feel that this is
something really big for you, Alan, I

comfort zone. think it will be for many people. We are stepping

out wider now with this idea. We want women
to show all of their colors. And apart from
interviews we will be doing, I would like to invite
all women who like to write to collaborate with

PC I love that you assigned that word to

me, dynamic. I was just thinking how
I recently had the pleasure and privilege of
us. We would like to have bloggers as well, we
want inspirational stories but not necessarily
in their greatness of achievement but stories
talking to a woman in a very high position in the that celebrate the importance of showing
power industry, with more years of professional belief, expanding and erasing the boundaries,
experience than I have on this planet. One of stepping out of the comfort zone. Sometimes the
Photo: WPS

the things I loved about her story is that she said person you inspire most when you start writing
there are so many more opportunities in the is yourself. It is an amazing gift that you can
24 FEATURE
INTERVIEW

discover in yourself. I would like to encourage all

the amazing women out there – think about how And to you, dear
much you can inspire, not only women, but also
the men around you. We can help each other
readers – we would
grow and expand. This is the gift that we all have love to hear about the
and I would like to see us all embrace it.
new ideas that you
have as women for
AR That is a wonderful message. If you
have got something to say, Women
in Power Systems will be a voice for you. The where we are going in
word that comes to me is inspire. If we inspire
one woman to advance in her career, or one
the power industry.
man to look at women as engineers, it is an
achievement to celebrate. We want to put
generational stories out there to inspire the
younger generations. PC Sometimes in life, the unexpected things
are the best. And that is what happened
with the idea of Women in Power Systems. You

RL I think this is an exciting first step think of something, and then you realize that
into something that is really needed. there is already a space in the world that seemed
I hope to see more and more women inspired to have been waiting for you and this idea to be
to join this industry. We want to make sure born. I believe that this voyage into the unknown
that women know that they are valued. Those will be a good thing for all of us and that we will
are our three main goals as we go forward – we discover that there are many more people who
want to inspire, encourage and advocate for will be inspired by this along the way.
women in power systems.

AR I hope that we are going to look back

on this later in life as the genesis
of something very special. I really appreciate
each of you individually and I love the synergy
What we need today between all of us.

is synergy. Not just

between men and
women, but the
synergy between
each and every
individual. We are
all part of a bigger
picture, and our
individual growth
and expansion are
reflected in the

MC
growth and success
of the team or a
community we make
part of.

MC I would like to invite all women and

men alike to join us, to feel open
to this idea and see – they might be surprised
Photo: WPS

– how much we can all grow through this

community.
Transformer Technology CHARTER June 2021 25

Issue 13 SPONSORS

We believe in fostering
the promotion, education,
and unique talents of all
women in the industry.

Delta Star is proud to sponsor Women in Power Systems as we believe in fostering

the promotion, education, and unique talents of all women in the industry.

We appreciate how WPS supports this initiative by creating a strong

community where women can share, grow and promote values in the
workplace and in society.
 26

Assistant Vice President and Global Business Leader

Interview with Javiera F. McGuiggan for Dielectric Solutions at Cargill BioIndustrial
SECRETS
OF SUCCESS

Javiera
 Transformer Technology June 2021 27

Issue 13

F. McGuiggan

Bridging the Gaps, Building the Teams

The heart of my
mission as a person
is to feel that,
through the work
that I do, I am really
making a difference
in the world.

S
S

T
CES

E
SUC

E C R
S E S
OF
S
C C
SU SEC
RET
S
Photo: Javiera F. McGuiggan
28 SECRETS
OF SUCCESS

Javiera F. McGuiggan is a leader with a personal mission to make a difference

in the world. With a background in hydraulic engineering, she started her
professional career with Procter & Gamble in 2003, followed by almost 14
years with 3M, where she rose to the position of Global Marketing Manager.
She joined Cargill in 2019, where she is now Assistant Vice President and
Global Business Leader for Dielectric Solutions at Cargill BioIndustrial. She
supports the charity Feed My Starving Children where she is a member of
the Board of Directors. Her best team and greatest support is her family.

Alan Ross: I am honored to speak to Javiera of the BioIndustrial division, Javiera is the
McGuiggan, a powerhouse woman who champion for FR3 at Cargill. Javiera, we would
suggested changing the name of Women in like to hear about your career journey and how
Power Systems to Women in Power, which tells you ended up in the power industry.
you something about her. Another woman in
power is my co-host in this interview, the Chair Javiera F. McGuiggan: I had an amazing
of the Steering Committee for Women in Power long time in my previous company, many
Systems, Rachel Linke. opportunities and great products that you
Photo: Javiera F. McGuiggan

could be proud of promoting. But when the

At Transformer Technology, we promote the headhunter came calling, Cargill got to the heart
developments that bring about change, and of my mission as a person, which is to feel that,
Cargill's FR3 liquid is changing the landscape for through the work that I do, I am really making
transformer fluids. As a Global Business Leader a difference in the world. And I had moved
Transformer Technology June 2021 29

Issue 13

away from that in my last role at the previous is my little world. There are these greenish, very
company. My goal was not only talking about a blended boxes everywhere or hanging from
message, but actually influencing change that is a tree, and people have no idea that they are
significant for people and for the planet. It was there. They don't see them, and they don't know
a mission that was way too attractive to pass up. how critical they are for us to live our daily lives.
Any way to make that either more efficient

AR Could you tell us more about your

mission at Cargill BioIndustrial, and
how you became their Global Business Leader?
or smarter or better, with all the challenges of
growth that we have around the world, or even
just bringing power to people where they don't
even have power yet, and how life changing that

JM The BioIndustrial group has this

broader mission to change either
chemicals or petroleum-based industrial
is – that just makes the whole industry super
attractive to me.

solutions into bio-based renewable solutions.

And there are many areas of that in almost
every industry. The business that I am leading
AR One of the things that I really like
about Woman in Power Systems
is that the focus is on the whole woman, the
is the dielectric fluid – electronics world of that complete person. When I was in the role of a
transformation. This fluid is directly replacing CEO, nobody was interested in my role as a
mineral oil, but it is more than that. It is better husband and a father. But Women in Power
for the community because it is based on plant Systems wants to celebrate all roles that
oil. There is nothing that could be more natural a person plays in their life. How does your
or biodegradable, which is a concept people are personal life fit in with your career? I hope
sometimes misled about. The mission itself is your answer will challenge me, too.
doing something that is good for the industry,
good for the world, and is a concrete bio-based
solution.. JM I think that how we treat men versus
women should change, in the sense of
including the wholeness of the man, as well as
Rachel Linke: Javiera, I love hearing about your the wholeness of the woman. Sometimes women
journey to where you are now, what you have think, I don't want to tell people anything
accomplished and just the great things that you about my kids or my personal responsibilities
have been able to do to bring value to your job because that makes me less attractive for a
and your career. But what made you initially promotion or an opportunity. And it should
think about the power industry, when you were be the opposite. It should be that we see men
either in school or as your career progressed? also – and everyone – as a whole in themselves.
What drew you into this industry? We are also considering their family needs
and their time constraints, and not doing the

JM What I find really attractive about

the power industry is that it is one
of those invisible things that affects our life in
opposite of thinking that, because someone
is male and single, they obviously have more
time. They could have their own pursuits they
every single point. It touches almost every aspect want to dedicate their personal life to. I think
of our lives, in every way, all the time, and we that change should be not in the denial of the
are not conscious of it until the power is off. woman's completeness, but in the inclusion of
We depend on it so dramatically, not only on the man's completeness.
hospitals and big institutions having power, but
in our daily life. Who would live a day, or half a
day now without their phone? Or people who
have electric vehicles – they would literally not
AR I absolutely agree with you about the
need to bring out and celebrate the
wholeness of a person, man or woman. I want to
be able to leave their house. be a father and a grandfather too, and not lead
two separate lives at home and at work. How
have you personally managed to achieve that
Transformers are my little balance?
world. Bringing power to people
who don’t have it, and how JM I am very, very lucky that my support
system is my family. My brother lives
life-changing that is – that close to me, as does my mother. Being Latins,
we are a very close-knit family. There is no
makes the whole industry super day that we don't talk or probably see each
attractive to me. other. Another great thing about joining Cargill
is that part of their culture is putting people
above anything. Your trips can be absolutely
It is something we are so dependent on, yet it is planned by you. A lot of my business is
completely invisible. Even transformers – that international and there is an incredible value
30 SECRETS
OF SUCCESS

in being present locally, talking to people and

understanding their local needs, the needs
of your team, everything. You have a lot of
RL Javiera, I think that is amazing. It
sounds like you are really good at
problem solving, which I think is a great skill to
flexibility in managing that, without forced have in your field. Were there any challenges
schedule or forced limits for how long trips that you had to face in your professional career
have to be. related to the mindset of your colleagues, and
how did you overcome that?

