Imperial partnering with Jacquie B to help share her story and inspire people young and old to follow their dreams
The Edmonton Airshow is thrilled to announce a partnership between Imperial Oil Strathcona Refinery and one of our 2019 performers, Jacquie B. During this year’s Airshow week, August 12 to 18, Jacquie B will visit the refinery and share her inspirational story at a Women’s Interest Network (WIN) event, as well as speak with students at a local community library.
A returning Airshow act, Jacquie B inspires women and the young at heart to pursue their goals. Most people dream of retiring when they turn 50, but not Jacquie B. Instead, she launched her solo aerobatic career and has been thrilling airshow audiences ever since. She is also a veteran of the Reno Air Races (an event we hope to partner with in 2020). Her website is jacquiebairshows.com.
Two years ago, Imperial’s Stefanie Pepin and Lisa Atkins helped start their local WIN network at Strathcona Refinery to facilitate professional growth, personal development and support advancement of women at Imperial Oil, from trades to senior management. Now co-chairs of WIN, Stefanie and Lisa have been instrumental in helping grow membership and providing opportunities for employees to hear and learn from motivational people like Jacquie B.
“Despite the lower number of female employees (17 per cent of 500 total employees), we’ve had great success with both women and men attending our events,” explains Stefanie. “I’m extremely proud of the work our Edmonton WIN has done and continue to be impressed by the passion and ideas our members have for our initiatives, as well as the strong support and interest from site employees. Jacquie B and her story will be a big hit.”
“I couldn’t be more pleased with this partnership,” says Airshow CEO Richard Skermer. “Our goal is to promote careers in aviation to all regardless of backgrounds. The expansion of the aviation industry in Edmonton and Canada will depend on getting strong, confident people from all walks of life. Jacquie B, Stefanie, Lisa and the Edmonton Imperial Oil WIN members are great examples of drive and determination delivering excellent results!”