Shellie Clark, Operations Director for Tenaris in Canada, shared valuable leadership perspectives and industry insights at the Women in Manufacturing Forum. Tenaris
Shellie Clark, Operations Director for Tenaris in Canada, joined manufacturing leaders from across the country at the Powering Production: Championing Women in Manufacturing Forum, where she participated in the panel discussion, Workplace Champions and Allies – Accelerating Women’s Success in Manufacturing.
Joined by Phil Sadler, Vice President of Administration at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, the session explored how leaders and allies can help women advance in manufacturing careers and offered practical insights on attracting, developing, and retaining talent.
With more than two decades of experience across the energy, manufacturing and tubular industries, Clark believes that inclusion does not happen by accident and requires helping managers become better leaders. “Leaders need to engage more deliberately with their managers, not only to strengthen advocacy, but to improve management overall. That means examining the systems and relationships that shape employees’ careers and actively coaching managers to recognize and address unconscious bias,” shared Clark.
She also spoke about the role sponsorship played in her own career, describing how senior leaders who recognized her capabilities advocated for her, expanded her network and supported her progression. “It’s not simply about having supporters; it’s about knowing who advocates for you when you’re not in the room,” she said. Understanding those perceptions can help employees close gaps, strengthen relationships and continue growing professionally.
Over the years, Clark has held numerous leadership roles spanning engineering design, strategic planning, commercial management and industrial operations. Today, she leads Tenaris in Canada’s coating and premium threading and accessories operations across Alberta.
Clark emphasized that creating more inclusive workplaces requires intentional action across hiring, development, and leadership. “Meaningful growth comes from consistent coaching, feedback and leadership support—not training alone. The most effective way to retain women is to show them that career growth can take many forms and that opportunities exist in whatever direction they choose,” Clark said.
For Clark, leaders shape culture by listening to employees, understanding their day-to-day experiences and modelling inclusive behavior through their actions. This responsibility also extends to men as allies. Rather than placing the burden for change on women, Clark said organizations need to engage leaders around them to examine their own perceptions, behaviors and assumptions.
Sadler shared lessons from Toyota’s efforts to strengthen representation and development opportunities across its workforce, including examining hiring practices, challenging unconscious bias, and bringing different perspectives into decision making processes.
For Tenaris employees, Clark’s remarks offered practical leadership lessons that extend beyond any one role or industry. “We must create the conditions for people to succeed,” she said. “That means listening, investing in their development, removing barriers and ensuring leaders actively support their progress.”