If you want to have a great

career, you have to have a great I have the self-confidence
team at home and at work. of knowing that my opinion
matters. I know I am smart
Having that, knowing that I am the priority,
is a dramatic change. That way I have been
enough that, if I say something,
able to manage being the leader of a global I am contributing. I need to be
business. And by having a great team. If you
want to have a great career, you have to
brave and just do it, because
have a great team at home and really make nobody else will be able to do
them understand that they are all in it, and
everyone is committed to the success of
that for me.
this career. At work also, you need to have
a team that you are flexible with and they
are flexible with you. Your team needs to
be empowered to do what they need to do
JM Sometimes knowing that you belong
at every table is a lot on its own.
I thankfully have the personality, which
without a lot of oversight, and you need to be helps, and not everyone does – and that is
a good boss who understands that. So, build a the self-confidence of knowing my opinion
good team all around you would be my best matters. I know I am smart enough that, if
advice - at home and at work. I say something, I am contributing. I need

Photo: Javiera F. McGuiggan

Transformer Technology June 2021 31

Issue 13

to be brave and just do it. That is the first be ignored. I think my efforts to be a good
personal work that you absolutely have to leader have been more about bridging the
do, because no one will be able to do that for generational gap than about the male versus
you. Externally, I think the biggest challenge female issue.
that I had was not sharing common themes
with the people I worked with, either hobbies
or interests that differ from what a woman
might be interested in. I would say networking
RL Javi, our goal at Women in Power
Systems is to inspire, encourage and
advocate for women. Have you seen a growth
is a challenge, finding commonalities with the in women in the power industry? And how
men that work in your industry. The typical would you suggest we can help encourage
challenge for me was feeling left out of these others whose company may not have women in
circles. But we all love what we do and there leadership positions, or any positions?
are more things we have in common than those
that make us different.
JM I have seen the change. I have seen
more of a broader presence of

AR In 1976, I worked for a company with

the worst manager I ever worked for.
He was replaced by the best manager I ever
women in the short period that I have been at
Cargill. I have seen a positive change. How do
we encourage that? I think we are still just
worked for. Her name was Mary Kee. She was starting the process. I am a big advocate of this:
relatively new into management and leadership It is necessary to set goals. If you don't
at that time, but she was a great leader. She challenge yourself, if you don't measure things,
brought the best out in me. In fact, she brought things don't happen. Sadly, at the beginning,
so much good out of me that I left the company. that is how you have to force change.
You are in a leadership position now, as you
were in 3M. Is it different, difficult, harder,
better? Tell us about your role of leading both
The biggest goal of diversity is
men and women to a common goal. that someday we don't even have
to talk about it. That is when we
It has been more of a benefit made it.
for women to be managed
by a woman because it is When companies or institutions or associations
have goals of including women in leadership
encouraging. There is unspoken roles and board positions, it is how it has to be
understanding, an easier so that we move to the next step where it is
natural. We all want to achieve diversity. The
relatability. biggest goal of diversity is that someday we
don't even have to talk about it. That is when

JM I would say I see a huge difference

in managing men and women.
It has been more of a benefit for women
we made it. But we are not there yet. For now,
I think we definitely have to set goals that are
purposeful to force the change that needs to
to be managed by a woman because it is happen. And then we will move to the great
encouraging. They feel that I will know world where it is not necessary to force it.
what they are going through. If they have a
personal issue, they know I will understand or Another way is always starting from the
I have lived through that. There is unspoken beginning. We are very active in recruiting and
understanding, an easier relatability. doing speeches to women engineers, chemists,
scientists who are now in college, who can see
I think it definitely makes a difference for themselves in this career and are hopefully
women to see women leaders and think it not scared of it, that they don't think it will
could be them some day. The same goes for constrain them from having a family or being
management. I think my biggest challenge in complete in every other way.
managing has usually been the age difference.
How do I manage people who have wisdom We should just keep encouraging girls, young
and longer experience than me, but yet have ladies who are still in college in this field to try
to report to me? There is a delicate balance out for this industry, make it attractive to them
of bringing in new ideas, and you have been and make them see that there is a space for them.
placed in your position because you have the
potential to do great at your job. I balance that
by valuing everyone's experience. It doesn't
mean that because my colleagues are older,
AR I have had two sons, I am about to
have one granddaughter. And you can
rest assured that girl is going to be an engineer,
they don't matter or what they have done will she is going to be a CEO.
32 SECRETS
OF SUCCESS

DENVER

JM (laughs) that you are starting this group. It is absolutely

No pressure! necessary and valuable, and I hope more people
join and see the value of it.

We should keep encouraging

young ladies who are still AR Thank you so much for joining us
on this launch of Women in Power
Systems. You are a delight, whether we are
in college in this field to try talking about a technical product like FR3 or
out for this industry, make whether we are discussing the whole woman
within the industry. You made one point that
it attractive to them and make we want to make. You said a woman could be
them see that there is a space a chemist, could be an engineer. In Women in
Power Systems, we want to celebrate all of the
for them. women in this industry.

AR When we achieve what you said

about not having to talk about
diversity any more, that is when Women in
JM Exactly, in this industry there is
procurement, sales, quality control,
etc. In my group I have finance, product line
Power Systems will not be needed any more. management – most of my key roles are held by
women. There are many different ways to be a

JM My most important point is that we

are not there yet. Sadly, many people
part of it.

still don't see why it is necessary to have a

Women in Power Systems special group so
that we encourage this change and promote
RL Javiera, you are an inspiration. Thank
you for bringing power to those who
don’t have it yet, and for showing us the way to
different ways of thinking and ideas. I am happy the future of Women in Power Systems.

TOKYO
Photo: Javiera F. McGuiggan
Transformer Technology CHARTER June 2021 33

Issue 13 SPONSORS

Women power the world.

That’s why Cargill has
committed to achieving
gender parity globally.
Companies, institutions
and associations must
have goals of including
women in leadership roles
and board positions, as
this is a way to move to
the next step where it
becomes natural.

At Cargill we support diversity, intergenerational collaboration and bridging of all the

gaps, including those between men and women. We need women’s ingenuity, drive and
insights to continue fueling innovation for our customers and communities.

We recognize and support the ideals that WPS embodies as some of

the most important values in achieving diversity and inclusion.

Go to [Link] for more information on how Cargill is relying on

women and diverse perspectives to help us nourish a growing world.

[Link]

[Link]
 34

President & CEO of Europe, Russia,

Interview with Agnès Théodule Central Asia and Israel at GE Grid Solutions
LEAD
WHEN
WOMEN

Agnès
 Transformer Technology June 2021 35

Issue 13

Théodule

in the Power Systems Industry

Building a Meaningful Career
When you break some
of the initial barriers,
then very quickly
you start getting the
benefits of being a
woman in this role.
Photo: Agnès Théodule
36 WHEN
WOMEN
LEAD

In this interview one of the founders of Women in Power Systems, Petra

Curlin, spoke to Agnès Théodule, one of the great women in the power
systems industry who spent her entire career climbing the professional
ladder within one company that provided support and opportunities for her
professional growth. Have the times changed over the years? In this interview,
Agnès shares her personal story and invaluable professional advice for all
women and younger generations entering the industry of power systems.

