Mazana Armstrong
Candidate Statement
Power and energy industry is facing significant challenges to meet emerging needs for electrification and reduction in carbon emissions. At the same time, we are experiencing an unprecedented increase in the frequency and severity of the climate change related weather events impacting the power system infrastructure. Supply chain disruptions and workforce decline triggered by the pandemic and political conflicts are further contributing to the criticality of the situation.
In my position with a large North American utility, I see the challenges that lie ahead for our industry and I believe IEEE PES plays a major role in helping us work together to find solutions. I am passionate about shaping the future direction of IEEE PES and I am enthusiastic about our visibility to the public and remaining relevant to the future generations.
If elected as Secretary, my goal is to revive activities of the PES History Committee, help reshape our IEEE PES brand in view of the major changes that are upon us, and strengthen IEEE PES position within the industry for generations to come.
Biography
Dr. Mazana Armstrong is the Manager of Transmission Stations Engineering Division at BC Hydro. She has over 25 years of professional experience in operations, maintenance, and design of high voltage electric power systems, specifically electrical aspects of 69 kV to 500 kV transmission systems. Mazana’s professional contributions include standards development addressing electrical safety of the public, power utility workers and facilities in close proximity of electric power systems.
Mazana holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Zagreb, Croatia, and a M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, Canada. She is a registered Professional Engineer in British Columbia, and a Senior Member of IEEE. Mazana has been an IEEE PES volunteer for over 20 years. Most recently she served as IEEE PES Vice President for Chapters. Mazana is an IEEE Power and Energy Society Distinguished Lecturer and a Member of IEEE Standards Association.
Accomplishments
IEEE PES has over 800 professional and student chapters worldwide, delivering technical presentations and networking events to over 40,000 members. As IEEE PES Vice President Chapters (2018-2022), I led several important initiatives within the PES Chapters organization:
- Implementation of health tracking for professional and student chapters to enable growth of high performing chapters delivering outstanding service to the membership.
- Establishing student chapters leadership organization in all IEEE Regions, mirroring the organization of professional chapters.
- Establishing the High Performing Student Branch Chapter Program and Outstanding Student Chapter Award, both providing financial assistance to student chapters.
- Annual student chapter chair training was launched virtually in 2021 and in person in 2022 for the first time in all IEEE Regions. Professional and student chapter chair training is essential in ensuring the health and longevity of PES chapters.
- Initiation of the PES Mentoring Program by PES Student Chapters Committee has been a major success. Student chapter activities and their growth support student retention and successful transition of students to professional members. Student chapters are the key to the future of PES as a volunteer organization.
My past accomplishments include the role of PES Regional Representative for US and Canada and chairing the local organizing committee for 2013 IEEE PES General Meeting in Vancouver. In 2011, I was the IEEE Vancouver Section Chair and the centennial committee chair to mark 100 years of IEEE in Vancouver. Efforts included a significant public outreach, with the City of Vancouver declaring the Engineering Week and unveiling of the IEEE Monument at Science World. We published 100 years of Vancouver Section history book for the occasion, raising public awareness of the IEEE brand. Prior to that, I held the roles of Section Treasurer, Secretary and Vice-Chair. I actively participate with IEEE PES Technical Committees in development of technical standards.