Alectra’s Shelley Parker Receives ‘Excellence in Trades’ Award at Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Awards
December 12, 2023
Alectra is pleased to announce that Shelley Parker, Vice President of Metering, Alectra Utilities, has been honoured with the “Excellence in Trades” award at the Women in Business Awards (WIBA) held in Niagara Falls.
“Shelley is a truly deserving individual whose remarkable journey in the skilled trades has been nothing short of inspirational,” said Chris Hudson, SVP of Network Operations, Alectra Utilities. “Over three decades of dedicated service in the technical trades, Shelley’s professional trajectory is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence. From her early days as a Powerline Maintainer apprentice to her current role as Vice President of Metering at Alectra Utilities, Shelley’s success has been shaped by her tenacity, hard work and a relentless pursuit of equality.”
The Women in Trades award is bestowed to a female tradesperson who is a leader in the field and an inspiration to women in or seeking to enter the skilled trades. Shelley started her career as a Powerline Maintainer apprentice in 1990, where she emerged as a trailblazer—one of the few women working in the electrical trades in Ontario, and eventually the sole female in the Line trade in British Columbia Shelley has broken through gender barriers throughout her 30+ year career in the utility sector.
As Vice President of Metering at Alectra Utilities, Shelley now oversees “Grid Edge” technology implementation, crucial for modernizing the grid in the face of electrification, climate change, and net-zero targets. She leads a dedicated team that will transition consumers into energy prosumers. This innovation will help Alectra’s customers manage their electric vehicles, home energy networks, battery storage and renewables. These tools are critical to achieving the transition from fossil fuels to electrification, creating a sustainable energy environment.
Additionally, Shelley is a Board Member at The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) and chair of their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, highlighting her commitment to equality in the industry. She advocates for opportunities regardless of background or gender.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Shelley is committed to community engagement, championing charitable initiatives, mentoring emerging professionals, and dedicates her time to addressing pressing social and environmental issues. As Alectra’s executive sponsor of the ‘Walk-a-Mile in Their Shoes’ charity walk in Hamilton, she raises awareness and funds to support at-risk women and marginalized communities.
