3RD ANNUAL BC WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING SUCCESS FORUM

SPEAKERS

Inja Ma, CEO & Co-Founder, SEAMOR Marine

Born and raised in Korea, Inja is an immigrant entrepreneur, a dedicated and proud mom to two wonderful children, and Taekwondo enthusiast. Arriving in Canada in 1999, she eventually made a home in Nanaimo, BC on Canada’s west coast. She co-founded SEAMOR Marine in 2006. SEAMOR is one of very few subsea ROV companies in Canada, and serves global markets. Always adventurous, Inja jumped into a life-changing journey as owner/CEO of SEAMOR. Her natural curiosity and leadership skills equipped her for the challenges of the male-dominated high-tech industry.

As CEO, Inja is responsible for all company operations. She has developed a remarkable, talented team, carrying out Engineering, Production, Service, Sales, Marketing and administrative functions under her leadership.

As CEO of a high-tech company, Inja understand the difficulties that women face when working in a male-dominated industry. She has built a strong technical team, and uses her strengths to provide a healthy and positive workplace, with a focus on quality, collaboration, and innovation. She has developed a strong professional network that provides support, wisdom, and collaboration.

As CEO, Inja’s priorities are rooted in SEAMOR’s core values: Collaboration, Integrity, Adventure, Growth, and Family. She is committed not only to the company’s success, but also to her team and their professional growth – supporting each individual to be their best. Inja focuses on the development of effective business and planning systems and tools, strengthening marketing and brand awareness, and building collaborative global partnerships. She values each individual and their unique talents and contributions, and strives for open, respectful communication.
For Inja, it’s the human resources side of her role that is most fulfilling. She believes that attracting skilled and talented people to the SEAMOR team, and supporting their growth and contribution, is a real privilege.

Inja is truly the driving force behind SEAMOR’s success.

Karen Kuzek, HR Manager, Rimex Supply

Karen Kuzek is a seasoned human resources expert with over two decades of experience, known for her dedication to organizational development and her passionate support of veterans through volunteer work with the Royal Canadian Legion. Prior to her HR career, Karen spent a decade excelling in the field of payroll management.

Professional Journey

Karen’s career journey has been characterized by versatility and excellence. Her early career was marked by a decade of expertise in payroll management, where she honed her skills in financial administration and meticulous attention to detail. This background has proven invaluable in her later roles, allowing her to create equitable wage and salary structures.

HR Excellence

As a human resources professional, Karen has consistently demonstrated her commitment to organizational success. Her notable achievements include:

• Performance Incentive Program: Karen’s innovative approach to performance management has led to the creation of highly effective incentive programs, driving employee motivation and achieving organizational goals.
• Coaching and Training: Renowned for her ability to nurture leadership potential within organizations, Karen provides invaluable coaching and training for managers and supervisors, helping them become effective leaders.
• Employee Relations: Karen’s dedication to maintaining a harmonious work environment is evident through her adept handling of employee relations issues, ensuring employees feel valued and supported.

Dedication to Veterans and Their Families

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Karen has dedicated countless hours to volunteering with the Royal Canadian Legion. Her tireless efforts have made a significant impact on the lives of veterans and their families, embodying the Legion’s commitment to “Service not Self.”

Karen Kuzek’s career has been a journey of growth and impact, from her early days as a payroll professional to her current role as a distinguished HR expert and dedicated volunteer. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and her passion for supporting veterans make her a truly remarkable individual.

Emily Reid, The University of British Columbia – Manufacturing Engineering Program
Emily Reid is a 6th-year student in the UBC Manufacturing Engineering Program. She’s involved in various extracurricular, including being the President of the Engineering Undergraduate Society and Manufacturing Engineering Student Club. She’s also a project lead for Super Mileage, a hyper-efficiency design team.

You are in the driver’s seat of your career. In order for you to be successful, you need to be actively engaged in your career development and the performance management process. Come learn strategies to help set yourself up for success and unleash your potential.

• Overview of career development
• Your role in managing the process
• Understand your strengths and development areas
• Define your career goals
• Understand your motivators
• Network for success
• Strategies for better managing your boss
• How to give and receive feedback

FACILITATOR

Debbie Pearmain, HR Consultant, Leadership Development and Coaching 

Debbie has worked with CEOs and leadership teams for over 25 years at more than 200 companies. She has been facilitating organizational and leadership transformation projects with Accenture, Global Knowledge, LHH Knightsbridge, One Stop HR and Morneau Shepell/Lifeworks. Debbie is an excellent facilitator, coach and strategic thinker. She helps clients view problems as opportunities for growth and change and creates breakthrough strategies that help people and organizations achieve their full potential.

Debbie has spent her career consulting and coaching clients. Her background in Social Work and Human Resource Management has given her a deep understanding of human behavior and makes her a culture expert. Her extensive training in Leadership Development and Emotional Intelligence assists clients in reaching new levels of engagement and performance.

Debbie is a highly sought after speaker and trainer who has been recognized as an “Instructor Excellence” award winner and Level 2 master facilitator. She is also certified in DISC, Hardiness Resiliency Gauge and MHS systems Eqi 2.0 and Eqi 360 assessment tools market.