Women in Nuclear - WiN Canada

Linda Turosky joined AECL (Atomic Energy of Canada Limited) two years ago as a Contracts Manager. Though she’s only been on the job a short time, Linda says so far the work has been rewarding and very interesting.

As a Contracts Manager, it is Linda’s job to manage the commercial and contract administration of a major project from the planning phase, through to implementation and finally to closeout.  She provides leadership and advice to the management team in order to minimize contractual issues, project liabilities and commercial risks to AECL.  Working on the Bruce A Units 1&2 refurbishment has been Linda’s major project with AECL thus far, which she says has been both satisfying and challenging. Staffing changes and the introduction of a new Integrated Management Team have required constant adaptation on the job. Linda says her favourite part of the job is being able to apply her background skills and experience directly to her work. Working in the nuclear industry is a new experience for Linda, and she enjoys being able to make a difference in her role while meeting new people. She particularly enjoys the fact that she gets to work with a variety of people from all backgrounds and skill levels, and likes the challenge of putting everyone together to create a winning team. 

While Linda started her education with a BA from the University of Toronto, she has also taken a number of job-specific courses though various institutions. Her educational experience in Contract Management and Negotiations, Collaboration, Accounting and Finance, Program Management and Business Report Writing has put her in good stead for her role at AECL. Linda sees her involvement with WiN-Canada as another source of education about the nuclear industry. Because her previous experience was in the ‘space robotic’ high technology industry, meeting other women in WiN has given Linda the opportunity to get to know women from all parts of the nuclear business. Linda says that WiN connects like-minded women who are “very professional, highly educated and down to earth from all around the world.”

For Linda, life is all about balance. She has learned to balance work and home as a single parent and manages to keep involved with family and lots of great friends and enjoys her passion- golf. She pursues her goals with the same sense of balance, saying “know what you want in life and go for it- but don’t forget to enjoy the trip getting there.” Sound advice indeed. 

As prepared April 9, 2010.