Petra Curlin: We are very proud today to at the time. I was very lucky because I was
have with us one of the first female leaders to often offered new opportunities for career
support WPS and share her stories with us, Agnès growth within my company. This provided an
Théodule, President and CEO of Europe, Russia, opportunity for me to advance from a project
Central Asia and Israel at GE Grid Solutions. manager and sales engineer roles to an area
Welcome Agnès. manager in the substation business, followed by
sales vice president in the power transformer
Agnès is a mother of two and she loves the business and various global roles that I held
mountains. She is currently in lockdown in the afterwards. The downside of this trend was
French Alps, is that right Agnès? that in the first 12 years of my career, I was in
an organization which was very static. On two
Agnès Théodule: Thank you, Petra. You are quite occasions I felt I was reaching my comfort zone
right. I am stuck in the Alps and now I will have and I expected to be more challenged in my roles.
to ski each weekend for six weeks (laughs).
Thinking about my next steps, I realized

PC Agnès, you are a leader in one of

the biggest global companies in the
power industry. Could you share with us what
that I had to be more proactive in order to
be presented with the opportunity. So, I did
this the second time. I felt I was reaching my
first inspired you to start your career in the comfort zone and I openly expressed that
power systems? Tell us something about the I would like to progress and do something else.
beginnings of your career. I was immediately offered a new job in the
power transformer business. So, the difficulty

AT What appealed to me to choose power

generation and transmission industry
was the fact that these facilities are present in
I faced was feeling too anchored in current
circumstances, and not looking forward enough.

all countries and they serve the basic needs of

any population. This global aspect was of great
interest to me, knowing that I will meet with
PC That is amazing. I don't know how many
people would actually accept so many
new challenges. You say when you advanced in
customers from anywhere in the world. The your career, it all progressed pretty naturally. One
second important element was the diversity of thing that I am really interested in is the attitude
the technologies and science that are integrated of your colleagues at the beginning of your career,
in the power system. You have everything from and how it changed over time. We know the power
pure mechanical science to electrical, thermal industry is traditionally a man’s world, so what
and software engineering. These were the two was the support from your male colleagues like?
main drivers for me.

PC I can imagine you saw a lot of change

of technology over your career. What
AT When I started my first job, I was the
first new engineer in a new recruitment
wave in the company, which happened five
was the biggest challenge that you faced years after the previous wave of recruitment.
during your career? They recruited five to ten new engineers at that
time. When I joined, there was nobody of my

AT I had no real career plan, and my

professional growth was essentially
driven by the needs of the position I occupied
age, and there were only men who were hired
five years before. But I enjoyed full respect
from my colleagues, both from younger ones,
 Transformer Technology June 2021 37

Issue 13

I was very lucky because

I was often offered
new opportunities for
career growth within my
company.

Women must be more

proactive in order to
be presented with
opportunities.

and those in the hierarchy – from my direct capabilities more when I entered the power
manager to the higher-level managers. I did transformer world because I was a woman,
feel a bit under scrutiny because I was the only but again, I think it was generally a positive
female. I felt I had to demonstrate a bit more welcome.
than if I were a man, but that was it.
In my career, I worked a lot in Asia, the Middle
There was something interesting, however – East and in Africa. I was in charge of the Africa –
when they talked to me they would use the Middle East region in some key activities, and
vous*, which is a sign of respect. I noticed they I could really recognize the full respect from my
didn’t use it among themselves, only with male colleagues in those countries. Same with
me. So, I forced them to have the same direct the customers. In certain areas, the customers
interaction with me as they would among were only men, there were no women.
themselves.
Photo: Agnès Théodule

Over the years, I became more visible in the * Plural of the French personal pronoun tu – “you“; used as a
organization because I was often the only sign of respect when addressing someone older than yourself
female. Maybe I had to demonstrate certain and/or a less familiar acquaintance.
38 WHEN
WOMEN
LEAD

I remember an event
when we celebrated an
HVDC contract in India
and there was a big
ceremony. There were
around 100 people
present and I was the
only female in the room.

My message to younger
generations is to join this
industry. Because today,
the T&D business is much
more exciting than in my
early days, with so much
innovation going on.

I remember a case when we celebrated an even at that time when there were fewer women
HVDC contract in India and there was a big in the industry. And I see a significant change
ceremony. There were around 100 people now.
present and I was the only female in the room.
Photo: Agnès Théodule

I would also like to share one event when I just

I really can’t say I ever had a bad experience. had my second child and I decided to work part
I don't say that it is always the case, but globally, time, only four days a week. I had some feedback
I think this is an industry which welcomed women at that time that I was being considered for a
Transformer Technology June 2021 39

Issue 13

promotion, but working part time was not that while it was conservative, was still very interesting
well received by some of the managing directors, – to a very innovative industry. There is also a new
so the promotion didn’t happen. However, the carbon-free technology being developed, which is
next time, a few years later when I repeated this key for the future, for environmental reasons and
part-time work with the new boss, who was, let’s for the safety of our workers.
say, from a new generation and fully understood
that I could achieve my work with the right Then, when it comes to more personal behavior
organization and team, this was achievable. and acumen, I think it is very important to
I could delegate to the right people, and obviously be direct and to break down the barriers that
I was available in case of emergency any time sometimes can be placed in front of you. Just be
when needed. So, even this is possible for women simple and like in the example I gave, don't accept
if the organization supports it. that they speak to you using vous when they don’t
use it among themselves.

PC You mentioned in a conversation we

had earlier that while it is more difficult
for women to prove themselves in the power PC “No vous – I am not old, please!”

transformer industry, later it is actually an

advantage, and you get respect once you have
earned it. Could you comment on that a little bit? AT Exactly! But this probably wouldn’t
happen today as we are generally more
relaxed and direct in communication. But we

AT Once you become more visible and

appreciated, with time you get even
more appreciated. I guess the feelings are a bit
could translate this example to other kinds of
barriers which could still be there today. Don't
accept it. Be straightforward.
inflated when it comes to dealing with a woman
compared to a male in the industry. When you And what I often notice – women are generally
break some of the initial barriers that you might more straightforward in the workplace. This
encounter during the first interaction with either facilitates the relationships they build.
your colleagues or customers, then very quickly
you take that as a benefit and you feel that being Another advice I would give is to be more
a woman in this role is more of an advantage proactive than what I had been myself. It is
than a disadvantage. good to be focused on your current job, but you
also need to look forward to more and see new

PC What advice would you give to the

younger generation starting their career
in the power industry? How can they bridge this
opportunities. And then be more proactive when
those opportunities come so you can take them.

first gap? How can they break the ice? In my

experience, although women have some more
prominent positions in the industry now, they
PC What would you say was the proudest
moment in your career that you would
like to share?
are still the minority. And often a woman will
find herself as the only female among her male
colleagues. AT I joined the power transformer
business in 2003 as a deputy sales VP.
And then one year later, I was appointed the

AT The first advice I would give is to join this

business. Because today, this business is
much more exciting than in my early days. In fact,
sales VP. At that time, we had €320 million
activity worldwide and operated eight
factories over five continents. We were present
back then T&D was a very traditional business everywhere, but we faced huge difficulties
with not so much innovation going on. And today because the market was very depressed.
it is quite the opposite. Today, the main challenges
come from the integration of renewable energy In 2005 and 2006, the market started to
obtained from very large, concentrated offshore increase drastically. What I am proud of is
wind farms, to the distributed energy through that we managed to seize the opportunity to
the rooftop solar panel on your house. This increase our volume, but also our market share
change in the production of electricity induces a in this period. In fact, we very quickly managed
huge change in the transmission. It is a technical to turn this into a profitable business, before
change, but also it is a change in business models it was losing money. We jumped on the wave,
and in regulations of transmitting this energy. and made it even better than the wave was,
also managing customer expectations. At the
All these challenges open a huge space for time we were moving from a buyer’s market
innovation, and the pace of this business has to a seller’s market. We needed to maximize
completely changed. The time constant was very customer satisfaction and try to find a solution
long and now it is accelerating. We are really for them to get our product as it became very
moving from a conservative industry – which, scarce on the market. In fact, we were selling
40 WHEN
WOMEN
LEAD

Women are generally

more straightforward in
the workplace.
This facilitates the
relationships they build.

pre-booked slots in the factory in order for with customers whose countries were at war,
them to reserve the slot. either civil war or otherwise. And still, they
need your support and your equipment.
This was also very interesting from the Sometimes you need to find an innovative
sales perspective. I had to develop the sales solution to continue to serve them. And then
capability when I could have been in an easy you earn their loyalty, which is very powerful
position. And I didn't want to benefit from this and important to keep and develop your
easy position. I wanted to continue to develop customer base.
the long-term relation with our customers
and justify their trust and confidence in the
fact that we will always find a solution for
them. I am quite proud of what we managed
PC Thank you, Agnès. This is extremely
inspiring for anyone considering a
profession in the power industry and, like you
to do, knowing that in my last year, in 2009, said, there are so many possibilities. I loved
we had the volume of orders of more than what you said – that the industry was exciting
€1,050,000,000. At that time we had three back then, but that it is even more exciting
more factories worldwide, 11 in total. and offers even more possibilities today
when we have renewables, a lot of new digital
So, from the sales aspect, you need to be able technologies and many other opportunities.
to deliver in order to maintain the long-term Thank you very much for this insight and
Photo: Agnès Théodule

relationship and long-term presence with knowledge.

your customer. And to do this, you need their
confidence and you need to be there when life
is not so easy for them. In my career, I worked AT Thank you for the opportunity.
 Transformer Technology 41

Issue 13

Laura L. Vandiver

Laura Lynn
Vandiver
is a transfo
rmer
cooling exp
ert
and Busine
ss
Developme
nt
Manager at
Paradoxe
Corporation
. She
is a mother
of three
teenagers a
nd
lives in Jac
kson,
Tennessee
with her
family, two
cats and
two dogs.

