Our final profile celebrating International Women’s Day is Janna Schrottner, President of Jepson Petroleum (Alberta) Ltd. in Calgary.

Hi, Janna! Please tell us a little bit about your role.

I’m the president of Jepson Petroleum (Alberta) Ltd. and the Petro-Canada wholesale marketer for Calgary and Southern Alberta. Our company has approximately 80 employees and a fleet of 45 trucks, with staff based in 12 locations throughout Southern Alberta. We deliver fuel and lubricants to our own customers, as well as Petro-Canada customers, and operate Petro-Canada’s Petro-Pass cardlocks in our area. In our organization I handle the major relationships with outside parties, including with the bank and Petro-Canada, and make sure that our vision, mission and overall direction as a company is clear, communicated and implemented.   As we are a small company, I also deal with safety oversight, HR matters, financial statement oversight, internal controls and pretty much anything else that comes up.

Q. What career highlights are you most proud of?

I obtained my Chartered Accountant designation in 2005. A lot of work went into both studying for the exam and articling at the CA firm and I have a huge sense of pride in that accomplishment even now, years later.

In 2016 I purchased AgCom Petroleum Sales Ltd, which was the wholesale marketer in Southern Alberta, excluding the Calgary area. I took over Jepson Petroleum (Alberta) Ltd. in 2017 when my dad retired, and I consolidated the two companies. Aligning the business processes of the companies and working to get the right team in place is still a work in progress, but we’ve made significant headway in this and it is very satisfying.

Q. How long have you been connected with Petro-Canada?

As Jepson Petroleum is a family business, I have been connected with Petro-Canada since I was a child. I started working for my dad’s company cleaning Petro-Pass washrooms as a teenager, and in the summers would work doing maintenance, delivering lubricants and acting as vacation coverage for the office staff. Between my first and second years of university I was a guest service attendant at a full service station just outside of Calgary, and mainly worked attending the pumps. After university I worked in various accounting and consulting firms but came back to Jepson Petroleum on a full time basis around 10 years ago. Petro-Canada has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Q. In your time with Petro-Canada, and from your perspective working in a traditionally male-dominated industry, what has helped you navigate the workplace and your career?

Generally I find the most difficult aspect of working in a traditionally male-dominated industry to be dealing with (mostly) unconscious biases and stereotypes, resulting in my input being dismissed or not sought after at all. If it’s something unimportant, like being mistaken as an office manager and summarily dismissed by a cable tech, my reaction is different than if I am being talked over in a meeting or not sent important information by someone who knows my position in the company. I find pointing out the mistake to be helpful; I pick my battles and I try to make sure I am present and noticed. As a woman, finding a balance between being considered a decisive leader and being considered a difficult person can be a challenge. I hope that as more women are in more senior leadership roles, this will become less of a problem.

Q. The 2020 theme for International Women’s Day is #EachforEqual – an equal world is an enabled world. What does this mean to you?

To me, #EachforEqual means that we can all contribute to a more gender equal world, and that even small changes in thoughts and actions can make a difference.

Q. From your perspective, how do you think Petro-Canada and Suncor are achieving #EachforEqual?

My experience as a woman dealing with Petro-Canada and Suncor has been positive. I have had nothing but support from all levels of the company, particularly during my takeover of AgCom, and do not feel that my gender has hindered my ability to work with Petro-Canada at all.

Q. Why do you think it’s important we work together to create a respectful and inclusive workplace? How will you support our journey?

Different people from different backgrounds bring different strengths to the workplace. I will support the journey by continuing to hire and promote women into positions that are not necessarily considered “women” positions, including drivers and site managers. In addition, I will continue questioning assumptions and biases to create opportunities for all.

Q. What two key pieces of advice would you offer women in the workplace?

One piece of advice I would offer women is that leadership doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. Leadership in business has shifted and does not necessarily mean that it always has to be a top-down approach – collaborative leadership can be very effective. Also, sometimes even being in the room can be the beginning of change. Being present and being heard can make a difference.

Q. How will you be celebrating International Women’s Day?

I have 2 children and will be watching them in a ski race on International Women’s Day.

A big “thank you” to Janna, Darlene, and Patty for taking the time to answer our questions. How are you celebrating International Women’s Day? How are you supporting women in the workplace? Leave a comment below – we’d love to hear from you!

We’re continuing our profiles of amazing women across Petro-Canada with a conversation with Patty Price, a Petro-Canada Associate at two of Ontario’s busiest Petro-Canada highway locations.

Hi, Patty! Please tell us a little bit about your role.

I am the associate for two of the Petro-Canada highway locations in Ontario. I’m self-employed, operating the gas bars, truck stops and A&W restaurants within these locations. I manage a team of 80 people who help to make these locations a success.

Q. What career highlights are you most proud of?

Oh this is a tough one. One is that I started working at such a young age. I was only 21 when I first started operating my own location on Cape Breton Island and that was a really big deal – at that point in time I was probably one of the youngest associates across the country.

When I first started out, I had one location that employed four people. Now I’m on one of Canada‘s major highways operating two large locations with 80 employees. I’m very proud of the great success I’ve managed to create within this organization.

