Latest / The Splitting Atoms Podcast / Ep 7 | POWERING TOMORROW: Saying Yes To Opportunity with Dorian Charette

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Ep 7 | POWERING TOMORROW: Saying Yes To Opportunity with Dorian Charette · The Splitting Atoms Podcast

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_03: I've always been someone who believes in taking as many opportunities as possible, and those opportunities that present themselves, you're being presented that for a reason.
• 0:09
  SPEAKER_00: Have you ever noticed how the future of an industry is sometimes shaped by the people who never originally planned to enter it?
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_00: In my conversation with Dorian Charette from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, we explore career paths, storytelling, community, and the experiences that can unexpectedly shape where we end up professionally.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: Dorian reflects on discovering the nuclear sector through opportunity and proximity rather than intention, and how relationships, mentoring, and a strong sense of belonging ultimately transformed what was once an unexpected career path into meaningful work that he genuinely connects with.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: Our conversation also explores the evolving culture within nuclear, particularly the openness, collaboration, and support systems that are helping younger professionals contribute, grow, and find a place within this industry.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_00: This is a thoughtful conversation about remaining open to opportunity, building a career aligned with your values, and the next generation of voices that are helping shape the future of nuclear.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_00: Join me now as I Split Atoms with Dorian Charette in a special edition of the Splitting Adams podcast called Powering Tomorrow.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome Dorian to the Splitting Adams Podcast Studio.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: I'm very happy to have you here.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_00: And you are maybe the lucky, unlucky first person that we're having on on a segment called Powering Tomorrow.
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_00: And so I guess it's it's lucky because you get to be the first one, but it's unlucky because you got to watch as the room changed and the uh the setup was tried out for the first time.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_00: So thank you and you're welcome.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_03: Well, thank you so much for having me.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_03: And honestly, it's very um very much a privilege to be here today.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_03: Um and just see even seeing the the space come together and from a communications perspective, I I appreciate it so much, and to be thought of as a as a future leader is uh very kind, so thank you, Kayla.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: You are, it's not thinking of you as one.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: You you are one, you fit the world so beautifully.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: I like, we're in a very casual setting, um, but you came dressed ready to go.
• 2:07
  SPEAKER_00: You have your Adams tie on.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: I appreciate this.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_03: I I did, I I just chose my tie for the occasion, of course.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_03: I I can't uh can't not wear the Adam tie for the Splitting Addams podcast.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: No, tell me the backstory of the tie.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_03: Where did it uh this tie its origins?
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_00: Where did you get it?
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_00: That's not when you walk into a store and I think it's sitting on a shelf.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_03: It's actually a tie that I um purchased after the um the technical tour at um Wynn.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_03: Um so they did the tour of uh the the hydroelectric dam, um Sir Adam Beck, the original.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_03: Uh and this was uh in the gift shop.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: So your souvenir.
• 2:43
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, so it's kind of a win souvenir as well.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_04: And uh yeah, I think it's a win-win.
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_04: It's a win-win.
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, and I don't get to wear it often.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_04: So when I was on the Splitting Adams podcast, of course, I have to pull it out.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_00: That's right.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: And for people who are listening who may not be aware, Win, of course, is Women in Nuclear, a fantastic organization uh that works to empower and bring together all of the women who are powering our sector.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_00: So And allies as well.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: Of course, yes.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, yeah.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: So a fantastic organization, such a fun event, their annual conference that happens every fall.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_00: So that's a good souvenir.
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_00: Job well done.
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, thank you for asking me about it, actually.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_04: I it's always nice to remember.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_00: And so before we jump in too much on our conversation, could you give a quick rundown of the organization you work for, which of course is the Nuclear Waste Management Organization and your role there?
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_03: So I'm proud to work at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, or the NWMO for short.
• 3:36
  SPEAKER_03: And so we were founded in 2002 as a not-for-profit organization, and we're actually tasked with the long-term management solution and implementing it for Canada's intermediate and high-level radioactive waste, and to do so in a manner that protects people and the environment.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_03: So essentially what that means is you know taking action today and actually implementing those management solutions in a deep geological repository or DGR.
• 4:04
  SPEAKER_03: And so, if folks don't know what a DGR is, um, a it is the long-term management solution that is used, um, that we're implementing here in Canada, and it is used around the world to safely isolate and contain radioactive waste.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_03: And it's 500 meters below the Earth's surface.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and in the NWO's case with our used fuel repository, we are using a series of natural and engineered barriers to do so.
• 4:32
  SPEAKER_00: Amazing.
• 4:32
  SPEAKER_00: So you essentially, the organization is one that I love so much because you are the stewards essentially of how nuclear is going to be impacting generations to come.
• 4:42
  SPEAKER_00: You are that that kind of watchdog group that makes sure we have a plan in place, we are thinking forward, we're making sure that communities and animals and people within those spaces are really thought of as we operate.
• 4:56
  SPEAKER_00: I love this because I think we're one of the only industries that is so accountable with our waste management and having a plan in place.
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, most rely on end users to kind of deal with the waste, which I know is something you and I have chatted about in the past, but how amazing is it that we have this organization and all of the utilities and supply networks within nuclear are so supportive of the NWMO because it's so important to us that we're thinking generationally ahead.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_00: And now what is your role within the NWMO?