Laura studie
d at the Univ
Community ersity
College and of Southern Indiana, Iv
degree in p Ashford Un y Tech
sy iversity. Sh
in the energ chology. She began h e holds a
y sec er pro
as an agent tor with Advanced Pow fessional journey
Solutions, C re p re senti er Systems
ooper Powe ng brands such as Co in 2006
Systems), S r Systems (n oper Lightin
alisbury, QE ow Eaton’s g
Huskie Too I, G Coope
ls, Nordic F E-ITI, and Digital, Fede r Power
and Latin A iberglass, a ral Pacific,
nd
Corporation merican markets. In 2 BMC in the Caribbean
as an 010 sh
of Sales for Account Executive, pro e joined Paradoxe
the U.S. and gressing to
rose to the Canadian te Director
position of rritories. In
help spearh Business D 2018 she
ead e velopm
Today Laura a new transformer co ent Manager to
continues h oling fan in
cooling solu er itiative.
tions and p work to provide transf
service com a c k a g es to utilitie ormer
manufacture panies, repair shops, s, industrials,
transforme rs world and transfo
r cooling fa wide. When she isn’t fi rmer
roaming the n mounting guring out
hardware st solution
house, doin
g yardwork ore, making s, she also likes
or taking w repairs a
free spirit a
t h e alks in natu round the
Some day sh a rt and re. Laura is
e wants to b the beach is her favori a
uy an RV an te place.
d travel arou
nd the U.S.

Source: LinkedIn
Photo: Laura L. Vandiver, [Link]

(Laura L. Vandiver)
42 WOMEN
OF NOTE

Stina Flogell Östlundh

te
nd Dan Itosu-K
ai and kara
eden , 2 ed n.
e
C E O o f Megger Sw to c k h o lm County, Sw
is , S
ll Östlundh om Dandery
d
Stina Floge instructor fr

nued her
n g s c h o ol, she conti
ing engine e ri ined an
After finish n o m ics and obta 6.
y studyin g e c o rsity in 201
education b e a t S to c k holm Unive m p a n y but
c u ti v e M B A degre e d a t a fi n ance co
Exe a work rchasing an
d
career, Stin owed by pu
Early in her s a le s , fo ll s u re m e nt
n g e d h e r fo cus to
is h te s t a n d mea
cha e Swed tric in 1997
,
he joined th ramma Elec
logistics. S tu re r P ro g la te r
equipment
manufac anager and
o rk e d a s P urchasing M r’s acquisition of
e
where she w ager. Following Megg ught
d u c ti o n M a n
S ti n a ’s b a c kground bro de
Pro 007, nd ma
Electric in 2 r Sweden a
Programma ion of company CEO fo In 2 009,
osit am.
her to the p p 's K e y L e adership Te e d is h
the Grou Power, the
Sw
her part of in to B o a rd e n in g the
ti n a w a s a ccepted e a im o f s trength
S ith th he is also a
t initiative w ve boards. S f Commerce.
governmen in e x e c u ti
women lm Chambe
ro
presence of r a t the Stockho u-Kai 2009. She is
e m b e
Council m arate in Itos oard member of
a s ta rt e d training k r and b
S ti n
nd Dan Itosu-K
ai, instructo
now 2 .
Karate Club
Danderyds
Photo: Stina Flogell Östlundh, [Link]

Source: LinkedIn (Stina Flogell Östlundh)

Megger, Danderyds Karate Club
 Transformer Technology 43

Issue 13

Katie Kossow

Katie Kosso
w is
a Marketing
Team
Lead at Dyn
amic
Ratings in S
ussex,
Wisconsin.
When
she was yo
ung,
she dreame
d
of becomin
g
a professio
nal
football pla
yer, but
life took an
other
direction an
d she
found her p
assion
in marketin
g and
event plann
ing.

Katie holds
a degree in
with a mino marketing fr
r in internati om Northwes
certification onal st tern College
from the Un udies, and a digital ma
She also st iversity of W rketing
udied busin isconsin-M
Xiamen Univ ess and the ilwaukee.
ersity in Xia Chinese lan
professiona men, Fujian guage at th
l journey in , China. She e
for the Wisc 2010 as a S began her
onsin State pecial Even
Program Co Fair. The fo ts Coordina
ordinator fo llowing yea tor
r Interfaith r she becam
In 2014, sh O ld e r Adult Prog e
e joined the
Kroenke Sp Sportsman rams.
orts & Ente Channel div
Coordinato rtainment a ision of
r. In s an E
Marketing C September 2015, she b vent Marketing
oordinator egan workin
products an at g as a
d services p Dynamic Ratings, a mo
is now a Glo rovider for th nitoring
bal Marketi e utility ind
webinars an ustry. She
d events, bra ng Team Leader, respo
nd manage n
social media
and multi-c ment, digita sible for
Katie volun han l m arketing,
teers as a re nel campaign manage
fugee tutor m
Learning Ce
nter in Milw at the Intern ent.
a u kee and coo a tion
Ratings Care
s volunteer rdinates Dyn al
community. opportu a mic
In her free ti
lost in a go me, she enjo nities in the local
od book, an
d growing ve ys traveling, getting
getables in
her garden.

Source: LinkedIn
(Katie Kossow)
Photo: Katie Kossow, [Link]
44 PASSION FOR
PROFESSION

PAS
PRO S I O N
Maria
FES
FOR

SIO
N

What attracted me to
Commercial Manager for
General Finishes at PPG

PPG was its long and

proud history of providing
coatings to the electrical
market. PPG was looking
for someone to really
work on building the right
Interview with Maria Lamorey

product platform and

continue to penetrate
that market and it was a
great opportunity for me.
Photo: Maria Lamorey
Transformer Technology June 2021 45

Issue 13

Lamorey
46 PASSION FOR
PROFESSION

In this interview, we talked to one of the great women in the transformer

industry, an electrical equipment manufacturing expert, Maria Lamorey.
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Maria is a member of the
IEEE Transformers Committee and has been an industrial coatings expert
with PPG for six years.
 Transformer Technology June 2021 47

Issue 13

One of the innovations

we designed is an extreme
edge powder coating,
which is specially designed
to reach, cover and wrap
around the edge of the
products.

Alan Ross: One of the things I liked about getting to expand and grow more within that market.
to know Maria is that she is a problem solver. They wanted someone with knowledge of the
In this interview, we are going to talk about a regulations, of the equipment and the
problem that is bigger in the industry than most equipment design to really work to build the
people realize. I have seen the problem before, but right product platform and continue to
I thought the solution was way too complicated. penetrate that market. I have been with them for
PPG has come up with a very unique solution six years now and am excited about being here.
to that. Maria, please talk a little bit about your
history and your background with PPG.

Maria Lamorey: I have been in manufacturing

AR Corrosion in the electrical asset
market is a bigger problem than
most people realize. People try to wall it off,
roughly 20 years, working for a variety of put it in a room, put air conditioning in the
companies. Just before PPG, I spent almost a room and keep corrosion out. But the PPG
Photo: Maria Lamorey

decade in the electrical equipment industry. methodology is to keep it out in a different

What attracted me to PPG the most was the way. Tell us a little bit about what you are
fact that they had been servicing the electrical trying to do and how PPG enables you to work
market in coatings a long time but were looking in innovation.
48 PASSION FOR
PROFESSION

It is truly my passion to be
able to partner with our
customers and help educate
them so that they can act
early and reduce problems that
might occur down the line.

