ASET Technology Alberta Spring 2021 - 27

election

FOR COUNCILLOR

Susan Chesa
C.E.T., PMP, MTM

Susan Chesa was born and raised in Kenya. As a teenager,
she took an interest in math and sciences. This passion drove
her towards a career in engineering. She graduated with a
bachelor's degree (hons) in electrical and electronics engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and
Technology in 2010. She next took up a role as a solar sales
engineer at Davis & Shirtliff Group, a leader in water and energy solutions in East Africa. There she helped clients and
businesses transition to renewable energy systems.
In 2012 she moved to Canada and became a technical support specialist at Shaw Communications. In 2013, she joined
Rotaflow Controls, an engineering, procurement, construction
and maintenance company based out of Edmonton. At Rotaflow, Susan worked on multiple projects supporting the oil and
gas industry, with a specific focus on industrial utilities. While
at Rotaflow she became a member of ASET and obtained her
C.E.T. designation.

One of Susan's goals if elected as Councillor is to continue to
raise ASET's profile by highlighting membership benefits to
different areas where the association's visibility is low, such
as in immigrant groups and communities.
She would also like to work with all stakeholders to make
available to members programs and tools that will strengthen
their professional development endeavours.
In her career coach role, Susan has noticed a migration of
highly skilled science and technology professionals from Alberta to other provinces or overseas, as a result of economic
conditions and the pandemic.
" I would encourage ASET to create programs that can help its
members adapt to current industry changes, with a focus on
embracing and taking advantage of the evolving technology
sector in Alberta, " Susan says.

Following her time in engineering consulting, Susan took up
an opportunity in the non-profit sector as a career coach
at Bredin Centre for Career Advancement (formerly Bredin
Centre for Learning). At Bredin, she supports a client base of
internationally trained professionals in the technology fields.
These professionals come from engineering, geoscience and
architecture backgrounds. Susan assists them in their efforts
to integrate into the Canadian workspace, get their credentials evaluated and apply for certification and licensure with
ASET, APEGA, the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA)
and more.

" This can be accomplished by, among other things, providing industry information sessions on emerging technologies,
holding forums where companies in growing technology
areas provide information, and creating platforms and programs where ASET members can obtain internships, practicums, job shadowing, and other opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in these developing technology areas. "

In 2019, Susan graduated with a master's degree in technology management from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She also holds a certificate in project management from
NAIT, and is a member of the Project Management Institute
where she obtained her Project Management Professional
(PMP) designation in 2016.

Susan believes in work-life balance, and enjoys travelling and
camping in the summers with her husband and three kids.
She is currently learning how to ski so she can enjoy the outdoors more in the winter.

Finally, she would like to see more mentorship opportunities
available to new members, and would work with other stakeholders to promote the mentorship program.

TECHNOLOGY ALBERTA | SPRING 2021 | 27

ASET Technology Alberta Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASET Technology Alberta Spring 2021