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_03: So I actually started as a corporate communications student with the NWMO.
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_03: Um so I was really fortunate to have that opportunity.
• 5:37
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and as a student, you're always learning new things, and I was really tossed into all aspects of communication, so I see that showing up in my work today, even.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and then I I grew into the role of uh site engagement associate, and so I was working directly with the community of South Bruce during the site selection process, and so there I learned you know so much about um speaking with community members and and regional organizations and really anyone who would listen to what it is that the Nuclear Waste Management Organization does, and um you know I really got to understand the questions that were being asked and and and how people really resonated with our work, and um, and so now I've now moved into a new role as uh senior communications officer, um, and I work in public and media relations specifically, but I am actually back in that corporate communications team, and so it is really a full circle moment for me and uh to be in a bit of an expanded role.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_03: And um, I see the the new corporate communications students coming, and I always see a little bit of myself in them, and it's always quite uh quite cool to see that excitement and and the learning that they're able to do in that role again.
• 6:47
  SPEAKER_00: Wait till you're my age and you start calling them the kids, yeah, and you think, wait a minute, if I'm 25, how can they be 25?
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_00: But then you're like, I don't think I'm 25 anymore.
• 6:55
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, the next the next uh the students.
• 6:58
  SPEAKER_00: It's funny, so we're filming this in Waterloo, and I went to Wilfrid Laurier, and so now I drive by campus and like, look at these little babies, they're just so young, but I remember being that age and thinking you're a full-blown adult, you know, and now I look back and I think, oh no, I'm I'm calling them kids.
• 7:17
  SPEAKER_00: And um now going back into your story a little bit as someone who is in communications and who is out there telling the story of not only NWMO but also of the nuclear community.
• 7:29
  SPEAKER_00: If we think of you when you were little, would people who have known you when you were a kid be surprised that you're in comms?
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_03: No, not at all.
• 7:37
  SPEAKER_03: Well, I always had something to say.
• 7:39
  SPEAKER_03: I think that's that's one thing.
• 7:41
  SPEAKER_03: Um I was very confident and I was always creative and um you know loved to put together little skits and dances and singing with friends and and family and things like that, and uh putting on a good show and and doing uh and doing uh something that uh was creative.
• 7:57
  SPEAKER_03: So um, you know, I I always was either working with my hands and doing uh you know drawing, things like that, or even writing stories and little little picture books and things like that, where it's always sort of a an element of storytelling to it.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_03: So um it is a pretty natural progression for me to to be a communicator.
• 8:16
  SPEAKER_03: And I don't know, I think it's quite interesting to to look back on on yourself as a child and and see those sort of foundational you know communication skills and uh and how they you know translate into a career today.
• 8:29
  SPEAKER_03: And obviously I'm a little bit more polished in my communications as I went when I was maybe five and six years old.
• 8:35
  SPEAKER_03: Putting on plays with your your brother, with my brother, exactly, and uh showing our parents and uh getting a good laugh out of that, but now I can actually use that skill to you know do good in this world.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_03: So yeah.
• 8:46
  SPEAKER_00: I think probably so I had a older sister as well, and your your brother's older, right?
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_00: We're both the babies.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_00: Yes.
• 8:51
  SPEAKER_00: Um it's so funny too because as you're growing up, especially as the younger sibling, there's always that sibling rivalry of getting the attention, and I could only imagine people who had maybe four or five siblings what that developed within them in terms of being strong to communicate to kind of pull the attention.
• 9:08
  SPEAKER_00: But for me, I always found there was a little bit of that sibling uh competitiveness, maybe, but also that partnership of learning how to communicate with others and and kind of coordinate together.
• 9:19
  SPEAKER_00: So that probably came up for you as well, having your older brother.
• 9:22
  SPEAKER_03: Of course, yeah.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_03: So um there was always that little sense of competition.
• 9:27
  SPEAKER_03: A little bit.
• 9:27
  SPEAKER_03: You know, I think when once we we grew together though, too, right, into you know adolescence, I that's when we really started supporting one another too.
• 9:35
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and it it's really it's I'm I'm fortunate to have had a really good upbringing with my family, and um obviously everyone's families go through things, but we always um were stuck by each other's sides, and uh family is really important to me and and has really helped me become where I am today.
• 9:51
  SPEAKER_00: Now, as we look a little bit for forward ahead, because again, you still are quite young, so it's not that far back that we're looking.
• 9:58
  SPEAKER_00: No, and uh as opposed to some of my other guests on the full segments.
• 10:02
  SPEAKER_00: So when we think of you deciding your career path, what were some of the things that were really important to you that were non-negotiables, let's say, when it came to picking a career and deciding what you wanted to do with 35 hours of every week, you know, for for a long foreseeable future?
• 10:21
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, that's a great question.
• 10:23
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and for me, I always had an interest in learning about careers at a really young age.
• 10:28
  SPEAKER_03: And um, in high school, it was something that, you know, I was always top of mind, like, what will I do for the rest of my life, right?
• 10:34
  SPEAKER_03: Like I and I think my family helped me with that too, and in showing that you can do anything you want.