ML One of my big passions, especially

as I consider the electrical industry
and the equipment involved, is that often
AR You just mentioned the alignment
between having a personal career
vision and a company that allows you to live it
we turn on switches and plug in devices, taking out within their commercial market. You also
that for granted. We don't think about all the touched on the point of the problem in the
products in the field that have to live a long marketplace. Where do you see the problem
life in a harsh environment. Manufacturers the most?
of those products have so many things to
consider as far as controls and connections
are concerned. ML We see problems on two kinds of
products – the transformer and the
switchgear, and they go almost hand in hand
But when it comes to the coating, it can in many ways. We see a lot of issues with edge
become the afterthought. One of my visions, corrosion. Sharp edges are really the Achilles
and PPG visions, is to really innovate products heel in the equipment design. They are created
Photo: Maria Lamorey

and provide solutions that are easy for our in the metal fabrication or the substrate stage.
customers to use to solve the corrosion issues, When you coat the parts, whether you are using
while allowing those products to live a long life powder or liquid or electrocoat, it might
outdoors in harsh environments. visually appear as if the paint is covering the
Transformer Technology June 2021 49

Issue 13

entire surface and the edge. But when it goes IEEE, which is great. But it is important to go
into the curing process, it almost liquefies, beyond that and decide what you want your
pulling away from the edge and exposing it. product to do in the field and how long you
This can even be at a microscopic level and not want it to live, without having to repair it. It is
visible until five to 10 years later when that important to understand what testing methods
piece of equipment is out in the field. That is are best to incorporate into your specification –
where the beginning of corrosion could start and this means involving your coating supplier
to occur. It has been a common problem for earlier into that process, who can advise you on
years in many industries, and specifically in the best testing methods that will predict your
the electrical industry. product's field performance and incorporating
that into the matrix.

AR This shows that steps should be taken

in the design phase to eliminate
the problems that might occur long after the AR All this reduces the total cost of
ownership (TCO), which is the lifecycle
product has been manufactured, commissioned cost, not just the manufacturing. So, while
and put in service. What would be the specifying electrical components, specifying
solution at the design stage? What do you say coatings up front would make your life a lot
to the manufacturer or the designer of that easier, wouldn't it?
equipment?

ML We try to avoid potential failures

by providing assistance through the
ML That’s right. We work every day to
provide education in this regard,
whether through technical conferences or the
coating technology, rather than suggesting white papers. It is truly my passion to be able to
equipment manufacturers change their entire partner with our customers and help educate
design. Transformers are often designed them so that they can act early and reduce
specifically to fit in certain spaces which make problems down the line.
it challenging to suggest design changes. We can
make a suggestion if there is a way to design a
certain shape that can be useful but only if we
are early on in that process.
AR You said there is some remediation
afterwards. Most of the time we are
trying to eliminate the problem in the beginning.
If I am specifying the PPG solution, why should I
But if we deal with a product that has been specify it, other than the fact that it provides the
available for a long time, we work to overcome lowest TCO?
the design issue through coating innovations.
One of the innovations we designed is an extreme
edge powder coating. It is specially designed to
reach, cover and wrap around the edge of the
ML PPG is one of only a few companies
that make all the technology:
pretreatment, electric coat, powder, liquid and
products. They are available in a new type of a variety of UV coatings. You can even buy only
layer system containing a primer and a topcoat. one of those products from PPG, and use the
They can also be applied directly to metal as others from other manufacturers, in particular
well as a single coat. pretreatment. Pretreatment goes with a topcoat
and in the PPG world we say that we paint

AR Is there any solution for after?

Coating is an aspect of the design
and it should be specified right. Most people
the pretreatment, we don't paint the metal
necessarily. Pretreatment is literally the most
critical element, but we understand the process
writing specifications just list powder coat, from the beginning to the end, so we can really
but they don’t consider what you have just help to eliminate finger pointing if you are using
mentioned. Most of these assets are in service multiple suppliers.
for 20, 30 or 50 years, especially switchgear.
Is there any way to solve that problem 10 years Also, we have in-house testing capabilities
down the road? to troubleshoot and we invest and innovate
in each of those products so we can make

ML There can certainly be some

repairability, but it is better to be
more proactive and thoughtful in the design
recommendations at any point to improve
processes, whether it is improving the actual
coating line process or the product's longevity
phase and incorporate that into the design in the field. We have an incredible field-based
part of the specification. It is often a case that technical service team that does not only
when these products are designed, the coating is enhance visits, but also has the ability to do
an afterthought, instead of making that decision videoconferencing and troubleshoot
really early on in the process. The other part to products remotely. They are trained in all of
consider is performance testing. We often see the technologies as well, so you really get the
the cut and paste of the UL requirement or the full support.
50 PASSION FOR
PROFESSION

AR What you are doing in the electrical

component industry is unusual and
innovative. What is the best example of a solution
for the problem that you can give? Could you
describe your best case study?

ML We were working with a

transformer and network protectors
manufacturer and they were having a huge
problem with dissimilar metals and galvanic
corrosion. They had stainless steel parts
coming into contact with a cold-rolled steel
part. They went through different coatings and
different suppliers, and their only solution at
the time was to be able to go to all stainless
steel, which was very cost-prohibitive in their
market. And in terms of competitiveness, it
wouldn’t work in the long term.

Since we have multiple divisions, including

aerospace, automotive and our protective
marine coatings group, I was able to work
with our technical team in the industrial
coatings group to come up with a solution that
would typically go into a marine heavy-duty
ship application. We managed to coat these
network protectors and solve the problem.
They were able to keep their design the way it
was, the substrates they were using, and move
away from the complete stainless offering and
maintain a competitive advantage. It was one
of the most exciting projects I worked on.

AR Let us go to switchgear next. This

asset is very unique to the electrical
services industry. Have you had case studies
specific to switchgear?

ML Yes, absolutely. We have worked with

a couple of different manufacturers
where they were having warranty claims and
field claims. These get very expensive because
they don’t only concern the metal housing. The
warranty claim concerns the entire unit, and
the full system has to be replaced, not just the
enclosure itself, typically. Many of these products
use powder coatings. Edge corrosion can be a
real problem here because some of those designs
only have sharp corners. But they also tend to
have fins or louvers for cooling devices or any
kind of odd symmetrical shapes. Just last year
we designed an extreme protection edge powder
– we also call it high-edge powder – because it has
high transfer efficiency characteristics built into
it. In the powder coating processes almost all of
it goes onto the part and wraps and protects it,
unlike a powder coating process where a lot of it
Photo: Maria Lamorey

is lost, with reclaiming falling on the floor, etc. It

really helps the coat to penetrate all those deep
recessed areas and odd shapes and get a good
secure coating on the enclosures themselves that
protect that switchgear.
Transformer Technology June 2021 51

Issue 13
52 PASSION FOR
PROFESSION

AR You just illustrated the best point about

TCO – when it is out of warranty, the
owner is the one who suffers the consequences. Is
our manufacturers that support us and we
support them.

there anything else you would like to add?

AR Maria, Thank you for being our guest
in this edition.

ML We are just excited about the

electrical business, we stay very active
in it, and we look forward to working more with ML Thank you for your time, I have
enjoyed it.

Photo: Maria Lamorey

Transformer Technology CHARTER June 2021 53

Issue 13 SPONSORS

Embracing diversity,
inclusion, collaboration
and welcoming new
generations
into our company has
always been one of
our core values.

For PPG, embracing diversity, inclusion, collaboration and welcoming new generations
into our company has always been one of our core values. Women in Power Systems
is a community that sets out to promote and raise awareness of these values to a wide
global audience, which is why we support and sponsor their cause.

These ideals are also what we celebrate in all of the women within our company,
which make their contribution and inspiration to the company an invaluable
value for PPG.

To learn more, visit

[Link]
54 SECRETS
OF SUCCESS

Mary
Principal Program Manager
at National Grid US

There is always a lot to

learn. But if you surround
yourself with interesting
and very intelligent
Interview with Mary Reidy

people that are excited

about building the future,
I think it makes a world of
difference.

