At NextStar Energy, we’re proud to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) by spotlighting three outstanding engineers whose stories reflect purpose, resilience, and innovation. Their paths are different, but their impact is shared: they’re helping shape the future of EV battery manufacturing and redefining what leadership in engineering looks like.
Meet Susan – Cell Assembly Production Manager
Susan’s journey into engineering began not with a formal title, but with a screwdriver in hand and an eagerness to understand how things work. As the only girl in her Grade 8 shop class, she discovered a passion for building and fixing that never left her. Inspired by a supportive math teacher and her electrician father, she pursued machining — only to face rejection at job sites that “didn’t hire women on the shop floor.”
She didn’t stop there. Susan pivoted into mechanical engineering, weathering isolation and bias in classrooms that weren’t ready for her. But she persevered, and today, she leads NextStar’s Cell Assembly operations with deep technical expertise and an unwavering belief in collaborative problem-solving.
“It never gets old seeing what a great team can accomplish together.”
Susan’s career stands as a testament to strength and skill — and a reminder that the best teams are built on inclusion and integrity.
Meet Hora — Manufacturing Intelligence Engineer
Hora’s work lives at the crossroads of data and manufacturing — and she thrives in that space. As part of our Manufacturing Empowerment Team, she helps turn massive data sets into actionable insights that improve real-world production: optimizing recipes, tracking cell performance, and driving smart decisions across the plant.
She’s a systems thinker, an innovator, and a resilient voice in the evolving landscape of Industry 4.0. But her journey hasn’t been without challenges. Working across international teams, Hora has navigated cultural differences, communication barriers, and the pressure of being one of few women in highly technical rooms.
“Engineering doesn’t just build factories, it builds character.”
Hora’s perspective is powerful — she reminds us that technology is only as good as the people who build and believe in it.
Meet Krista— Quality Planning Manager
Krista didn’t always know she’d become an engineer. Her original path pointed toward medicine — until a dorm conversation with a group of engineering students changed her life. One tour of a chemical engineering lab and Krista was hooked: here was a place where science, innovation, and real-world impact met.
She took a leap, combining her Kinesiology background with a Chemical Engineering degree. With support from mentors — including a female professor who championed women in STEM — Krista forged her path with confidence and determination.
“Give me a whiteboard, an open-minded team, and a problem to solve — that’s where I thrive.”
Today, Krista is a key force behind quality systems at NextStar, leading initiatives from IATF certification to zero-defect strategies. But beyond her technical impact, Krista’s voice matters — especially for the next generation of women engineers learning to trust themselves.
“I can’t control how people see me — but I can control the example I set.”
These three profiles represent only a fraction of the incredible talent driving innovation at NextStar Energy. On International Women in Engineering Day, and every day, we celebrate the women who are building a more inclusive, sustainable, and high-performing future.
Their stories inspire. Their work transforms. And their presence makes our team, and our future — stronger.