• 10:40
  SPEAKER_03: Um, they didn't pressure me into certain career paths or anything like that.
• 10:43
  SPEAKER_03: It was very like you are capable, you're smart, you can do whatever you want, and you have the choice.
• 10:50
  SPEAKER_03: And so that right there was really something that helped me understand that, okay, well, I want to do something that resonates with me.
• 10:58
  SPEAKER_03: And so uh the main thing is doing something that I love and um also what I'm really good at.
• 11:05
  SPEAKER_03: And so I thought, okay, communications is is something that I can be creative, and so being creative was always a really important thing for um exploring career paths, um, and also having an impact, uh positive impact greater than myself, um, doing something, you know, for the greater good or being a part of something larger than you know, an individual person.
• 11:28
  SPEAKER_03: So that was always something in the back of my head.
• 11:30
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and then making sure that it also aligned with with my personal values.
• 11:34
  SPEAKER_03: So, like you said, like you 35, 40 hours a week or more at these at these jobs that we that we have, and we want to be very much uh fulfilled still in our lives, right?
• 11:47
  SPEAKER_03: So um, and we see that even more in my generation and and most likely in the future uh to come is is that sense of desire to to love what you do.
• 11:56
  SPEAKER_03: And it and it it's what people should be seeking out, and um it really makes your your career more wholesome and uh and then that way you can you can be more successful as well in in both personal and professional living, right?
• 12:10
  SPEAKER_00: That's amazing.
• 12:12
  SPEAKER_00: I think you're so right that as generations, I want to say almost get wiser, they realize that that continuity between building a life and building a career.
• 12:23
  SPEAKER_00: And if there's this this disalignment between what I'm doing in one and my morals and values in the other, or the work that I'm putting out into the world, how are those things correlated?
• 12:34
  SPEAKER_00: It's so strong.
• 12:35
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're like for us in this industry, I think for a very long time we focused on the work, we didn't say a lot as an industry, we just kind of did our jobs, kept our heads down and showed up in our deliverables.
• 12:48
  SPEAKER_00: Whereas now I love watching the industry get better and better at sharing some of these storylines that I think really will be so compelling for people entering the industry.
• 12:58
  SPEAKER_00: Like all of the amazing work we're doing, not just delivering power.
• 13:03
  SPEAKER_03: Exactly.
• 13:04
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's fun.
• 13:05
  SPEAKER_00: It's a fun time to be us.
• 13:06
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, and you know, as a communicator and uh in my everyday, I I get to tell those stories, right?
• 13:11
  SPEAKER_03: And and I I get to be challenged in a way to to tell those stories accurately, but also in a way that you know really resonates with the audience and um ideally diverse audiences too, right?
• 13:24
  SPEAKER_03: Um we we don't want to be uh narrowing our our communications to specific groups.
• 13:29
  SPEAKER_03: You want everyone to understand or everyone to um to build meaning around what the work that we're doing, right?
• 13:35
  SPEAKER_03: Um and so that right there is is something that I get to do in my own life, and uh and I'm really you know like grateful for that opportunity and I s feel like I've found you know where I'm supposed to be.
• 13:47
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's it's so important for us too that people can see themselves in this work, in this industry, and in the impact of this industry.
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of people don't really realize how much nuclear is a part of their day without even thinking about it.
• 14:02
  SPEAKER_00: And I want people to look at our industry and see themselves in it, even if they're not entering the workforce, let's say, just to really recognize the the um influence that nuclear has.
• 14:13
  SPEAKER_00: So as we jump then forward, was nuclear on your radar when you were thinking of where to work, where to enter, how did that become a piece of your story?
• 14:24
  SPEAKER_00: Because here you are.
• 14:25
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 14:25
  SPEAKER_00: What was the introduction like?
• 14:27
  SPEAKER_00: The meat cute?
• 14:28
  SPEAKER_03: It most definitely was not on my radar when I was applying to you know communication uh school.
• 14:35
  SPEAKER_03: I did my undergrad in in comms, and um, I actually come from a long line of teachers, right, and educators.
• 14:43
  SPEAKER_03: And so my grandma was a teacher, and lots of my aunts and uncles, and both my parents were in education.
• 14:49
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and so I thought maybe being a teacher would be uh something that I would do.
• 14:53
  SPEAKER_03: And um speaking French, there was a shortage of French teachers in Ontario, and I always thought that in the back of my head that that would be sort of the path that I would go down.
• 15:02
  SPEAKER_03: Um, but comms left that kind of opportunity and the door wide open for lots of different things, right?
• 15:08
  SPEAKER_03: So um I kept on um uh looking at different uh roles and and different uh uh experiences, and I never really um tried to shut down any experience that comes my way.
• 15:20
  SPEAKER_03: I've always been someone who believes in, you know, taking as many opportunities as possible, and those opportunities that present themselves, um, you know, you're being presented that for a reason.
• 15:31
  SPEAKER_03: And then, you know, that path of least resistance and seeing what's available to you, not necessarily taking the easy road, because I I don't think my path has been easy, but I do think my path has been um very much, you know, going with and and taking those opportunities as they come, right?