S E CR E TS
OF

SUCCESS
Photo: Mary Reidy
 Issue 13
Transformer Technology

Reidy
June 2021

Collaborative Talents: Foundations

for the Future of Power Industry
55
56 SECRETS
OF SUCCESS

Mary Reidy has over 30 years of experience in power systems. She is the
Principal Program Manager at National Grid US, as well as a member of the
IEEE PES. Among her other accomplishments, Dr. Reidy established the
IEEE Continuing Education. She directed internal and academic teams that
responded to the Federal Government’s Workforce Development program
(ARRA) on Smart Grid Technology, resulting in awards for both an internal
Workforce Development and University Degree programs.

In an interview with Women in Power Systems (WPS) steering committee

chair Rachel Linke and associate curator of the WPS community Alan Ross,
Mary talked about her background with IEEE, the experience that launched
her career and her vision for the future of power systems.

Alan Ross: When I first met Mary, we were talking

about IEEE Smart Grid. Within ten minutes we had
aligned in our thoughts about the past and what
we see for the future. It is a pleasure to welcome
her to Women in Power Systems (WPS).

Mary Reidy: That is such a fantastic honor.

Thank you so much, Alan and Rachel. It is a
pleasure being with you and participating in the
WPS initiative.

AR Mary, you have been with the

National Grid for a good while and
you have seen a lot of change and witnessed a
lot of things happening. I was born in Scotland
and my son lives in London, so I am very well
aware of the National Grid in the UK. But what
does the National Grid do in the US?

MR National Grid started in the UK as

a result of the deregulation that
was occurring in the electric industry under
the Thatcher administration. At that time, the When they came over to the U.S., they acquired
company was what you would call a public six small New England utilities and then the
company or a government company. The former Niagara Mohawk, which served most of
Thatcher administration was very interested in upstate New York. That is where I was working
seeing how economies of scale could be used, so at the time. Shortly after that acquisition, they
they developed a business model, introduced it were able to acquire two downstate New York
to the business community in the UK, and asked smaller utilities that focus on gas operations.
for business people to come forward, take the And from those beginnings, we are now also
business model and make it happen. branching out. We have a National Grid
Ventures group and a National Grid Partners
That is how National Grid started in the UK. group. We are very interested in becoming a
Their function was slightly different than what clean company, to really embrace renewables
we see here in the US, because in the UK they act and some of the new technology. Part of our
as the system operator, which means they are National Grid Ventures and Partners Group will
responsible for balancing the load in generation work on innovation and the other one looks at
so that electricity can be delivered to the renewable sources of electricity. So, it has been
customers that wish to use it. a very exciting career for me.
 Transformer Technology June 2021 57

Issue 13

AR You have been working for a long

period of time in the field of
infrastructure needed for electrification of
communicate to the charging station, but also
the location of the charging stations and then
the need to bring in the independent system
transportation. And I know that was part and operators.
parcel of the passion of yours then and is now as
we start to look at IEEE Smart Grid. You and I are Up here in New England or in the Northeast, we
co-chairs of the Smart Grid marketing committee. actually have two independent system operators,
It is really opening my eyes to a lot of the things one in New York called the New York ISO and
that you knew back then and you might get to one in New England called the ISO New England.
be able to apply now. So, compliments to you for Many times I have seen situations where you
being there early. It is always best to be first, right? have very smart subject matter experts in one
particular area. And if you watch them come

MR I think so. There is always a lot to

learn. But if you surround yourself
with interesting and very intelligent people that
together, usually in a conference setting or in
a meeting where they have a very complex
problem, it is just absolutely phenomenal to
are excited about building the future, I think it see the ideas that surface as each of the subject
makes a world of difference. matter experts start to share what they know
about that particular area of specialty. They are
able to talk back and forth, and the solutions
In terms of my that come out are so much richer and so much
more thoughtful, so much more visionary than
career as a woman, if you asked an individual to try to develop a

I have had so many solution by themselves. It is really, in my opinion,

much more of a heavy burden for one person
wonderful examples to shoulder than to collaborate with others and
be able to see how much more powerful your
of supervisors who solution will be.
have spent time with
me and helped me AR That is a perfect example. One of the
things that you and I both love about

to understand the IEEE is the fact that all the standards work in
IEEE is done by collaborative volunteers coming
bigger picture. together with their subject matter experts from
academia and industry.

AR
across?
What are the best examples of
collaboration that you have come
The opportunities are
only going to grow,
MR At the National Grid in the US,
the core part of the business is in
transmission and distribution of both electric
not only for women,
and gas power, large transmission lines and
but for everyone who
also distribution lines. When you mentioned wants to think about
the electrification of the vehicles, several years
ago I was involved with a working group IEEE what the energy
called p1809. Originally, we were looking at
reductions of greenhouse gases. Electric vehicles
utility industry
were thought of as an alternative approach or will look like in the
something that ought to be considered because,
of course, if you use electric vehicles, you are not
future.
burning gas or diesel. So, we were looking at that
early on.
Rachel Linke: Mary, I love hearing your
With smart grid, a lot of the development that thoughts about collaboration. But I would like
was occurring was related to sensors, two-way to take a little bit of a different direction.
communication, how to connect the vehicle Your accomplishments are amazing, and as far
communication to the electric charging stations, as your talents and abilities, what is it that drew
Photo: Shutterstock

etc. Your point about collaboration was so you into the power industry as a woman?
important because we were dealing not only And what is it about it that was appealing to
with the driver in the vehicle and the systems you? Do you see that there is a growing field for
that were in the vehicle that were going to women in power systems?
58 SECRETS
OF SUCCESS

MR I was a member of IEEE when I was

in college, and I was an officer in the
chapter that I was a member of when I went
was very forward thinking back in the day, both
from the Niagara Mohawk setting and from
our regulators. From that point forward, the
to school at Case Western in Cleveland. One doors just continued to open for me at Niagara
of the ideas that IEEE brought to us students Mohawk. And then when National Grid acquired
was the ability to share not only the studies, Niagara Mohawk, it has really continued.
the discipline that you had been working
on within the academic setting, but you had To go back to your question, Rachel, about
professors, you had research assistants, grads opportunities in power, that was the number one
and fellow dormmates that might be in other driver for me. In terms of my career as a woman,
disciplines. And the conversations that came out I have had so many wonderful examples of
of those were just amazing. We had the benefit supervisors who have spent time with me, both
of bringing in some subject matter experts, in my department and also in what I am going to
researchers, PhD students that were working on call companion departments, that have helped
different concepts. They would come into our me to understand the bigger picture. And I think
IEEE meeting and explain what their paper and the opportunities are only going to grow, not
their lab work was all about, and really where only for women, but for everyone who wants to
they saw the studies moving forward in the next think about what the energy utility industry will
five or ten years. look like in the future.

From that, you got a very clear understanding

that, yes, in fact, they were developing a
theory or pushing forward a theory with some
RL It sounds like you have had a lot of
people that you are able to look up to.
And now you are probably that person for a lot
application, but they were very honest about the of people as well. Have you been able to really
fact that they needed the business community or speak to the younger generation about the
they needed some of the folks from the legal side opportunities, for women specifically?
of the business or regulatory side of the business
to help them frame their particular research if
they ever wanted to commercialize it. When I Going forward, I
graduated, I had this fantastic opportunity to
join Niagara Mohawk as one of a group of 23 believe the future is
junior engineers.
going to be extremely
Niagara Mohawk had determined at that time bright for people who
that they were going to need first level managers
in about five years because the projections that
step out of their one
they had done showed that several of their discipline.
managers were probably going to retire. They
wanted to be very proactive, bring on engineers
and allow them to do what they called a planned
experience. Originally, the planned experience
was going to last about 18 months. And during
MR It is a fantastic and very timely
question. When I look at 2021,
it is almost like seeing that cycle repeated,
that time, we would travel throughout Niagara where a lot of people are looking at potential
Mohawk service territory, from generation retirement in the next couple of years. And we
to transmission to distribution, to the legal are bringing on new and younger generations.
department, to the accounting department and I think those who are interested absolutely get
to the customer end of the business. It was a a chance. We will get a chance to mentor each
wonderful experience. People really considering other. Some people are very energetic about
the richness and the understanding of how all learning and are really asking questions and
the pieces fit together, that is really what I was trying to understand. Going forward, I think
so fortunate to be part of when I was hired at the future is going to be extremely bright for
Niagara Mohawk. people that step out of their one discipline, if I
can say it that way. You may have a degree in
After the planned experience, there was a one particular area when you come into the
project that was assigned to us by our regulators utility industry, but I believe that you have a
to take a look at all of our substations for an fabulous opportunity to work with people that
environmental assessment of any type of PCB are intriguing and whose disciplines are very
Photo: Shutterstock

damage that might occur due to a storm or different than yours.

another type of unfortunate event. Our job was
to go out and look at the substation area and You might need to sit down with a lawyer
do what we called a wetlands assessment or an to talk about a particular issue, whether it is
assessment of any protected areas. I think that an environmental issue, a right of way issue,
Transformer Technology June 2021 59

Issue 13
60 SECRETS
OF SUCCESS

think they would be very pleased if they would

consider a career in the power industry.

