Kealey Martin

Kealey Martin (B.Comm.(Co-op.)(Hons.)’04, MBA’07)

Vice-president, sustainability and climate strategy, Fortis Inc.

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Burin, N.L.

What is your current employment role?

I have been working with Fortis (between Newfoundland Power, Fortis Properties and the corporate office) for 20 years since getting my commerce degree. I’ve been fortunate to have had many different roles and a vast range of focus areas while still being able to live in our beautiful province.

In my current role, I collaborate with investors and our subsidiary teams across North America to advance initiatives and reporting focused on sustainability and climate change.

Why did you choose the Faculty of Business Administration at Memorial?

While I knew I wanted to do business, I did consider attending other universities in Atlantic Canada. In doing my research, I found no compelling reason that the education would be any better than what I would get here at home, at Memorial. It was a good decision.

After doing my undergraduate degree, I went back to do my MBA, also at Memorial.

How did the business faculty prepare you for your career?

I have to highlight the teamwork and group assignments. We didn’t always get to pick our partners and while it led to challenging assignments, it prepared us to work in a team environment. I learned how to have difficult (yet productive) conversations, the efficiency of working as a team, but most importantly, the power of leaning on each other’s strengths. These are basic, yet powerful skills that can help anyone’s career.

What did you initially hope to do for a career and how does that align with your current employment?

I never dreamed I would be doing sustainability and climate change strategy with a business degree and an accounting designation. That was not on my radar!

It shows that a business degree gives you the fundamentals to take on many different roles within an organization and across a variety of industries. 

My family is entrepreneurial, and I always felt I would go in that direction. I took my first job with Fortis at Newfoundland Power and have not looked back.

What is a highlight in your time at the business faculty?

Competing in the case competition for Memorial at Queen’s University ICBC’s in 2004. We received bronze in accounting. I learned so much from that experience —presentation skills, how to (and knowing when to) pivot quickly and how to respond to tough questions.

Fun fact: my partner for this event is still one of my best friends today!

What was your favourite or most memorable class?

Business Communications class had to be one of my favourites. One assignment had us presenting on something or someone very special to us. I remember getting emotional at the heart-felt presentations being delivered by my classmates. 

How were your professors? Do you have any memorable ones?

All of the accounting professors were special but Dr. Peggy Coady has to be the standout. She coached us when we represented Memorial at the ICBC competition and put in so many extra hours to ensure we did well.

Tell us about any extracurricular activities you were involved in and how they enhanced your experience.

Being involved in extracurricular activities made a great experience at the business faculty even better. I made lifelong friendships and created a network that I value to this day.

One of the bigger activities was that I co-chaired the graduation committee. Not sure it was because I was excited to be done or wanted to ensure we would have a great party – definitely both!

How did your experience at the business faculty help you find your first position after graduation?

The co-op program was the reason I found my first job after I graduated. My last two work terms of my commerce degree were with Newfoundland Power. After graduating, I was offered a one-year position and I’m still with Fortis (Newfoundland Power’s parent company) today.

I encourage students to make the most of your work terms. The co-op program is a great opportunity for students to make connections and showcase your dedication and talents.

What community organizations do you currently support? How do they align with your values?

I’m currently very active with Special Olympics here in Newfoundland and Labrador. I’m currently the treasurer for the board. My involvement has brought me a lot of joy. Our athletes are so dedicated and bring so much passion to the sports. It’s a pleasure to support their activities and to root for their success.

What’s the best business decision you’ve ever made? How so?

My best decision was to branch outside of accounting and take a job that focused on hotel acquisitions and operations. While I loved accounting, I had my sights set on expanding into different areas of Fortis.

My accounting background has been very useful as my career progressed, solidifying that accounting doesn’t need to always look the same. The skills it provides can be very useful in all parts of the business.

What’s the best personal decision you’ve ever made? How so?

I met my husband while on vacation in Cuba (he is also a Newfoundlander though!) so I have to go with taking that vacation to be my best personal decision.

What advice do you have for business students as they consider their futures?

Be open to learning new things and growing – life is not meant to be a repetition!

Try not to overthink things or focus on obstacles to success. There will be obstacles along your path but worry about them at the right time. Focus on the smaller steps that move you forward.

What have you done that you would say had the greatest impact on your career?

Trying new things!  I’ve never been afraid to take a job that required a steep learning curve. I left Newfoundland Power to join the hotel business (Fortis Properties at the time) and later took on roles within investor relations and sustainability. I went into all roles with an open mind and an eagerness to learn. You can achieve many things with this combination.

What gives you the greatest sense of satisfaction?

Seeing others around me grow and achieve their goals, both at work and at home.

Our family has a tradition of setting annual goals each New Year’s Eve. We don’t always achieve them but we love celebrating the ones that we do achieve. My son has been doing this since he was seven years old and I love hearing his goals so that we can support his success.

What do you believe is your greatest accomplishment?

My son. He is now 14 years old and like any parent, I am so proud of him.  He was born with club feet and had a stroke at birth.  He had a tough start in life but he is so resilient and you would never guess that he had those health issues if you met him.

What else would you like to accomplish in your career?

I’ve always been one to be grateful for the moment but also one to look around the corner. I’m not sure where the path is going to take me but I know there is more to accomplish. I’ll be ready and eager to take on whatever is next.

If you could pick one thing in the entire world to spend your time doing, what would it be?

Sitting on the side of the pond at my cabin with my family in front of a campfire.

Tell us a random fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess.

I’ve transformed into a big hockey fan! I was never big into hockey growing up but my son became obsessed with Pittsburg Penguins when he was two years old. Now I’m hooked. Our family are big Sidney Crosby fans and our dog is even named Sidney!