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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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