AR Rachel mentioned one of the

things that I believe may be unique
to Women in Power Systems. Mary, you
have master’s degrees in engineering and
business, a doctorate from the Weatherhead
School of Management at Case Western
Reserve University, and you are a licensed
professional engineer. What you have is the
holistic approach that we are trying to bring
with Women in Power Systems. And you are
probably one of our most classic models. You
are in management and you have a different
perspective from different areas. There should
be more women at your level in the industry.
You bring so much more wealth of knowledge
than just engineering. And that exemplifies that,
at Women in Power Systems, we want to profile
different professions and showcase different
backgrounds and perspectives.

Is your career in the power industry one that

or a contract issue; sit down with someone
you would consider to be fruitful and one that
from accounting to talk about impacts of this
you would say has been something that you
particular rate on this customer's growth, or
would consider to be remarkably positive in
talk to a customer focused to understand where
your life?
customers are really projecting their business
to be in the next three to five years. It is a very
unique setting. And what I love about it is that
the future is really yet to be defined. We know
I think the future in
we will have electric and gas utility, but there the power industry
are so many new developments in terms of
technology, innovation, environmental and is bright and I am
clean economy that if people are interested in
really sitting down and asking themselves the
looking forward to it
big questions about what the future holds, I with anticipation.

MR I think it has been extremely fruitful,

it has been positive, but also very
challenging at times. As much as somebody
like myself likes to plan things out, there will
always be a situation where you think you have
everything that you need and that you have
answered all the weirdest questions. And then
there will be a surprise, a question. If you turn
the corner, there is just something that you had
not thought of. I find that to be just absolutely
invigorating. I think the future is bright and I am
looking forward to it with anticipation.

RL That is wonderful, Mary. I am excited

to have you as one of the women of
power systems. Thank you so much for sharing
about your life, your career and what you have
been able to accomplish, and for being an
encouragement for women in power systems. It
Photo: Shutterstock

has been a pleasure to speak with you.

MR Thank you so much. The pleasure is

mine. I am very happy to be part of this.
Transformer Technology CHARTER June 2021 61

Issue 13 SPONSORS

Women have helped

build and strengthen our
organization for decades.

Ergon is proud be a charter sponsor of Women in Power Systems and to celebrate the
achievements of the many women who are part of the Ergon family around the world.
You have helped build and strengthen our organization for decades, serving in critical
roles in science, technology, engineering, product stewardship, customer service,
transportation, safety and more.

We honor your innovation and leadership throughout Ergon and your

contributions to the quality, reliable products, and services we provide to the
dielectric fluids industry.
 62

Senior Training Advisor and Adjunct

Interview with Traci N. Hopkins Instructor at SDMyers
PROFESSION
PASSION FOR

Traci
 Transformer Technology June 2021 63

Issue 13

N. Hopkins

There are so many

comparisons between
household management
and managing the
electric power system.
Sometimes people don’t
recognize the creativity
involved in both.

I O N
A S S N
P FOR
S I O
F E S
PR O
Photo: Traci N. Hopkins
64 PASSION FOR
PROFESSION

In this interview, we spoke with a remarkable woman, Traci Nadine Hopkins,

affectionately known as Tracita, who transitioned through several roles
within one company, from the Training & Education Sales department,
through the role of Diagnostic Analytic Coordinator for the international
market, and then back to Training & Education advancing in her responsi-
bilities, capabilities and expertise. Traci is a Valued IEEE Member, Member
of the Association of Asset Management Professionals, an active member
of WIRAM (Women in Reliability and Asset Management), an active mem-
ber of Diversity and Reliability Consortium for Asset Management and a
member of [Link].

Traci Hopkins: I had a colleague who worked

at SDMyers and we had worked together
previously. About two months after leaving
that company, she called me and asked me if
I still spoke Spanish. She said that the training
department, which is where she was, needed a
person that speaks Spanish. I applied and, nine
years later, I am still speaking Spanish. (laughs). I
am still with the same company, but that is how
I got into power systems.

RL Did it take a while for you to

understand transformers?

TH It did. It took me probably a good year

to really get into it. My first six months
were with the training department, and those
were probably some of the most intimidating
times of my life. I was mortified that I was
speaking to engineers, electricians – technical
professionals. I studied language, not electric
power systems. Then I transferred over to the
testing department. That is where I really got a
lot of the knowledge and started to pick it up. It
became more familiar and it started to become
Rachel Linke: I am delighted to talk to a long- more natural.
time colleague of mine. As an international
instructor, a certified reliability leader (CRL),
and a member of Women in Reliability and
Asset Management (WIRAM), she has a wealth
RL What was it about the power systems
that you found intriguing enough to
continue your career there?
of knowledge. Traci, I know that, much like
Photo: Traci N. Hopkins

mine, your career did not start out in the power

industry. I would like to know your story. How
did you end up getting involved in the power
TH Everything. Until you work in the
power industry, you don't think about
how integral it is in everyday life. Before, I would
industry? just flick the lights on or plug my phone in and
Transformer Technology June 2021 65

Issue 13

expect it to happen. Being on the inside changes Another challenge that we have is the “old
how you look at it and makes you see how school” generation who think that you treat
essential it is. every transformer the same way. You don’t, but
when you are teaching that to the new people,
you have to incorporate some of that old school
Within my organization, I was knowledge, too.
the first woman to go through
the certified reliability leader RL Yes, the younger generation seems to
be looking at things differently. They
(CRL) course. I was in a class of are used to getting information instantaneously
and being able to go forward, whereas the older
about 40 people and less than generation has been able to learn and grow
10% were female. over time. Are there people that you have seen
through training that didn't start off in the
electrical engineering space, but somehow are

RL You are the senior training education

adviser for SDMyers Electric Power
now in charge of electrical equipment?

IQ. What has that been like as far as training

goes? What changes are you seeing within the
industry? I am sure you do a lot in generational
TH I have met a few people who had
been in administration and then got
thrown into managing that electrical system
change. Can you tell us about that experience as well. A lot of people tell us they were put
on your journey? in their position because they had managerial
experience. My case is similar, I got my job

TH I am really focusing on the

generational shift. We have two groups
of people that grew up in different times, who
because I could speak another language, so I
can relate to them.

had a different way of learning. They each have

their own unique strengths and weaknesses. It is a male-dominated industry
COVID really brought this around for us, and
we had to be able to marry those. Take the
and, in order to fit in or to be
“boomer” generation, for example. They are taken seriously, you have to be
the ones who are starting to retire, leaving the
business. But there are no people who want to
one of the guys, which has been
replace them in power systems. Young people challenging. But that is also a
are going into computer science now. It was a
struggle to find the people who will replace the
generational thing, and we are
older generation. moving out of that.
The second part of the struggle is that
maintenance and management of substation
components are not taught. If we talk about
RL That adds a whole new level
of complexity to what you are
trying to do. We mentioned that you are a
transformers specifically, which is my certified reliability leader (CRL). Some of the
specialty with the Electric Power IQ, no one organizations you are involved with, such as
teaches about what tests you should be doing, SDMyers, are focused on maintenance, but how
how to interpret these tests and what type did you get interested in reliability?
of maintenance is required when you get
certain results. They are teaching you what a
transformer is and what it does. So you need to
find people who either know about that or are
TH For me, it was actually watching
Alan Ross. He has such a passion for
reliability and for spreading the word about it.
willing to learn about it. When I watch him interact with some of what
we call our reliability accounts and watching a
On one side, you have the “boomer” generation couple of my colleagues who had already gone
that went to class, wrote everything down and through the CRL process, that intrigued me,
used flash cards, and I am one of them. On the this new way of looking at the same thing. At
other side, you have the “millennial” generation, one point Alan approached me and offered me
the majority of whom attended some sort of to do this training. It worked out, and I went
online class or got their degree online. Blending through the CRL class.
the types of learning between the two can be a
challenge. COVID moved us into the direction of
online learning. That has helped bring in a new
wave of people to replace the older generation
RL I believe you are one of the few women,
within your organization and wider,
to go through that course. There aren’t many
that is retiring. It really is a mass exodus. women who are CRLs, is that correct?
66 PASSION FOR
PROFESSION

TH There really weren’t. I was in a class

of about 40 and less than 10% were
female. Within my organization, I was the first
it, and the same thing can be said even in
the electric power system. People depend on you
to make sure that the bills are paid so you can get
woman to go through that class. It is a nice your testing done.
honor to hold, definitely.

