Who is the Wizard Behind This Curtain?

The Power of Mentoring

 

My daughter gave me tickets to the Wizard of Oz for Christmas; we truly enjoyed the show, little did I realize that I would soon experience a real life Wiz.

I was privileged to be invited to speak to the emPOWERed Women’s Forum, to witness the 9^th graduation of 31 new emPOWERed women.

The event was held at the head office of OPG, Ontario Power Generation on University Avenue.

I listened as the valedictorians shared their experience. They talked about learning to speak up and speak out, to finding their “inner leader” and to recognizing that they now had an “empower spirit”.  I saw a group of dynamic women encouraging each other and applauding their fellow grads.

While there was no “yellow brick road” at OPG, there was indeed a Wizard behind the curtain. I didn’t see Scarecrow, Tin Man or the Cowardly Lion, what I did see were women who were no longer afraid, who have become inspired, and have learned to use their talents with more measurable results.

Does the learning they have done over a 3 month period, give them the courage needed to succeed? Have they found new heart within themselves? Are they using their intellect more effectively? Absolutely!

How did it happen? If we think about the Wizard of Oz – Dorothy was unhappy, she felt that she didn’t fit in, that she was just another cog in the wheel. It wasn’t until she found herself in Oz that she realized that with the help of her new found friends, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, she would find out that “there is no place like home!”

While Colleen Sidford, didn’t meet Dorothy, she did recognize that the women at OPG were looking for something especially for them. As Vice President – Chief Investment Officer she became the Wizard behind this curtain and developed an extensive 3 month program, called the EmPOWERed Women Mentoring Program. This gave them the opportunity to follow their heart, to be courageous and make better use of their brains. This is a program that has helped 571 women become “empowered”.

I quickly learned that OPG embraces diversity in its broadest sense – making it an integral part of their business practice. OPG provides opportunities for all employees to broaden their horizons, to expand their interests and increase their capabilities. Sounds like more words from the Wizard! This time it’s from Tom Mitchell, President and Chief Executive Officer, he encourages his employees to “Aim High, to Diversify and to Take Some Risks” He says, “My job is to set the stage; yours is to have the confidence to ‘take the stage’.”

While there is no yellow brick road at OPG, there is plenty of opportunity – you just need to reach out, get involved and use your skills!

Take heart, be brave and use your brains; you might find out “there is no place like home at OPG!” www.opg.com

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EmPOWERed Women

EmPOWERed Women 

 According to the dictionary – the word “empowered” means - to promote self-actualization, to influence and to inspire. 

There is no doubt in my mind that Ontario Power Generation’s initiative EmPOWERed Women is doing exactly what the dictionary identifies.

I was fortunate to be a keynote speaker at the graduation for women at OPG who were divided into 5 groups identified as Alpha, Beta, Delta, Charlie and Echo. While it might sound like “pilot” talk – and these women were definitely flying high – it is how people in the energy world communicate.

 The day began with a welcome from Colleen Sidford, CIO, Chief Investment Officer, Vice President and Treasurer at OPG. She is also the founder and champion for EmPOWERed Women.

OPG is the province’s publicly owned and largest electricity generator. The EmPOWERed Women program was founded in 2008 to help women across the company maximize their individual and organization potential. It is a leadership development and mentoring program, that really works, and that is speaking from my personal experience at the graduation!

EmPOWERed Women was created to demonstrate a commitment to gender diversity and the advancement of women to encourage and prepare them for leadership.

4 key values are fulfilled within this program:

• Increased career opportunities
• Commitment to gender diversity and equality
• Heightened engagement among all women
• Leveraged leadership capabilities of women

The program is open to all female OPG employees and requires a ½ day commitment each month for 4 months.  There are classes in leadership, networking, career development and mentoring.  Participants graduate with increased poise, grace and confidence, both in their speech and in their demeanor.

For the graduation ceremony, all Managers of program participants as well as the President and CEO Tom Mitchell, attend.

I sat in the front row after delivering my speech and I listened as the Valedictorian for each group from Alpha to Echo shared their experience as a participant in EmPOWERed Women.  They were inspiring, and will be a positive influence on all women within the OPG family.

CEO, Tom Mitchell encouraged all graduates to “Aim High, Diversity and Take Risks.’’ He set the stage by giving his support to the program, now, he stated, it was their turn to have the confidence to “take the stage” and share their experience.

Since OPG is owned by the province, it’s possible that the EmPOWERed Women program can be implemented in other corporations within the Ontario Government.

I was incredibly proud to be part of the celebration and to see and hear just how much each woman was emPOWERed.  I offer my congratulations to all – it made me want to join the OPG family!

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