2025 Star Women in Convenience winner: Michelle Rae

Michelle Rae  

Executive Director      

Ontario Petroleum Contractors Association      

How did you get into this business?

I joined OPCA in 2001. At the time, I wasn’t familiar with the petroleum contracting industry—I was hired based on my background in training development and administration. I worked hard to learn the ins and outs of the industry, to understand our members’ needs, and to continually strengthen the association’s brand and services.

What work-related accomplishment are you most proud of during the last 12–18 months?

I’m most proud of developing new training initiatives for the association and its members. This year, we are launching fully online training programs to help members get new workers trained and into the field sooner. We’ve also introduced new initiatives to bridge regulatory gaps, making it easier for contractors to maintain compliance and improve their workflow. We’re currently working with regulators to accredit this training in Ontario, and we’ve received interest from associations across Canada.

What do you like most about your job?

I love working on new initiatives. I’m also fortunate to work alongside some of the greatest people in the industry—individuals who build each other up and are incredibly supportive. Whether it’s collaborating with our members or working with our various committee teams, I find it deeply rewarding to help create programs that are practical, user-friendly, and responsive to industry needs.

What was the biggest challenge of your career?

One of the biggest challenges was learning the technical aspects of the industry early on. Another significant challenge came with the exponential growth of our association about fifteen years ago, following the launch of the safety program we developed for the industry. Managing that growth included building a Learning Management System (LMS) and onboarding new staff to help roll out the program across Ontario.

What’s the best advice you ever received?

Leadership isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about being willing to learn, adapt, and bring others along with you.

What’s your career highlight/biggest achievement?

Helping grow the OPCA into a strong, respected voice for the industry, and developing training programs that have made a real difference for contractors across Ontario.

What excites you most about the future of this channel?

While change can be challenging, it also brings new possibilities. I’m excited to see how our members will rise to meet future demands and continue to deliver expertise across a changing energy landscape.

What trends or innovations are you keeping an eye on right now? What do you think will shape the business in the next five years?

We’re closely watching the development of alternative fuels and how they will affect our industry. Our focus is on evolving our training programs to ensure our members have the tools and knowledge they need to adapt to changing technologies and regulatory landscapes.

How do you define yourself as a leader?

As a leader, I believe it’s essential to trust your staff, listen to their challenges, and avoid micromanaging. Clearly defining roles and providing support early on helps staff grow within the organization and confidently take on new challenges. I also believe in streamlining processes to make their work easier and providing training when needed. As a leader in industry training, it’s important to stay on top of the latest developments and to make the learning process an engaging and rewarding experience for students.