EmpowHER

Dr. Jocelyn Peltier‑Huntley, P.Eng., founder of Prairie Catalyst Consulting, joins ItsKayToBeKaren for a powerful conversation about reshaping engineering culture from the inside out. With a background in mining engineering, years of industry experience, and a deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, Jocelyn shares how her career evolved from solving technical problems to tackling systemic ones. She opens up about the realities women face in male‑dominated fields, the gaps she saw that pushed her to start Prairie Catalyst, and the practical, evidence‑based strategies she uses to help organizations build safer, more inclusive workplaces. Grounded, insightful, and refreshingly honest, Jocelyn offers a roadmap for what engineering can look like when we lead with both competence and compassion.

Professor Donna Beneteau is a respected educator and mining engineering professional whose work has shaped both the academic and industry landscapes in Saskatchewan. With years of experience in mine design, operations, and safety, she has dedicated her career to teaching, mentoring, and preparing the next generation of engineers for the realities of the mining sector. In our conversation, we explored her journey into mining, her passion for hands‑on education, and the lessons she’s learned from working closely with students and industry partners.Throughout our discussion, we also talked about the importance of practical experience, the evolving nature of mining engineering, and how mentorship and community can influence a student’s confidence and career direction. Her commitment to creating supportive learning environments and bridging the gap between classroom theory and real‑world application truly stands out.Thank you, Professor Beneteau, for sharing your story, your expertise, and your impact as an educator. It was an honour to learn from you, and I hope to see your influence continue shaping future engineers.

Jeanie Wills is a passionate advocate for leadership through communication, emphasizing the transformative power of women’s voices in shaping meaningful change. In our conversation, she shares insights from her journey navigating spaces where confidence, clarity, and authenticity are essential to being heard. Jeanie reflects on the importance of rhetoric not just as a skill, but as a tool for empowerment, and how women can use their voices to lead with purpose and influence.Throughout the discussion, we explore themes around leadership development, building confidence in professional environments, and the subtle yet powerful ways women can support and uplift one another. Jeanie highlights the value of intentional communication and the role it plays in driving both personal and collective growth.Thank you, Jeanie, for taking the time to be a part of the EmpowHER podcast. It was truly inspiring to share this conversation with you and learn from your experiences.

Jayme Mitchell is a Data Scientist and works on several impactful projects revolving around Computer Vision. Through our conversation, she has shared some of the early challenges that she has faced in her early life. Despite this, she is very grateful for her career pathway and the growth that she has so far. She credits her coworkers, family, and friends for being a supportive pillar to her development. With our discussions, we touched on a few important topics around advocating for women in the mining industry, and things that we could do as women to step up for them. Thank you, Jayme, for taking your precious time to be a part of the EmpowHER podcast. It was a pleasure having to share the same space with you.