Committee Member Spotlight: Nadia McCarthy, BPW2027 Chair

Welcome to our Committee Member Spotlight, a chance to meet the people behind the Banff Pipeline Workshop and learn more about the Steering Committee shaping BPW 2027.

This edition features Nadia McCarthy, Chair of BPW 2027.

1. How long have you been a part of BPW?

I've been volunteering with BPW since 2014, serving in a variety of working group and steering committee roles over the years. From the moment I joined, I was hooked. The quality of the workshops, the openness of the conversations, the willingness of people to share lessons learned, and the relationships that are built each year make BPW truly unique. And I love that it takes place in beautiful Banff, Alberta.

2. How has BPW evolved and grown over the years?

BPW has continued to grow and evolve while staying true to its original purpose. What began in the early 1990s as a small gathering of approximately 65 participants in Red Deer has grown into one of the premier pipeline industry events in North America, with recent workshops selling out at roughly 1,000 attendees. As the industry has evolved, BPW has expanded its technical content and broadened the range of perspectives represented, while preserving the collaborative workshop atmosphere that makes it unique. We intentionally cap attendance because the goal has never been to become the biggest event. The goal is to create an environment where people can actively participate, ask questions, challenge ideas, and learn from one another.

3. Why do you volunteer for BPW?

I volunteer for BPW because it's fun, rewarding, and unlike any other event I've been part of. The steering committee is a diverse group of incredibly talented and genuinely awesome volunteers, many of whom have become lifelong friends. Every year, people from different companies, disciplines, and backgrounds come together with a shared goal of delivering a world-class experience.

What I appreciate most is the sense of purpose and camaraderie that comes from working alongside passionate people. For me, BPW is built around four C's: community, communication, connection, and care. Those values are reflected in everything we do, from planning the event to the conversations that happen throughout the workshop.

4. In your opinion, how important is it to bring the pipeline community together?

It's incredibly important. The pipeline community is relatively small, but it has an enormous responsibility. While we may work for different companies, regulators, service providers, or academic institutions, we all share common objectives in safety, reliability, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement. The challenges facing our industry are too significant to solve in isolation. Bringing people together creates opportunities to develop better solutions.

5. What is your take on the future of the industry?

The future is exactly why we're here. Our industry has always adapted to changing technologies, evolving regulations, shifting public expectations, and new energy demands. I believe the future will continue to require innovation, collaboration, and a willingness to embrace change. The responsibility of today's leaders is to prepare the next generation by sharing knowledge, developing talent, and creating an environment where new ideas can thrive. Events like BPW play an important role by encouraging conversations about what's next for our industry and how we can be ready for it.

6. What makes BPW special in comparison to other conferences and events?

It's special because it's not a conference, it's a workshop! At a conference, participants attend presentations and listen to experts. At BPW, everyone is part of the conversation. The workshop format encourages dialogue, questions, and debate. There is a level of openness and collaboration that is difficult to find elsewhere. Whether you're a student attending for the first time or a senior industry leader with decades of experience, everyone has an opportunity to contribute. That willingness to engage, learn, and share is what makes BPW so special and why so many people return year after year.