Andrea Hine
33 Years Old
Class of 2020
“Small acts of courage can have more influence than people realize. If there’s ever been a time to have the courage to do the right thing, it’s been in 2020.”
Andrea Hine is known to wear many hats (and shoes) in her life, career and community. As a third-generation engineer, she is the Operations Shift Supervisor at Suncor Energy Inc.
“I always wanted to work in the oil sands since grade school. I always thought it was one of the biggest, coolest projects in the world. I was right, the oil sands have the coolest major projects, and I even feel this way after working here for ten years,” she said.
An engineer by trade, she has also branched out and earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Carelton University focusing in the area of Organizational Behavior/Change Management.
She has used her MBA for good causes and has been on the United Way of Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo Board of Directors for five years and part of its Community Investment Committee as a committee member and chair for the past eight years.
Her education and training combined made her a natural fit for the nomination for the role of Interim Executive Director at United Way by her employer since the beginning of the pandemic. She was proud to carry all of this institutional history into the new role.
“This year solidified what genuine leadership looks like to me. I’ve seen real, genuine leadership from regular people doing the right thing. So many people in our community are demonstrating leadership and kindness, and it’s inspiring,” she said.
“Small acts of courage can have more influence than people realize. If there’s ever been a time to have the courage to do the right thing, it’s been in 2020.”
When Andrea isn’t working or volunteering, she’s dancing as an accomplished ballet dancer and is currently studying professional ballet exams in the Cecchetti method. She also teaches ballet at the MacDonald Island Dance Academy.
In her personal life, she shared how, after moving to Fort McMurray and falling in love with the community, she’s been so lucky to share her experience with her best friend and life partner.
“I married my best friend and fellow mechanical engineer, James. He challenges me to be the best person I can be and is one of my greatest supporters. He supports my volunteering and also currently volunteers on the Arts Council Wood Buffalo board,” she said.