To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re honouring some of the exceptional women who excel in their field, advance their industries, give back to their communities, and inspire others. 

1. Rebecca Nicolle

A co-op opportunity at New Brunswick Southern Railway in Grade 12 opened Rebecca Nicolle’s mind to a career in trades (link to video). “I loved my 14-week co-op here. It’s really the best thing I’ve done because it set me on the path of skilled trades. The company paid for my education and all my textbooks at NBCC Saint Andrews. I just graduated last spring and started full-time right away.”

Rebecca encourages young people, especially girls, to give trades in transportation a chance. “There is more opportunity than you think. You can have more than a job. You can have a career, while still being home for the special, and the ordinary, family occasions.”

2. Jane McTague

While studying business at St. Francis Xavier University, Jane McTague participated in a JDI Case Competition. Jane says that being a part of the case competition gave her an advantage when applying for a role with the Supply Chain team at JDI.

“When a Supply Chain opportunity came up, I was hired because of my Direct Exchange Case Competition experience,” McTague said. “Being a confident speaker is a valuable asset in business; your research and analysis are very important, but how you present that information and build trust with senior colleagues is huge.”

3. Kim Powell

Kim Powell, Production Planner for Irving Paper, was recognized by the City of Saint John as an outstanding volunteer. Kim was nominated by Jennifer Walsh, Second Grade Teacher at Prince Charles School. As part of the PALS (Partners Assisting Local Schools) program, Kim has been reading to Jennifer’s students at Prince Charles School every Friday afternoon for the past 14 years.
 
Each week she spends half of her lunch-hour reading books to the students, chosen by the “Star-of-the-Day.” When Kim is finished, together she and the children will count the number of books that have been read; often between seven and nine books. Altogether, Kim has spent over 500 hours volunteering with the PALS program. 

4. Kathy Stull

Starting out her career in healthcare as a nurse, Kathy Stull decided to make a big career change in her thirties, going back to New Brunswick Community College to become a Power Engineer. Kathy landed a job with Irving Paper. See Kathy’s story here. 

5. Elizabeth Jarvie

Elizabeth Jarvie, GIS Programmer Analyst with JDI’s Information Technology Division was part of a team of eight women who raised $90,000 and built a new home in Spryfield, Nova Scotia through Habitat for Humanity. 

6. Danielle Dorris 

She’s broken Provincial and National swim records, she’s competed at the Rio Paralympics, and she’s only fourteen years old.

Danielle Dorris of Moncton was born with only a portion of her arms and competes in the 100-m butterfly, 200-m individual medley, and 100-m backstroke.

When Danielle attended the Olympic & Para-swimming Trials in Toronto in spring 2016, her parents and coach expected it to be a learning experience.

Danielle earned a spot on the team as Canada’s youngest Paralympic swimmer, ever. The qualification came weeks before the Rio Olympics and Danielle’s family needed sponsorship support to help with the cost of travel. J.D. Irving, Limited stepped up to help. Danielle says she’s glad to have sport in her life. She encourages everyone to be active, even if it’s not through competitive sport. “So many kids go home and spend the evenings on their phone. It’s good to have a sport. It clears my head. I’m not focused on what’s happened. Just what’s in front of me.”

7. Jenna Hazelton 

Jenna Hazelton of Truro, Nova Scotia attended the Dalhousie Agricultural College before pursuing chemical engineering at Dalhousie University. Now Jenna has earned a seat as one of 28 J.D. Irving, Limited employees in the JDI Ivey Executive Masters of Business Administration program. 

“I’m looking forward to taking this opportunity to develop my leadership skills,” said Jenna, Process Engineer at Irving Paper. “I’m relatively new in my career; I’ve been with JDI for five years. My drive and commitment to learning hasn’t gone unnoticed. It means so much to me to have the company invest in my future.”

8. Emmanuella N'Taho

Emmanuella was a student at a Université de Moncton Career Fair. She had the confidence to strike up a conversation with a JDI Recruiter and it lead to her dream job. From the Ivory Coast, Emmanuella has made Moncton, New Brunswick her home. 

9. Pat Harknett

Pat Harknett, Midland’s Vice President of Human Resources was recognized at the Atlantic gala for Women in Transportation as 2016 Woman of the Year.
 
“I love to enable women to see trucking as a career avenue,” said Pat Harknett. “My career in transportation has given me so many opportunities to learn and grow, while presenting exciting challenges. I believe growing the number of women in transportation will help grow and evolve the industry.”

10. Brittany Cunningham

Brittany Cunningham, a Credit Associate for JDI, has volunteered as an in-school mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters through the PALS program for the past year. “I love being a mentor. I know it’s special for kids to have another person they can go to for support. It’s great to see the organization I work for donate to a group that has such a positive impact on Saint John kids.”