Enbridge's Career Pioneers series: Part 1, Janet Coy
Janet Coy, Vice President, Natural Gas Marketing, Houston
A celebration of achievement. A promise of untapped potential. An ongoing quest for equality.
International Women’s Day, fast approaching on March 8, is all of these things and more. “The evidence is clear: equality for women means progress for all,” says United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
In honor of UN International Women’s Day, we’re profiling women in the Enbridge workforce who’ve chosen to pursue non-traditional careers. Today’s spotlight is on Janet Coy, vice president of natural gas marketing for Gas Pipelines and Processing (GPP), based in Houston.
Q: How did you end up working as a vice president, natural gas marketing? What sort of journey brought you here?
Isn’t it always being in the right place at the right time, a.k.a. luck? My background is accounting, external and internal auditing, and pipeline supply planning. I got into gas buying for an affiliated marketing company, and I just kept getting promoted since I did all the work (partially joking!).
Q: What does a typical day look like for you?
I like to spend the first one to two hours looking at markets and listening to my staff. I have a desk on the trading floor, so I have to see what is happening in the physical natural gas world, business world and weather world! Then, it’s usually making decisions on forward business, reading about what is happening with new projects, having meetings with groups on new projects or accounting for existing issues. Then, it’s off to lunch with external counterparties and an evening filled with rituals and chores, which I won’t bore you with!
Q: Do you have a philosophy on choosing a career, work ethic, or work/life balance?
- Do what you love.
- Take pride in your work and do it right, even if it means working a lot.
- Challenge yourself.
- Never be afraid to fail.
- Always let your boss know what is going on; surprises are never a good thing in the business world.
- Don’t forget to have fun – a lot of fun.
Q: What sort of work do you do to mentor young women considering, or pursuing, a non-traditional career path?
I’m not sure there is a traditional career path today for either men or women. I challenge young employees to take pride in whatever they are doing. If they’re miserable, they need to look at themselves first, and make changes to be happy.
Q: What is one quote you live by?
There is a saying that I use a lot – “big hat, no cattle.” It refers to big talkers who have no follow-through. Style can be important, but substance is essential.
Q: Given the experience that you’ve accrued, what advice would you have for those young women following in your footsteps?
We are in the business world, not in medicine or the military, so don’t take yourself too seriously. Always do your best and take pride in your accomplishments.
Q: The goal of International Women’s Day is to celebrate women and their achievements. What would you consider one of your most memorable achievements?
My daughter. It has been a very long journey, fraught with more challenges than I could have ever expected. She didn’t ask to be brought into this world, but since she is, it’s my duty to burden her with social responsibility, knowledge and just some plain common sense!
