ERGs and Supportive Leadership in the Energy Sector

Thursday, November 5 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET
This webinar will also take place on October 20
Strong employee resource groups (ERGs), visible leadership support, and meaningful accountability can make a lasting difference in whether 2SLGBTQIA+ employees feel connected, supported, and motivated to build long-term careers in the energy sector. When these efforts are embedded into an organization they become powerful drivers of inclusion, engagement, and retention.
Drawing on research from Empowering 2SLGBTQIA+ Workers in Energy, this webinar explores how ERGs can become strategic partners in organizational change when they are properly resources, connected to decision-makers, and accessible to field-based workers. The session also highlights the role of leaders and allies in creating workplaces where employees feel safe to contribute, grow, and stay.
This is a free webinar offered as part of the “Empowering 2SLGBTQIA+ Workers in Energy” project, funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada.
Learning Objectives

Identify barriers to recruitment, retention, and advancement for 2SLGBTQIA+ workers in energy.
Develop strategies to strengthen ERGs/affinity groups as strategic partners in organizational change
Develop practical metrics for leadership accountability that go beyond performative allyship.

Audience

Executive and senior leaders
Supervisors, forepersons, team leads, and people managers
Union representatives and stewards
HR, DEI, and labour relations teams
ERG/affinity group leaders
ERG executive sponsors

Facilitators
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Rowan Venedam (he/they)
Project Coordinator, Energy, Pride at Work Canada
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Rowan Venedam is a multidisciplinary artist, activist, and educator. Rowan has spent his time building a career rooted in community care. He has spent the last 10 years working with 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and finds purpose envisioning a better future for Queer and Trans people. Rowan went to the University of Alberta for Elementary Education and brings his understanding of teaching and learning to create effective change. Outside of work, Rowan is a drag artist, community leader, and proud dad to two cats.
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Wood Buffalo Pride
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Wood Buffalo Pride is a non-profit organization committed to raising awareness and promoting inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Wood Buffalo, Alberta, located in Treaty 8 Territory. We advocate for and empower 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families in Wood Buffalo by fostering inclusion, providing education, and creating safe spaces that support equity, belonging, health, and well-being.
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Energy Webinar Series
This webinar is part of a series taking place from September to December 2026:

Psychological Safety and Addressing Workplace Harassment: September 10 | September 16
Field-Centered 2SLGBTQIA+ Safety and Inclusion Strategies: September 22 | October 8
ERGs and Supportive Leadership in the Energy Sector: October 20 | November 5
Trans and Nonbinary Inclusion and Safety in the Energy Sector: November 19 | December 8

Accessibility

Spoken language: English
Closed captioning provided: English
Format: Virtual (Zoom in webinar mode)
Engagement type: participants invited to engage via chat (no audio or video)

Please register below additional accessibility requests. Any questions may be sent to events@prideatwork.ca