• 15:52
  SPEAKER_03: And and seeing what's out there and available and and and working towards that ultimate goal, right?
• 15:58
  SPEAKER_03: You have a an end destination, but you have you know multiple ways to get there.
• 16:04
  SPEAKER_03: And the way that is closest to you and your your choice is the way that you're supposed to go.
• 16:10
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and so when you kind of think of that, uh it becomes a lot easier to to navigate.
• 16:15
  SPEAKER_03: And so thinking back to um my school, my schooling, and um it was the uh summer going into my third year of undergrad.
• 16:25
  SPEAKER_03: Um I was wanting to go back home and live with family for the for the summer.
• 16:30
  SPEAKER_03: And where is home?
• 16:31
  SPEAKER_03: Well at Walkerton, Ontario.
• 16:33
  SPEAKER_03: Okay.
• 16:33
  SPEAKER_03: So uh like Bruce County area was home.
• 16:35
  SPEAKER_00: Starting to paint a picture from the outside.
• 16:37
  SPEAKER_00: It might be coming.
• 16:39
  SPEAKER_03: And uh and so I was looking for opportunity close to home um that were communication specific, right?
• 16:45
  SPEAKER_03: I wanted to get some good corporate um work experience.
• 16:49
  SPEAKER_03: And Bruce Power was hiring corporate communications.
• 16:52
  SPEAKER_00: Never heard of them, no.
• 16:54
  SPEAKER_00: Massive.
• 16:54
  SPEAKER_00: Love this influence.
• 16:56
  SPEAKER_03: So they were hiring on their communications team, and I was fortunate enough to be a um a community relations student uh with Bruce Power.
• 17:05
  SPEAKER_03: Uh, and that was really my entry into the the nuclear industry.
• 17:09
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and uh and it was definitely not on my my radar uh going into undergrad, but as I was finishing my undergrad, it was top of mind.
• 17:19
  SPEAKER_00: Isn't that incredible?
• 17:20
  SPEAKER_00: And I think this speaks to the influence and the importance of having employers like Bruce Power, who of course one of the world's largest nuclear power facilities generating stations in communities that maybe don't have opportunities presented to them as much as the bigger cities, having someone like Bruce Power to give such a diversity of jobs, build awareness, and showcase entry into careers that small communities sometimes don't have access to.
• 17:51
  SPEAKER_00: Like that's the power of having a business like Bruce Power in the backyard of Walkerton, Tiverton, Port Elgin, King Cardin, and all of these places.
• 17:59
  SPEAKER_00: So your proximity to nuclear brought you into nuclear, a story, a tale as old as time, which we love.
• 18:07
  SPEAKER_00: It's the same as mine, right?
• 18:08
  SPEAKER_00: I I'd never really known about uh nuclear.
• 18:12
  SPEAKER_00: I grew up here in Kitchener, Waterloo, and uh I moved up to Port Algin because my partner at the time was became a nuclear operator.
• 18:19
  SPEAKER_00: Okay.
• 18:20
  SPEAKER_00: And that's where all my contacts became nuclear.
• 18:22
  SPEAKER_00: And when I went into the marketing services kind of side of industry, all my clients were nuclear, and it just led me into this.
• 18:29
  SPEAKER_00: And then tell me if you're anything like me.
• 18:32
  SPEAKER_00: Once you're in nuclear, you love nuclear.
• 18:35
  SPEAKER_03: Well, of course.
• 18:36
  SPEAKER_03: I think that is a really great example of, you know, so when I started working at Bruce Power, it was um a lot of things started to make sense, and you know, being able to put my skill set um towards um something as essential as keeping the lights on, um, you know, the environmental stewardship aspect of um so much uh environmental work goes into to nuclear and remediation and and monitoring um the level of of care and and and detail that goes into this work uh for you know carbon-free power generation, right?
• 19:13
  SPEAKER_03: So that was something that I could really, you know, rally behind and um build a career, you know, off of.
• 19:19
  SPEAKER_03: And when you learn so much about something and you get to tell people all about it, I wanted to just keep doing that forever, right?
• 19:30
  SPEAKER_03: It is something that I then seeked out more opportunities in nuclear, and that's actually um directly after that role, I I moved into my my corporate communication role with BNWMO.
• 19:41
  SPEAKER_03: And so that was when um I could, you know, I was like, I I gotta keep talking about nuclear.
• 19:46
  SPEAKER_03: You don't wanna leave.
• 19:47
  SPEAKER_03: I don't, I don't wanna leave.
• 19:48
  SPEAKER_03: I don't want to stop talking about it.
• 19:50
  SPEAKER_03: It was something that was really cool, and um, I loved learning about it and I loved telling people about it.
• 19:55
  SPEAKER_03: And I I I thought I found, you know, and I did, I found where I was meant to be.
• 20:00
  SPEAKER_00: And I th I love this part of your story because you knew from an early age you needed your career to align with your values and your goals and the impact you wanted to have with life in your life.
• 20:14
  SPEAKER_00: And it was right there in your own backyard because that is such a hard thing to find.
• 20:17
  SPEAKER_00: A job that pays well, has great stability and long-term opportunity presenting itself, but that also aligns with the things you want to do as a human being.