RL That connected you with another

organization, called WIRAM. How does
RL Do you think these similarities help
women find a good work-life balance?
As a woman in the power industry, for me, the
that connect with what you do? Tell me how biggest challenge is managing between my work
WIRAM has played a role in what you are doing life and my home life as a mom of three. I think
and then where you see potential growth or there is a different struggle that women deal
opportunities. with as opposed to men. What does the work-life
balance look like for you?

TH WIRAM is Women in Reliability

and Asset Management. It is an
organization that helps to empower women TH For me, there is definitely a balance.
It has changed for me in the last year
who work in those fields, and there are not and a half as both of my boys have left and
very many women that do. You see more and graduated and they are in the Marine Corps now.
more every day, I see more in our classes. But But when they were young, I had to find that
that group creates an awareness and helps work-life balance. Working in an industry such
women to work through some of the unique as the electric power system has its own set of
struggles that they have in that field. stressors and you have to be able to leave those
stressors at work, not take them home with you.

RL I would like to hear more about that. I Managing a household and having a family comes
think women have tried to play the with another set of stressors. And there are times
role of men in the industry, to be like men when they are going to overlap. The organizations
instead of taking their unique talents and that you work with should recognize that the
abilities and applying that to their job. Tell me importance of your role within that organization is
about some of the challenges and struggles that equal to the importance of your role in the family
you have seen women go through. and allow you to let them overlap occasionally –
bring work home, work odd hours. I have had to
take my kids to the office with me before.
The organizations that you work
with should recognize that the That is the biggest challenge and the most
common thing I hear from women, getting that
importance of your role within work-life balance in a high stress situation. I think

that organization is equal to the organizations like WIRAM help women figure
out how to do that. Companies like Good Place
importance of your role in the Holdings help the women in the organization

family and allow you to let them have a better balance, as do initiatives like
Women in Power Systems.
overlap occasionally.
To have women consider
TH It is a male-dominated industry and, in
order to fit in or to be taken seriously,
you have to be one of the guys. Walking in
power industry as a career, it is
wearing heels and a skirt isn’t going to garner you important to encourage women’s
the same respect as walking in in your suit. That
has been a challenge. Again, that is a generational
curiosity at a younger age.
thing, and you see we are moving out of that,
which is great. I love to see the progress. The
biggest challenge is getting that respect and being
looked at as a subject matter expert.
RL I think there are certain things that
women just have a different take on.
For me, it is problem solving. You mentioned
that, across the board, people are just not
The second challenge is the perception of women getting involved in the power industry, that
who have taken on more of the household roles there is a need for engineers. I think women can
as opposed to women who work, in areas such as play a unique role in the power industry. How
reliability and asset management. If you break do you think we could encourage women to
it down to the core, it is very similar to running consider the power industry as a career?
a home. You have people who depend on you to
make sure that the bills are paid and that they
have clean socks. That is the reliability aspect of TH It has to start at the kindergarten
level. Kids are exposed to
 Transformer Technology June 2021 67

Issue 13
Photo: Shutterstock
68 PASSION FOR
PROFESSION

engineering experiments all the time, whether probably the first part – bringing awareness, but
it is a chemical experiment, the egg drop, also emphasizing that women are a great fit for
construction and mechanical, etc. We should that industry.
get kids excited about STEM, foster that
and not discourage them if they mess up I am especially intrigued by your role as an
an experiment. It is also up to companies to international instructor. What was that like,
step out into the local schools, approach the culturally and from the perspective of being a
principals and superintendents and say, We woman and an international expert?
really think it would benefit the community
for kids to learn about what some of their
parents do throughout the day. TH Let me put a disclaimer on these
observations, they are solely based
on my experience. The first time I went
As far as women go, they should not be overseas to teach a class was in Chile. To my
discouraged and told things like, Maybe you surprise, there was actually a woman in the
should be a nurse or maybe you should go into class. In every international class I have done,
teaching. Those are very respectable careers, I there has been at least one woman in the class.
was a teacher for a while. But it is important to In comparison, I don't see that every time in
encourage women’s curiosity. the States. That stood out to me and I thought,
Rock on!

Recognizing the role that women The first time I taught an inter-
have both in and out of the of national class, I was nervous.
the home is only going to bring But I had men and women come
more to light how important our up to me and say it is great to
contributions are across the see a woman doing this class.
board when it comes to reliability And I thought, I am making a
and asset management because difference. I am influencing and
we have a different way of encouraging other women, and
looking at it than men. men as well!

RL I agree, if you were to tell me I would

have been in the power industry
12 years ago, I would have laughed at you.
The first time I taught was a portion of our
inspection and sampling class. I was nervous and
But I think people are just not even aware of the worried I was going to use the wrong word in the
possibilities of what is out there. I think that is wrong context. But I found there was so much
encouragement. I have had men and women
come up to me and say it is great to see a woman
doing this class, teaching this information.

Yes, your chest puffs out. And then you think,

I am making a difference. I am influencing and
encouraging other women, and men as well, to
support and grow our community of women.

RL I am really glad that that was your

experience, that is exactly what we are
trying to bring to the forefront with Women in
Power Systems. Even in organizations that don’t
have many women, we noticed a growing change.
People have daughters and would love for them
to be encouraged if they decide to become
engineers. Inspire, encourage and advocate has
been our mantra. And throughout my careers,
I have seen that it is definitely needed for
Photo: Traci N. Hopkins

women in this industry. Traci, thank you so much

for joining me. You inspire me and encourage me,
thank you for being a leader in that way. I cannot
wait to see where you go from here.
Transformer Technology CHARTER June 2021 69

Issue 13 SPONSORS

We believe that Women

in Power Systems is a
stepping stone to a world
where cooperation and
mutual support between
women and men are a
natural part of every
company’s culture.

At Camlin Energy we are committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse working
environment that sparks creativity and gives everyone a greater sense of belonging.
We have already embarked on an ambitious programme to continue to improve on
this and we are excited to attract a diverse workforce where everyone feels part of
the Camlin family.

We are a company that wants to see young women can choose a career in the
power systems freely and with full support. We believe that Women in Power
Systems is a stepping stone to a world where cooperation and mutual support
between women and men are a natural part of every company’s culture.
 COMING
IN SUMMER

Monitoring
& Diagnostics
How to Maximize
Reliability
As an electrical reliability professional, one of my
greatest joys is the joy of seeing positive change.

One of the positive changes I see is the dramatic shift

to online monitoring and digitalization of diagnostics.
Recently I met with several engineers who specify and
manufacture transformers and one of the things they
were most excited about was the way OEMs can help
their customers through the addition of monitoring
and diagnostics.

Bushing monitors, dissolved gas analysis (DGA)

monitors, partial discharge (PD) monitors,
temperature and moisture monitors - these are
becoming standard within the industry.

Why does it get my reliability blood flowing? Because

all reliability of an asset begins at design.

Including monitoring and diagnostics into the design

phase means that the next two phases within the
reliability process, Operations and Maintenance, are
now better set up to keep equipment operating and to
maintain that equipment over time.

Monitoring, digitalization and new methods for

diagnostics are the new future.

In our July/August Issue, we will feature these positive

changes through articles and interviews with leading
professionals in the transformer world.

If you would like to be considered for publication as an

expert or practitioner, please contact me.

Alan Ross
Community Moderator and Editor in Chief