Jade Lynn Woods championing Indigenous opportunities at OPG
At a glance
- OPG employee Jade Lynn Woods is a Project Lead with Darlington Nuclear Projects.
- The member of Curve Lake First Nation returned to the energy industry after a four-year hiatus thanks in large part to OPG’s Indigenous Opportunities Network (ION), which works to recruit and place skilled members from Indigenous backgrounds in jobs within the energy sector.
- Woods is now championing the program that helped transform her career by helping Indigenous candidates overcome barriers.
OPG’s Jade Lynn Woods is working to give back to the program that helped pave the way for her return to the energy industry.
Now a Project Lead with the Darlington Nuclear Projects team, the member of Curve Lake First Nation is helping raise awareness of OPG’s Indigenous Opportunities Network (ION) program and championing the recruitment of talented Indigenous candidates.
Before her current role, Woods spent eight years working as a construction field inspector and subcontractor for OPG. After stepping away from the industry for four years to dedicate time to her family, she felt ready to re-enter the workforce. While exploring the Hiawatha First Nation’s community website, Woods discovered the ION program.
Launched in 2018, ION works with Kagita Mikam, an Indigenous employment agency, to recruit and place skilled and qualified members from Indigenous backgrounds in jobs within the energy sector. So far, the program has placed more than 190 Indigenous workers in positions across the industry, helping to build critical Indigenous capacity.
Soon after hearing about ION, Woods began the application process and, with the support of Kagita Mikam, she began a year-long journey back into the industry. The ION program helped her update her certifications, paid for the required courses, and supported her in applying for roles at OPG.
“Through ION, I’ve witnessed first-hand how meaningful programs can create pathways for success and help individuals reach their potential,” said Woods. “This initiative not only generates opportunities but builds bridges that empower communities. It's a testament to what's possible when collaboration, mentorship and inclusion come together.”
Through ION, I’ve witnessed first-hand how meaningful programs can create pathways for success and help individuals reach their potential.Jade Lynn WoodsProject Lead at OPG
Her first stint back at OPG was as a dedicated member of the Darlington Refurbishment Demobilization team. In this role, Woods worked on a range of projects at the Darlington Nuclear station, including transferring material from Darlington to Pickering Nuclear and demobilization tasks such as trailer removal and the deconstruction of the full-scale reactor mock-up at the site.
Leveraging this experience, she recently secured a full-time position with OPG as a Project Lead.
In addition to her day job, she serves as an ambassador for the ION program, helping raise awareness and recruit Indigenous candidates into the program that helped her. She has met with union leaders and directors, conducted cultural awareness initiatives, and given presentations about the ION program’s mission and successes.
In November 2024, Jade Lynn attended the annual Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario conference, where she shared her inspiring story of being an ION candidate and reflected on her experiences as an Indigenous woman working at Darlington. Her presentation highlighted her role and demonstrated the importance of mentorship and opportunities for personal growth through ION.
Woods’ involvement with ION reflects her commitment to giving back to the program that helped transform her career. And her efforts are helping Indigenous candidates overcome barriers to enter the energy sector, creating a ripple effect of opportunity and inclusion.
Learn more about ION and career opportunities at OPG here.
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