• 20:29
  SPEAKER_00: And it was right there for you, quite literally in your backyard.
• 20:32
  SPEAKER_00: But I think a lot of people in Ontario and more and more in Canada, they don't know that this industry exists and it allows for opportunities like that, where you're contributing to all of these amazing things.
• 20:46
  SPEAKER_00: And um, and we won't get into all of them, but even like the environmental stewardship that comes with us, uh, the energy security that we have, the production of medical-grade isotopes that are working to save lives and better lives, but so many talking channels, the DEI that comes with our industry and um Indigenous reconciliation, a lot of people don't realize that opportunity, the economic side of the opportunity of having a good, stable, steady job and the social impact of building a life you can really be proud of is right here.
• 21:19
  SPEAKER_00: It's because you don't find you're you're not going into some industries thinking this is also going to change the world, right?
• 21:25
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes you just got to get a job, but with nuclear, it's right here, it's available, the opportunities are here, and it's you're changing the world, as stupid as this sounds.
• 21:33
  SPEAKER_03: In one way, exactly.
• 21:35
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 21:36
  SPEAKER_03: It's such a small, um, yeah, it's a small thing that you we can all put our our skills to the test and become a part of of something bigger, right?
• 21:45
  SPEAKER_00: What was one of the things that surprised you the most when you entered into our industry, into the nuclear space?
• 21:51
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 21:52
  SPEAKER_03: I thought that I was entering into you know a highly technical uh environment, and that I was.
• 21:58
  SPEAKER_03: But there was such an emphasis also on the social side of of the business and that was something that really um stood out to me early um in in that that discovery really um and you know stepping in and seeing okay the the the people side of this business is is just as important as the technical side right and and as a communicator that was fascinating that um you know I had all sorts of ideas in the sense that this is what something that I could have uh a big impact in and communications is so important in the nuclear industry and and and it is just fascinating to be a part of that um I think also the emphasis like you had mentioned on diversity equity and inclusion um I think as an industry I I will not be naive like there is still lots of work to be done in in all sectors but the nuclear industry is doing some amazing work in those uh initiatives really and it is um you know on a personal level like as an Indigenous person and uh a member of the 2S LGBTQIA plus community right it's there those are are aspects of my identity that that I I see not only accepted but also celebrated in a very sense.
• 23:13
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah like and with open arms and um and even growing up in a a smaller town like um and going off to university and is it feeling um a sense of belonging in a in a a city environment but then going back home and and feeling that same sense of belonging in in the place where I grew up and I felt the need to sometimes hold back of who I am right.
• 23:39
  SPEAKER_03: So you're saying sometimes growing up in a small town you didn't feel like you could fully be yourself or that it was embraced is that exactly and so once I I then went off to university and I came back and and to see that my employer was fully embracing that um and and to be you know still in the same same town it it was reassuring.
• 24:01
  SPEAKER_03: It was refreshing and um it was definitely something that I'm I'm very very uh proud of even just things like going to community pride celebrations and parades and going on behalf of of you know Bruce Power and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.
• 24:19
  SPEAKER_03: Like being there not only as a community member celebrating but with my employer and and showcasing that we are an inclusive employer and and that we are you know open to uh to diversity and and and inclusion.
• 24:33
  SPEAKER_03: So um and the same goes with the with our participation in POWWs as well right having that invitation from community to attend those community events is really special and to do that um with your employer is is really impactful for me and then being able to share you know the work that we do and and how a community can get involved and and the many opportunities for Indigenous reconciliation as well.
• 25:00
  SPEAKER_00: It's funny because in our industry on an organizational and on a um technical level we have is someone like Connexis right where their purpose is to make sure we are connected as a group of technology providers and that we're working together for the success of one is the success of all.
• 25:24
  SPEAKER_00: We're an industry that really shares our learning, has lessons learned and is open and free with with our knowledge so that we're all getting better.
• 25:32
  SPEAKER_00: I've never really thought of the fact before that that trickles down into the people behind the power and how we show up for one another, right?
• 25:41
  SPEAKER_00: Whereas I see if you're going to a conference that I've never been to before there's people that reach back and say hey come on with me like oh I'll introduce you to these people.
• 25:50
  SPEAKER_00: But we really do that for one another.
• 25:53
  SPEAKER_00: And the other thing with what you said on being invited into communities and showing up at things like Pride events and parades and all of these areas that speaks to the the genuine feelings behind our industry, not only on the organizational level but really on the people level.
• 26:12
  SPEAKER_00: Because to be invited in to Indigenous ceremonies and into community is a very meaningful thing, I think, and shows a true relationship that we are building with community and with the individuals within and an authenticity to how we're doing it.
• 26:27
  SPEAKER_00: I know it's not always perfect and I know that as you've said there's still progress that has to be made on all fronts across all industries and sectors.
• 26:35
  SPEAKER_00: But I am really proud like yourself like yourself to be part of someone who I think we're leaders in it.
• 26:41
  SPEAKER_00: Again, not perfect but definitely working really hard.
• 26:46
  SPEAKER_00: So I I like that that's part of your journey and that you're noticing the same thing especially being a younger generation because I think your generation holds a higher standard for what that looks like on a genuine level.
