Women of NSCC: Shaping the future of Nova Scotia and beyond

“Growing up in a small town in Nova Scotia, I thought my career options were limited and I didn’t want to spend thousands of dollars at university to figure it out. I enrolled at NSCC for a year, and Plumbing happened to be one of the programs with seats available. I told myself that even if it wasn’t the perfect fit, I’d walk away with practical life skills. It didn’t take long before I realized how much I loved the hands‑on work, the problem‑solving and the creativity that plumbing allowed.

In those early years, I was often the only woman on construction sites. I was fortunate to have supportive male mentors, but it wasn’t until I became a journeyperson and mentored my first female apprentice that I truly understood the power of representation. Watching her earn her Red Seal remains one of my proudest moments – a reminder that leadership isn’t just about the work you do, but the doors you help open for others.

When I transitioned into teaching at NSCC, I was the only woman faculty in my area. Even in classrooms without female students, I still felt I was making an impact – showing the male students what a successful woman in the trades looks like and helping normalize something they would see more of in the future. Through programs like Women Unlimited, Techsploration, and Skills Canada, I’ve seen firsthand how one conversation or one role model can change the direction of a young woman’s life. I’ve watched students walk into events unsure of themselves and leave knowing they can do anything.

Being a tradesperson has given me independence, confidence and a creative outlet I never expected. Whether I’m renovating my home or helping a customer bring their vision to life, I feel capable of building and shaping the world around me.

My advice to women considering the trades is simple: find something you love and go for it. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Show up, do the work, keep learning and trust that you belong in any space you’re willing to grow.”

“Growing up on my family’s dairy farm in rural Nova Scotia, I was always surrounded by trades. Farmers learn to be a bit of everything – electricians, welders, carpenters, problem‑solvers – because when something breaks, you fix it. Exploring the trades felt natural, even though starting the Electrical Technician program meant being both the youngest and the only woman to graduate from my program that year. I’ve never been someone who feels confident until I know I’m doing something perfectly, but my instructors pushed me, encouraged me and reminded me that I was capable long before I believed it myself.

Transitioning from student to apprentice has been a different kind of learning curve. School always came easy to me, but the trades require you to learn by doing – often with a lot of figuring things out on the fly. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, grow from mistakes and understand that even the most experienced tradespeople take things day by day. Each challenge has made me more adaptable, resilient and confident in my skill.

My passion for renewable energy comes from growing up in a rural area and watching farmland slowly disappear. I’ve always believed we should use the structures we already have instead of building new ones. Seeing farms in my community install solar panels feels like the perfect blend of the world I grew up in and the career I’m building – a way to be resourceful, protect the land and make renewables truly renewable.

As a woman in the trades, I’ve been lucky to have supportive teachers and a great crew who treat me fairly while still looking out for me. I was raised to believe that no job is a ‘boy’ job or a ‘girl’ job – you learn to cook and sew just as much as you learn to fix things and work in the mud. Men and women bring different perspectives, and having both makes the work stronger.

Being named a 2025 Trellis Fund recipient opened my eyes to how important it is for young people to learn about clean‑energy initiatives and the organizations supporting them. Knowledge and skills only continue when they’re shared and I’m proud to be part of that next generation.

My advice to women considering the trades is to make sure it’s truly the right fit for you. This work can be tough mentally and physically, and you need to show up, work hard and prioritize your own learning. Find a crew that supports you without holding you back, trust your instincts and don’t stay somewhere you can’t grow. Women absolutely belong in the trades. Always keep building your skills and confidence to build the career you want.”

“I grew up in Mulgrave Park, raised by my grandmother, never realizing we lived in low income. I was a teen mom at 14 and had conflict with the law, statistically I should’ve been another number. Instead, I became a multiple-award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, author, influencer and founder of one of the most impactful organizations for Black women entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada.

I’ve built national programs, trained hundreds of women, have a bi-weekly segment on CTV (Tuesdays with Tia), and earned major awards like the Top 50 CEO Award, the 25 MOST Powerful Women in Business Award and the Top 100 Black Women to Watch.

Entrepreneurship is my passion. Empowering women and supporting the Black community drives everything I do. As a young Black mom with barriers and no education, hustling was survival.

I loved my experience in NSCC’s Adult Learning Program. It helped me see my gifts beyond being a single teen mom. I never imagined that the student on welfare would return 18 years later to partner with NSCC to run the Entrepreneur in the Making Black and African Nova Scotian Cohort.

I launched my first business in 2013 after hitting my personal rock bottom. I grew it, employed 12 people and passed it to my oldest daughter after 10 years. Since then, I’ve built multiple successful businesses and founded the nonprofit Blk Women in Excellence in 2020 to help other Black women from low‑income and marginalized communities.

If you’re a woman considering starting a business, start before you feel ready — clarity and confidence come from action, not waiting.”

“I grew up in Antigonish, NS and now live in London, UK. I graduated from COGS, completing the Survey Technician ('08), Geomatics Engineering Technology ('09) and Marine Geomatics ('10) programs. The practical, hands-on training prepared me to step directly into a global career and gave me the confidence to work in a male-dominated field, anywhere in the world. 

For the past 16 years, I’ve worked as an International Hydrographer specializing in deep-water energy projects, engineering, and emerging subsea technologies. My work has taken me to remote coastal and offshore regions across North America, the UK, Europe, Norway, Turkey, Brazil and Africa.

I recently completed a 24-day ocean science and research expedition to Antarctica with an all-female STEM team from across 9 different countries. Aboard the world’s first registered Polar Class 6 vessel, we sailed from Argentina through the Falklands, South Georgia, Elephant Island, across the polar circle to the Antarctic Peninsula and then back through the Drake Passage – one of the most dangerous sea crossings in the world. As Lead Hydrographer, I managed and piloted remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations to explore historic regions of the seabed and document Antarctic ecosystems, particularly for marine mammal Ethogram studies with our Deep Trekker PIVOT ROV. Like many expeditions, we faced challenges but overcoming those obstacles as a team demonstrated the resilience, agility and technical leadership that women bring to exploration and ocean science.

Operating ROVs in Antarctica was one of the most inspiring moments of my career. Being part of a team of women deploying subsea technology at the bottom of the world and exploring ecosystems few have ever seen or recorded on video was incredibly powerful. It showed what’s possible when women are given the opportunity to lead in science, engineering and exploration.

I also mentor women worldwide through Maritime SheEO as women are still underrepresented in many marine, technical and exploration-based industries. I'm passionate about changing this by supporting and uplifting women entering STEM fields. Representation and mentorship play a vital role in shaping the future of our industry.

My advice to women entering STEM is to stay curious, speak up and trust that your voice belongs in the room. The most rewarding moments in my career have come from stepping into environments where women were rarely seen before. My hope is that more women see that careers in ocean science, subsea technology and exploration are open to them. If you’re curious about the world and willing to work hard, there is a place for you in it.”