PROFILE
STARTED WITH MOM’S ADVICE, CONTINUES WITH DETERMINATION How Mohawk alumnus Kathy Lerette ‘94 beat the odds and is changing the gender landscape By Lu Ann Pannunzio ‘12
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n 1982, Kathy Lerette ‘94 and her mother had a talk that would, unknowingly at the time, help shape her career and the status of women in leadership. Their topic of discussion was the importance of a pension and planning for the future. With her mother’s advice, an interest in architectural drafting and only a high
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school education, Kathy secured a draftsman position at Stoney Creek Hydro. To advance in her field, she attended Mohawk College part-time and received two diplomas, one for Electrical Distribution Technician – Power and another for Electrical Distribution Technologist – Control. “My education at Mohawk certainly gave me the
foundational technical knowledge to work in engineering at a local distribution company, and gave me the educational requirements to move into management,” Kathy proudly shares. Over a period of 15 years, Kathy spent 12 years attending college part-time to successfully complete her programs and earn her two diplomas. This is but a glimpse into her willpower to thrive in the workplace, particularly in a male-dominated job. In 2000, when Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Flamborough, Dundas and Ancaster