• 26:58
  SPEAKER_03: And I think that there's so much um to come in terms of DEI as well thinking about what has already been laid the groundwork and um the next generation of nuclear professionals that are to come I'm really excited to see you know there's diversity in that you know when people see themselves represented in an organization or in a an industry they can then you know they can then go to trying to work in it right and so if if folks don't see themselves represented in an industry, you know, how can they expect to to pursue a career in it, right?
• 27:32
  SPEAKER_03: And I think that's where the representation matters and I think that that's where you know diverse teams which we know are stronger with through diverse you know ideologies and thinking all sorts of things it makes the the whole industry stronger as a whole.
• 27:47
  SPEAKER_00: It's such b good business practice as well as social practice.
• 27:51
  SPEAKER_03: Exactly it makes good business sense and it's just the right thing to do.
• 27:55
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah it just and it feels good.
• 27:56
  SPEAKER_00: It creates better environments, better cultures, but then yeah we combat problems much more effectively because you have people from different backgrounds coming up with solutions.
• 28:06
  SPEAKER_00: We're able to see problems further out because again different backgrounds alert us to different things that others may not notice.
• 28:15
  SPEAKER_00: I love that part and the other thing that I really love so um at the time that we're filming this the CNA conference was just uh last week it feels like a long time ago because it's just been so so crazy uh coming back from that.
• 28:27
  SPEAKER_00: But I love being in rooms like that where you have people in the room who are 62 and you have 22.
• 28:34
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah I love being in rooms where there are multiple generations not only just for the the kind of environment that builds and the different jokes and and that sort of thing.
• 28:46
  SPEAKER_00: I love the learning because it goes both ways.
• 28:48
  SPEAKER_00: For sure you know I think sometimes we think the older generations teach the younger but I think it's it's goes both ways it goes both ways right exactly and you are part of an organization the N-A-Y-G-N nailed it because normally I screw that one up I move letters around I really struggle with abbreviations for an industry that is riddled with abbreviations but I love that organization because one piece of that and I'll let you describe it a little bit more what the abbreviation stands for a part of that is bringing generations together and creating this environment where young professionals moving into the sector have have the support and the guidance and and the welcoming that they need.
• 29:29
  SPEAKER_03: Exactly yeah so uh so North American Young Generation in nuclear or NAYGN for short it's a member based organization with chapters all across Canada the US and Mexico and essentially it is to empower the next generation of nuclear enthusiasts and nuclear professionals right so you mentioned one of the key pillars which is actually knowledge transfer.
• 29:54
  SPEAKER_03: There are four key pillars of NAYGN and so it is professional development there is public information sharing networking and membership and then the knowledge transfer.
• 30:05
  SPEAKER_03: And so when people hear North American young generation of nuclear they often will dismiss it right away and say oh well I'm too old for that.
• 30:14
  SPEAKER_03: Or didn't meet the cutoff yeah and that's such a misconception because we want um everyone to be involved and so basically it is that leadership is designated for folks that are 35 and under but anyone can join.
• 30:28
  SPEAKER_03: There's no age limit and it's really important to have you know those folks that are more mature in their career and have that experience be engaged with NAYGN because of that knowledge transfer.
• 30:39
  SPEAKER_03: So you know being mentors and sharing your knowledge with with the next generation that will you know come up and and become the leaders of tomorrow.
• 30:48
  SPEAKER_03: And you know let us do all the work.
• 30:52
  SPEAKER_00: We just want you to show you guys run it we get to just arrive.
• 30:55
  SPEAKER_03: We want you to show up and we want you to bring your knowledge you know come to the events the conferences the uh industry nights you name it um and and just you know whatever you have to share with the next generation you know we're all ears and um and it it's a really great organization that yeah I'm really uh proud to be our chapter president at the NWMO and uh and it's just uh something that you know helps on so many levels for for me personally um you know from uh in my in my career being able to have sort of a leadership role and in in how to to lead that uh that team and and seek out new opportunities for our chapter um and then also bringing other chapters in and and learning about the NWMO.
• 31:41
  SPEAKER_03: So there's a lot of uh learning that goes on back and forth between uh different school groups and uh the different uh industry chapters.
• 31:50
  SPEAKER_00: I love the fact so when I think of a lot of the members that I know yourself included you know their names pop into my head of members I have no doubt you guys are the future of the just the talent, the care the enthusiasm everything I have no doubt that the future leaders of our sector are are all hovering in that in that ecosystem.
• 32:11
  SPEAKER_00: And I also appreciate that is for the young but also the young at heart.
• 32:15
  SPEAKER_00: Because I'm maybe moving into the young at heart stage of my life so I like that the door hasn't closed.
• 32:23
  SPEAKER_03: Come on.
• 32:23
  SPEAKER_00: I haven't tapped out perfect.
• 32:25
  SPEAKER_00: And you mentioned you're the chair of course of the NWMO chapter so let's now turn our attention to the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.
• 32:34
  SPEAKER_00: And what are you working on right now within that organization?
• 32:38
  SPEAKER_00: I know there's so much happening but could you name one thing that you're working on that really is exciting you when you when you get up every day and head into the office or head into the home office to do your work?