Finally, I’m really proud of the strength of the team I’ve managed to build throughout the years. My team is a big part of what I do; they are strong, motivated people and create great success not only for me but also for Petro-Canada.

Q. How long have you been connected with Petro-Canada?

I’ve been with Petro-Canada for 20 years: three years as a cashier and 17 years as an associate.

Q. In your time with Petro-Canada, and from your perspective working in a traditionally male-dominated industry, what has helped you navigate the workplace and your career?

I believe that everybody is equal. I think that anybody who’s willing to put time, effort, motivation and leadership into something can certainly achieve greatness. During my career, I’ve been surrounded by both men and women who have been very supportive of my role and my success. That has helped to create the independence I’ve had and has enabled me to achieve many of my goals.

Q. The 2020 theme for International Women’s Day is #EachforEqual – an equal world is an enabled world. From your perspective, how do you think Petro-Canada and Suncor are achieving #EachforEqual?

Petro-Canada does a great job in supporting all of their associates and helping them to achieve their goals. Within the Petro-Canada network you see many women in leadership roles – that’s great motivation for everybody, not only Associates but all Canadians.

Q. Why do you think it’s important we work together to create a respectful and inclusive workplace? How will you support our journey?

To achieve success, it’s important that everybody in the workplace supports each other. If we enable our people to do the best that they can do and support the decisions that they make, we will help them to achieve the goals that they most desire. I really encourage all of my team to think about setting and achieving their goals so they can become stronger, more motivated team members.

Q. What advice would you offer women in the workplace?

Believe in yourself. Think about what you want to do and where you see yourself, both short term and long term, and strive for that.

Q. How will you be celebrating International Women’s Day?

I will be spending my time with other women who are strong individuals, share similar goals and inspire me to be a better person – supporting each other so that we can achieve great things.

Thank you, Patty, for taking the time to speak with us.

Our final profile for International Women’s Day is Janna Schrottner, the President of Jepson Petroleum (Alberta) Ltd. in Calgary. And if you missed our conversation with Darlene from Mastrangelo Fuels in Thunder Bay, make sure you check it out.

International Women’s Day, March 8, is a celebration of the achievements and contributions of women and an opportunity to continue the conversation about supporting gender equity and inclusion. Recognizing and addressing barriers – including cultural, generational and gender biases – will help us create a better world and a great place to work for everyone. Today on PumpTalk, we’re profiling a few women across the Petro-Canada family to learn about their roles, their commitment to gender balance, and how they are supporting a respectful and inclusive workplace.

First up is Darlene Mastrangelo from Mastrangelo Fuels in Thunder Bay/Dryden.

Q. Hi, Darlene! Please tell us a little bit about your role.

My positions within the company vary as I do relief work for all positions. My passion is Head of Health and Safety and Customer service.

Q. What career highlights are you most proud of?

When my husband and myself decided to purchase Mastrangelo Fuels (Petro-Canada) in 2006, I returned to school at the age of 41 and completed 3 years of Business Administration / Accounting - graduating head of the class.

With the help of our Wholesale Business Manager and an amazing staff, we implemented the

Petro-Canada Prudent Operations program. With a lot of hard work and co-operation, we have received two consecutive audit scores of 99.6%. We continue to strive for a safe working environment for all our employees and customers.

Q. How long have you been connected with Petro-Canada? 

I have been fortunate enough to be part of the Petro-Canada family for 30 years when I met my husband who was a gas attendant. We purchased our first division (Wholesale) in 2006 and our second division in 2018.

Q. In your time with Petro-Canada, and from your perspective working in a traditionally male-dominated industry, what has helped you navigate the workplace and your career? 

Hmm - navigate my career... Hard work, great listening skills, the willingness to learn, to admit my mistakes and respect our team. I ask questions and stand up for what I believe. 

Q. The 2020 theme for International Women’s Day is #EachforEqual – an equal world is an enabled world. What does this mean to you?

My thoughts on EachforEqual: A workplace where having mutual respect for both genders, learning from all strengths and weaknesses, working together in fair, respected positions together = happiness and success. While progress has been made; there is still a long way to go.

Q. From your perspective, how do you think Petro-Canada and Suncor are achieving #EachforEqual? 

I think EachforEqual is an ongoing exercise. Petro-Canada and Suncor have no wage differential and I have noticed there are more women holding senior positions today then say 10 years ago – actually more women in all positions. Improvement – yes. Room for improvement – always.

Q. Why do you think it’s important we work together to create a respectful and inclusive workplace? How will you support our journey?  

Respectful and inclusive workplaces makes for happy, more productive employees and workspaces. I will "live what I believe". Equality, respect, hard work and team work = Success.

Q. What two key pieces of advice would you offer women in the workplace? 

Be true to yourself, work hard, and don't give up. To be respected you must also give respect (the old saying...respect is a two way street)

Q. How will you be celebrating International Women’s Day? 

I will be celebrating International Women's Day on Monday (as the 8th is a Sunday) at work with women and men that I admire and respect. I may even brighten up our offices with flower reminders that women are an important part of the Mastrangelo Fuels team.

Thanks, Darlene … we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!

Our next profile is of Patty Price, a Petro-Canada Associate at two of the busiest Petro-Canada highway locations in Ontario.