Debb Hurlock never envisioned herself working in the energy sector even though many family members worked in oil and gas and she grew up in Sarnia, Ontario, known for refining and chemical factories. “I wouldn’t be able to fit there,” she thought. She wondered, “would it be inclusive of 2SLGBTQIA people, of women, of people who are non-binary?”
Today, however, as Director, Culture, Inclusion & Leadership, Pembina Pipeline Corporation, Debb reports that “I’m exactly where I need to be personally and professionally and even, I would say, spiritually.”
Debb’s commitment to social justice has always driven her career, but her path was never linear. “The anchor and beacon for all of [my work] is wanting to make social change … in particular going into settings where we really feel and believe that the change is needed most,” Debb says. This commitment to changing society for the better carried her from consulting to pursuing an academic career in social work and back again, and finally to her EDI role at Pembina.
“I took a chance on them and they took a chance on me,” she says of her move from consulting to Pembina. She and the company are equally committed to making change, and her role has allowed her to create a more inclusive culture in ways that are deeply meaningful to her.
When Debb was growing up, there was a lack of visibility for LGBTQ+ people, and her memory of this void fuels her commitment. “I knew that when I started at Pembina, I was going to be open about who I am … I hope that it creates some level of representation and visibility for people here that are part of the LGBTQ+ community.” She now regularly returns to Sarnia to visit Pembina’s site and celebrate Pride with employees there, explaining, “For me, representation … is essential to how I do my work; it’s absolutely built into my DNA.”
Debb’s efforts are also inspired by her 15-year-old son. “I knew that when my son came into the world … part of my work would be wanting to shift male norms … I kept thinking, ‘If we can make change in this area, if we can engage men in pursuit of gender inclusion and gender equity for everyone … real change is possible.’”
Debb’s goal for her work at Pembina? To create a space where “whoever you are, wherever you are, you belong here.”
To hear from Debb and other gender equity and DEI champions, attend Catalyst Honours on 7 October, 2024.
Why Debb is an HR/DEI Champion:
- Inclusion Networks: Debb initiated and developed five Inclusion Networks at Pembina—Pride Pembina, Women’s Inclusion Network, Multicultural Resource Network, Indigenous Inclusion Network, and Men’s Mental Health Inclusion Network. These groups foster community and belonging by addressing EDI topics for employees from marginalized groups and allies.
- Conversations for Change (C4C): Debb leads this company-wide platform where storytelling and personal experiences of employees are centered in discussions on EDI topics. By nurturing relationships and facilitating ongoing connections among panelists, Debb promotes empathy, compassion, and allyship.
- Field-based EDI Support: Debb directs Pembina’s Culture, Inclusion, and Leadership strategy, focusing on operational and field sites to enhance women’s representation and inclusion. Key to this strategy is the “EDI Operations” role, dedicated to fostering engagement and retention strategies for women in rural and remote field locations.