• 32:49
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah yeah there's ex so much exciting work going on at the end of MO and you know with the site selection at the end of 2024 And describe that a little bit because some of our hopefully some of our uh listeners are learning about nuclear so what does that mean site selection DGR again another abbreviation.
• 33:08
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah what does that mean?
• 33:09
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah so um at the end of of 2024 uh the NWMO selected a preferred site for Canada's used fuel repository um in northwestern Ontario um and so uh that right there is with an exciting moment for for our organization we have you know now selected a site and we can move forward into the regulatory decision making process and so that new process is now um the impact assessment uh and so that's an integrated impact assessment with the impact assessment agency of Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission uh and so that is a a big piece of of work that's going on now um and then alongside that this work is actually our expanded mandate uh so through the Integrated Strategy for Radioactive Waste or ISRW another one we're gonna have to release a dictionary of just um it could be a game on social media guess the abbreviation yeah so ISRW was finalized in in 2023 and so with that came the conclusion of uh long-term waste management for uh low-level waste intermediate level waste and high level radioactive waste um and so low level waste was identified to be uh managed for the long term by the waste owners themselves and that the NWMO would would take on the responsibility of intermediate level waste as well as non-fuel high level waste which was the expansion of our sole mandate before was used nuclear fuel.
• 34:41
  SPEAKER_03: So with that comes you know a second DGR.
• 34:45
  SPEAKER_00: Most people don't realize we have different categories of nuclear waste.
• 34:48
  SPEAKER_00: So when you hear the word nuclear waste not all nuclear waste is the same.
• 34:53
  SPEAKER_00: We're accountable for all of it.
• 34:54
  SPEAKER_00: We're very regimented with how we treat all of it but dust particles being swept up in a station is very different than used nuclear fuel pellets.
• 35:03
  SPEAKER_00: Exactly and we have a plan for all of it we work the treatment of all of it into our pre-planning so it's it's paid for in advance in many ways and things like that.
• 35:12
  SPEAKER_00: But so a lot of people don't know that is that we classify our waste.
• 35:16
  SPEAKER_00: Exactly and then a DGR explain just really high level what what is that abbreviation?
• 35:21
  SPEAKER_03: Of course so a deep geological repository or a DGR is the safe long-term management solution for radioactive waste.
• 35:30
  SPEAKER_03: Yes.
• 35:30
  SPEAKER_03: So it's uh classified as being uh more than 500 meters below ground um and the NWMO's used fuel repository will be implemented using a uh series of natural and engineered barriers to do so safely.
• 35:45
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah and what's crazy to me about that is we even know how long our waste will be in existence.
• 35:51
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah like to the to the day I'm sure it's crazy how accountable we are with where our stuff's going.
• 35:57
  SPEAKER_03: And so the DGR will be the final resting place for all of Canada's used nuclear fuel and you know forever, right?
• 36:05
  SPEAKER_03: That is that's uh how you you close out that nuclear fuel cycle.
• 36:10
  SPEAKER_00: And so you're excited because now we're looking to the second one and this correct me if I'm wrong but this is your first time seeing the process from start to finish of site selection engaging of course as as NWMO always does with the communities that are going to be partnering on this project.
• 36:26
  SPEAKER_00: It's your first time though seeing it from point A to point Z.
• 36:29
  SPEAKER_03: Well exactly Or Z.
• 36:30
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah or Z.
• 36:32
  SPEAKER_03: And that's exactly it that's what is so exciting for um for me and my career is actually seeing it from the beginning.
• 36:38
  SPEAKER_03: Of course there's you can uh you can still be invested in a in a project midway through but uh but definitely it's cool to see that from the beginning.
• 36:48
  SPEAKER_03: So with our second DGR project um we are uh engaging with Canadians and Indigenous peoples currently um on the site selection process and and and putting that together and drafting what that looks like to then uh launch the site selection process formally in 2028.
• 37:06
  SPEAKER_00: I love that work because I I remember selection of site one and everything that went into that I also remember feeling so happy for the team when it all came to fruition and the success that they found with that because I know how much work goes into that how many hard days, hard conversations.
• 37:26
  SPEAKER_00: I mean anyone I think that has worked on a project of that caliber, when you get across the finish line, it just feels like such a sense of pride.
• 37:35
  SPEAKER_00: And so I'm very happy that you are going to be able to experience now the whole arc of it.
• 37:41
  SPEAKER_00: It's not really an arc is it it's more um a little more chaotic than that but it's in good hands.
• 37:46
  SPEAKER_00: I know that with the team at NWMO so that's good.
• 37:50
  SPEAKER_00: My favorite project no one who talks to me about NWMO can escape me bringing up the bat program.
• 37:57
  SPEAKER_00: Oh yeah they can't the Toronto Zoo bat program of course you know the my favorite thing is I'm such an animal lover and uh so NWMO has a partnership and they support the Toronto Zoo, the Toronto Zoo's conservation efforts in understanding, recognizing and hopefully supporting bat species in Northern Ontario.
• 38:20
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's a fascinating program.
