Board of Directors

Karen Vanthuyne (she/her)

President

Karen is a lead engineer with the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), a non-profit organization that is mandated to plan and operate the provincial power grid. In her role, Karen assesses strategic and technical challenges and opportunities, triggered by new technologies and industry trends related to the grid, and finds solutions through stakeholder collaboration. Karen has over 10 years of engineering, strategic planning, and project and program management experience, including a social impact consulting internship in Johannesburg, South Africa, working with a local non-profit providing pro bono legal information to marginalized women in the surrounding townships. She is a Professional Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and an MBA from McGill University in Montreal. Throughout her career, Karen has experienced the effects of gender inequity in engineering and business settings, leading her to become a vocal advocate of diverse representation and a culture of belonging across all leadership tables. Karen is an active member of the Inclusion, Equity, & Diversity Council at the AESO and is proud to sit on the board of Ask Her YYC.