Nannette, Ho-Convernton, BSc (Eng)'87

For Nannette Ho-Covernton, BSc (Eng)’87, service is not something you fit in after the “real work” is done. It is the real work. And it has shaped her career, volunteer commitments and ongoing relationship with the University of Calgary.  

As the 2025 recipient of the Arch Award for Alumni Service, she is being honoured for decades of dedication to her alma mater, her profession and the communities she serves. Her connection to the Schulich School of Engineering began the moment she stepped onto campus as a student.  

“I experienced a strong sense of community, one where I truly felt like I belonged,” Ho-Covernton recalls. “That feeling didn’t end at graduation. It became a foundation for how I wanted to give back.”  

Over the years, she has returned repeatedly to offer mentorship, speak at alumni events, and help shape initiatives that make engineering more inclusive and supportive for the next generation. Mentorship has been a constant thread. Ho-Covernton has guided countless students and young professionals, even relatives and the children of close friends, as they pursued engineering careers.  

“When students reach out for mentorship, advice, or simply to share their journey, I’m reminded of how meaningful those connections were for me,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of their growth and to help foster the same sense of connection and encouragement that shaped my own path.” 

Ho-Covernton’s deep connection to UCalgary took an unexpected turn in 1987. Graduating during a downturn in the oil and gas industry, she sought opportunities to build skills and community while the job market recovered. She began volunteering for the 1988 Winter Olympics, choosing speedskating for practical reasons (“It was indoors and close to home”), and happened to be at UCalgary.  

What began as a convenient choice evolved into more than three decades of service at the Olympic Oval. In that time, Ho-Covernton gained skills her formal education had not covered — everything from project management and budgeting to people leadership and large-scale event co-ordination. Her dedication was recognized nationally when she was named Speed Skating Canada’s Volunteer of the Year in 2007.  

“I value the impact I have made on the athletes, the speed skating community, and the Oval,” Ho-Covernton says. “But I’m happiest to call all those in this community a friend.” 

Being on campus so often only deepened her bond with the university. On a visit to Schulich’s engineering labs two decades after graduation, Ho-Covernton realized much of the equipment had not changed since her own student days. That moment solidified her commitment to giving back; to help ensure future engineers would have access to modern tools and the best possible learning environment. 

Professionally, Ho-Covernton has built a respected career as a leader in sustainability, innovation and equity in the energy sector. At Spartan Controls, she has advanced clean-technology initiatives and helped shape digital-transformation strategies that are influencing the sector well beyond Alberta. Her leadership and vision have been highlighted in multiple publications, and she is a sought-after speaker at industry and community events. She serves as co-lead for the Digital Oil and Gas initiative within the Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) and sits on its steering committee, helping guide collaborative solutions that support Canada’s transition to a lower-carbon economy. She is also on the advisory board for WISE Planet with Dr. Laleh Behjat, PhD. She sees Schulich alumni as natural leaders in this transformation.  

“Calgary has always been a ‘get it done’ city, a place where people roll up their sleeves, find creative solutions, and push forward no matter the challenge,” Ho-Covernton says. “We’re trained not just to solve problems, but to think critically about how our work can contribute to a better and healthier economy and environment.”  

She points to Schulich graduates who are launching startups, leading research, mentoring students and influencing policy as proof that the school’s alumni network is already shaping the future in meaningful ways. 

Ho-Covernton’s volunteer leadership extends far beyond UCalgary and the energy sector. She has served on the board of the Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada, contributed to Theatre Calgary’s development committee and moderated high-profile policy discussions for the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. She has supported youth development and sport through KidSport’s Sneakers & Dreamers gala and inspired students as a mentor with Classroom Champions. In every role, Ho-Covernton finds ways to connect people, strengthen communities and create opportunities for others to succeed. Her approach to leadership is rooted in presence and empathy.  

“To me, leadership is about being engaged — not just in the work, but in the people around you,” she explains. “It’s about supporting your team, listening actively and creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute.”  

Ho-Covernton says she believes leaders should help remove barriers to success, ensuring others have the tools and confidence they need to thrive. For her, leadership also means looking ahead, creating a vision for the future and inspiring others to help shape it.  

“True leadership isn’t about titles,” says Ho-Covernton. “It’s about impact and the legacy you leave behind in the people you’ve helped grow.” 

Her advocacy for underrepresented groups in STEM has been a hallmark of her career. In 2019, she received Schulich’s Alumni Diversity and Equity Award, and, in 2024, she was honoured with the APEGA Summit Award as a Women in Engineering and Geoscience Champion. In 2025, she was honoured with the inaugural Schulich School of Engineering, WISE Planet North Star Award. These honours reflect Ho-Covernton’s efforts to create a more-inclusive profession and ensure that voices traditionally left out of engineering leadership are heard and valued. 

Yet, when asked what she is most proud of, Ho-Covernton doesn’t focus on the recognition she’s received.  

“What I’m most proud of are the friendships and meaningful connections I’ve built along the way — especially through my professional and volunteer work,” she says. “These relationships have enriched my life in ways I never expected and have been a constant source of inspiration, support and joy.” 

Recently, Ho-Covernton stepped into the role of executive director at the Energy Transition Centre Foundation. 

“It’s a role that allows me to bring people together, foster collaboration and help build a stronger, more connected community,” she says. “I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of something that aligns so closely with who I am and what I care about.” 

For UCalgary and its alumni, Ho-Covernton’s story is a reminder that service comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s mentorship over coffee; sometimes it’s steering an industry-wide initiative; and sometimes it’s decades of quiet, consistent volunteerism.  

In recognizing her with the 2025 Arch Award for Alumni Service, the university is celebrating not only her accomplishments, but her philosophy: that the measure of a career is not just what you achieve for yourself, but what you help others achieve, as well.