• 38:21
  SPEAKER_00: I encourage anyone to Google it up and it's so funny because just the other day I I run and I signed up for the Toronto Zoo's Oasis run which takes place I I think in September is is their one and then I go back to Disney World to do a run in October.
• 38:35
  SPEAKER_01: Okay.
• 38:35
  SPEAKER_00: And in the when I was signing up it asks you for one part like why are you running or what is your reason for running and I put I'm running in support of the NWMO and Toronto Zoos.
• 38:47
  SPEAKER_04: Amazing we'll have to get you a t-shirt or something.
• 38:50
  SPEAKER_00: I'll dress up as a bat I'll run in those uh you know those costumes those inflated or mascot just a bat bat mascot yeah um so it was so funny because I just I think there's even these types of projects that are happening within our our industry that people don't even know about and so and no one can escape.
• 39:10
  SPEAKER_00: Like as soon as NWMO comes up their bat programs.
• 39:13
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah that's like the first thing we're I love it I know and I'm not an unpaid endorser.
• 39:17
  SPEAKER_03: This is just a great partnership yeah it's amazing but people I don't think think of Toronto Zoo and conservation of animals and nuclear exactly but here we are yeah we're we're all about you know environmental protection and and you know supporting those those programs that uh and and a great partnership with the Toronto Zoo who's doing amazing work right in in that in that work.
• 39:39
  SPEAKER_00: Two superstars collide it's the collab of the year of multiple years really because I think we're in like third or fourth multi-year collaboration yeah there you go.
• 39:48
  SPEAKER_00: And so if you were talking to someone if I'm someone here sitting in this chair across from you who is thinking of my career you know maybe I'm still one of those young guns over at Laurier or wherever it may be what what words of advice would you give them in terms of have you considered nuclear?
• 40:05
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah that's a great question and I think that um maybe it's not on people's radar right like it wasn't for mine right or wasn't on my radar.
• 40:15
  SPEAKER_03: And I think that there is just so much opportunity to be had in the nuclear industry, right?
• 40:21
  SPEAKER_03: Like we are mentioning there is you know all these projects going on and think about refurbishments and think about new builds right and and these logical repositories you know you know and the momentum that we have as an industry there is so much opportunity to come and as a young person that that gives me a lot of hope and you know for that next generation of folks that are wanting to enter the industry it's like there is opportunity for everyone here.
• 40:47
  SPEAKER_03: And there's so many jobs too right and um a vast amount of of different career paths.
• 40:53
  SPEAKER_03: And I think that's what's really important to that you know folks don't realize right away they think of nuclear and they only think of you know the technical and like engineering focused roles but there are so many roles right um and in the nuclear industry we want good talent and and we don't want um you know those talented folks to to to not think about nuclear as an option.
• 41:16
  SPEAKER_03: We want them to have nuclear at top of mind when they're deciding where they want to work and um and you know there is just so much to come in the nuclear industry.
• 41:25
  SPEAKER_00: I love that I think um it's so funny because our industry it's a win-win right we get the best talent we want the best talent we encourage it we invite it in but in so many ways we also want to give the best of industry to that talent it's a two-way street and again no industry is perfect and we are obviously biased because here we are but I really do I feel like I love this place.
• 41:52
  SPEAKER_00: Like I I won't leave it I I work with some individuals when I have my marketing hat on I work with a few um organizations that are outside of nuclear and it's not the same feeling when you go to those events.
• 42:05
  SPEAKER_00: It's um they don't really even understand what I'm talking about when I get excited to go to one of our conferences they think I'm crazy.
• 42:13
  SPEAKER_00: But I really love it and I think you are a shining example of why this is a great place to look and explore and discover and stay curious because like you said it wasn't on your radar but you knew you you had these certain attributes that you're really good at and these personal characteristics that served you well like your communication skills and your abilities as a storyteller.
• 42:37
  SPEAKER_00: You knew that impact was really important for you and alignment between life and work had to be there.
• 42:45
  SPEAKER_00: And here you are thriving and for sure a future leader of our industry.
• 42:51
  SPEAKER_00: One day you will be being interviewed by someone younger than I to talk to you about your leadership journey as you're a big CEO somewhere.
• 42:59
  SPEAKER_00: Of that I have no doubt.
• 43:02
  SPEAKER_00: I think you're dreaming and you're doing I think you're already on the path whether you know it or not.
• 43:07
  SPEAKER_00: So going back to you know our love of storytelling and us being kids who love to put on shows and you know be loud in the room and share our thoughts I want to thank you so much for coming in today and spending time in studio with us and for sharing your story once again here with us and splitting atoms with me.
• 43:27
  SPEAKER_00: So thank you.
• 43:28
  SPEAKER_00: Well thank you so much Caitlin it's been been a pleasure and I've really enjoyed our conversation I think we also worked in all the all the good things we got Disney in there we got the zoo in there we there's so many things so I'm I'm quite pleased but we we did it we did it thank you Caitlin thank you thank you so much for listening the Splitting Adams podcast is produced by Splitting Atoms Media a division of the Carolyn Corporation.
• 43:52
  SPEAKER_00: All of our conversations are made possible through the support of our founding partner the Nuclear Innovation Institute