Michelle Naef, P. Eng.
Edmonton,AB
Summary
Professional Engineer and recent PhD graduate with a passion for bridging the gaps between disciplines, organizations and institutions. Deep experience in project management and industrial engineering, with more recent focus on academic research and knowledge production - interrogating ways to unlock the latent value of human knowledge in organizations.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Graduate Research Fellow and PhD Student
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB
01.2019 - 08.2023
- Performed NSERC-supported research focused on process safety information systems and human-machine interface, aiming to reduce process safety incidents in industrial settings
- Forged partnership with sensor manufacturer and local school to complete study measuring CO2 levels to evaluate impact of instructional activities on air quality
- Applied industrial risk assessment principles (HAZID, PHA and LOPA) in three schools, facilitating and supporting development of COVID re-entry plans following lockdowns
- Sessional instructor for fourth-year Chemical Engineering Design (CH E 464), instructed students on use and practical applications of process simulation software, professional practices, effective group work and industrial collaboration
- Developed and tested a robust performance assessment methodology to evaluate effectiveness of Graphical User Interface (GUI) design features on decision-making in industrial workplaces
- Prepared applications and obtained approval through Research Ethics Board, led participant recruitment and managed research assistants
- Skilled in qualitative research, engineering research methods, numerical optimization methods, project risk management and quantitative risk management.
- Contributed to development of courses and program requirements for Risk Management focus in Engineering
- Mentored peer researchers, providing guidance on experimental design, data interpretation, and presentation skills.
Asset Management Specialist
Uptake
Chicago, IL
05.2021 - 03.2022
- Supported development of customer-ready product that integrated existing data sources with 'big data' analytic techniques and provide instant business insights to customers
- Subject matter expert focused on developing consistent, re-usable taxonomies for process equipment from piping components to process units to maximize return on investment in information systems
Risk Management Specialist
PetroChina Canada
Calgary, AB
05.2020 - 08.2020
- Developed comprehensive risk management strategies for enhanced organizational resilience and continuity of operations, using ISO 31000 assessment to identify gaps and Value Chain Mapping to prioritize changes
- Reduced company risk exposure by identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential threats to the organization, revamping existing risk registers
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent application of risk management frameworks and standards enterprise-wide
Project Manager
Sherritt International
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
08.2017 - 11.2018
- Delivered multiple capital projects to Turnover (ranging) from $100k to $2M through construction, commissioning and turnover
- Developed project execution plans, business cases and technical justifications for projects ranging from $100K to $8M from concept through investment approval decision
Mechanical and Process Safety Engineer
Shell Canada
Scotford, AB
06.2013 - 08.2017
- Coordinated completion of project deliverables and acted as Management of Change subject matter expert for site-wide organizational re-structuring project involving employment for 600 professional employees
- Developed projects through Concept and Initial Approval phases including internal and external funding challenges
- Coached newly hired employees and working students while observing progress and delegating tasks.
- Collaborated with Maintenance personnel to deliver procedure that contributed to improved site performance in MOC-related KPIs.
Mechanical Engineer
WorleyParsons
Edmonton, AB
04.2012 - 05.2013
- Led team of Mechanical Engineers; mentored junior engineers in design principles and best practices, fostered culture of knowledge-sharing and continuous learning among team members
- Developed novel risk assessment framework to survey mix points, identifying high risk locations and allowing client to prioritize expenditures
- Facilitated Kepner-Tregoe structured alternative assessment with client technical specialists selecting technology empowering client to move forward with major capital project
Asset Integrity and Maintenance Engineer
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Fort McMurray, AB
03.2008 - 04.2012
- Led department leadership through implementation of Reliability Systems Management; improvements in 23 Key Performance Indicators over 9 months
- Completed all project deliverables and managed contract workforce for three simultaneous unplanned outages and developed execution tracking tools
- Led investigation on major fire; accountable for investigating, analyzing and presenting results leading to roll-out of more effective preventative measures
- Developed work scopes, inspection strategies and reports for Risk Based Inspection framework
- Performed root cause failure analysis (RCA and Fault Tree) on critical equipment, improving selection and prioritization of maintenance activities
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Chemical Engineering
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB11.2023
Skills
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Work process improvement
- Building effective teams
- Organizational policy and procedure
- Developing unconventional solutions
- Project and program management
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Full Professional
Publications
- “Smooth operator: aligning performance assessment methods with design and operating objectives” in the Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries (2023)
- “Application of engineering thinking for risk assessment in a Canadian elementary school” in the Journal of Building Engineering (2023)
- “Decision support for process operators: Task loading in the days of big data” in the Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries (2021)
- “On Teaching Tacit Knowledge in Engineering Design and Professional Practice” in The International Journal of Engineering Education (as co-author, 2022)
Presentations
Canadian Society of Chemical Engineers Annual Conference
- “Aligning performance assessment techniques with design and operating objectives” (2023)
Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference
- “Decision Support for Process Operators” (2021)
- “Teaching process safety management: COVID-19 and Alberta public school re-entry” (2020)
Certification
- Professional Engineer (APEGA) 2009 - present
Timeline
Asset Management Specialist
Uptake
05.2021 - 03.2022
Risk Management Specialist
PetroChina Canada
05.2020 - 08.2020
Graduate Research Fellow and PhD Student
University of Alberta
01.2019 - 08.2023
Project Manager
Sherritt International
08.2017 - 11.2018
Mechanical and Process Safety Engineer
Shell Canada
06.2013 - 08.2017
Mechanical Engineer
WorleyParsons
04.2012 - 05.2013
Asset Integrity and Maintenance Engineer
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
03.2008 - 04.2012
Doctor of Philosophy - Chemical Engineering
University of Alberta