Heidi Fortin-Trahan, Technorol Inc. | Women Breaking the Mold 2024

GRANBY, Quebec—As a young woman who sits on some major printing and graphic arts industry boards, Technorol Inc.'s Heidi Fortin-Trahan often stares directly across the table at older male colleagues.

The dynamic can be intimidating, and Fortin-Trahan, just three years into her work in the rubber space, still battles with impostor syndrome.

"I was really intimidated as I was the only women on one particular board with older men who are presidents of their companies," Fortin-Trahan said.

The coordinator of manufacturing and sustainable development projects at the Quebec-based roller covering firm also projects integrity, decisiveness, accountability, courage and personal growth.

She listens as she leads, and she fosters a working environment that is based on continuous improvement.

Her ambition and fresh perspective have helped Technorol to grow in the graphic arts and printing spaces as the company moves into its fourth decade.

The company produces rubber roller coverings and fabricates (cuts) blankets for the printing industry.

"We do the covering of the roller. The difference between print and industrial is that the quality needs to be much higher in print, as you know,"  Fortin-Trahan said.

"There is no room for error, and that is one of our strengths. We have an expertise in printing."

Technorol uses conventional nitrile rubber as well as EPDM.

Technorol manufactures its rubber roller coverings in Granby, and also maintains facilities in Montreal (for the cut blankets) and in Ontario. From its Ontario location, Technorol distributes other solvents and necessary chemicals for the printing industry.

As such, Fortin-Trahan has embraced her role in the sustainability realm for the company.

Fortin-Trahan said the company has purchased two other companies in the last year alone, boosting its employee numbers from about 30 people to 50 people today.

"So there is a lot of challenge there," she said. "In sustainability, we talk about the three R's: recycle, revalorization and reduce. I continuously ask these questions: what is entering our processes and what is coming out of our processes, and how can we reduce the input and our waste? I try to push this a lot."

With 80 companies in the rubber industry in Quebec, the board on which Fortin-Trahan sits—the CSMO Caoutchouc—is critical for collaborating on sustainability challenges faced by all companies in the rubber space.

The board is led by Lucie Bourgault, one of Fortin-Trahan's mentors.

"They have some really interesting sustainability projects, and I try to push them forward," she said.

Fortin-Trahan says "she loves how (Bourgault) leads and listens."

"I love the way she responds to colleagues," Fortin-Trahan said. "Sometimes there can be tension in meetings—for sure, there are situations that are more complicated than others—and I love the way she handles herself.

"When I am older, perhaps I will handle certain situations better. But I like the way she stands up for herself."

Fortin-Trahan also has taken much of her leadership style from her father, an entrepreneur with impressive industry expertise.

More importantly, her father is a humble man.

"He is really impressive as a person, I love his humility," she said. "And that is the most important quality that leaders can have. You can have knowledge, expertise ... but if I do not feel the humility, I have trouble with that.

"What inspires me is when someone is in an impressive position and they can still have a regular conversation with you. Talking with others and exchanging ideas with others is what I appreciate.

"And I try to realize my father's humility every day."

Fortin-Trahan said she realizes the rubber industry can be "not attractive at all."

"When you are a young woman, it's like we all want to go work elsewhere. I think the rubber industry, if you like challenges, is such an interesting industry," she said. "But it is not for the faint of heart. You cannot go into this industry and be shy ... you need to push yourself, get out of your comfort zone.

"Me, I love a challenge. You are going to need to make and set your place in this industry. And you will get comments along the way."

Years with company: 3

Years in rubber industry: 3

During my chemical engineering degree, I learned about a multitude of processes across various sectors, yet throughout those years, I rarely encountered discussions about rubber. Despite its presence in products like car tires, it remains an industry that is largely unknown.

Personally, I had the opportunity to delve into the rubber sector during an internship, and I was immediately captivated by its challenges, especially in terms of environmental impact. Following this internship, I approached Technorol and shared potential projects we could pursue together. And now it has been 3 years and looking back, it is evident that there was a strong fit both within the company and within the industry itself.

Over the course of those three years, I had the opportunity to work part-time while studying, which was incredibly enriching. It allowed me to apply theory directly in practical settings, enhancing my learning experience. Additionally, during those three years, I was approached by industry organizations to join their boards. Contributing ideas to these organizations, witnessing their implementation within the industry, and learning from inspiring industry leaders has been immensely fulfilling.

I strive to challenge my company and my co-workers every day by embodying a commitment to excellence and by recognizing competence around me. I believe in learning from those who excel in their roles and in passing on knowledge and insights whenever possible. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, I aim to contribute positively to the growth and success of both the company and the industry.

I am inspired by individuals who demonstrate qualities like integrity, decisiveness, accountability, courage and personal growth. These attributes are what I strive to embody and develop on my own leadership journey. To achieve this, I actively listen and learn from those I admire, seeking to apply their wisdom in my daily life and professional endeavors.

I'm definitely more of a book enthusiast, so one book I would highly recommend is "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." I read it right after finishing my chemical engineering degree, just before starting work full-time and it truly established a benchmark for who I aspire to become now that the studying part is done, and the career part is officially starting.

When reflecting on the significant challenges I've encountered, I avoid labeling them as "failures" because these experiences have been invaluable learning opportunities for me. I find the term "failure" carries negative connotations, yet these moments consistently lead to positive outcomes and personal growth.

Currently, one of my major challenges is overcoming impostor syndrome. By being a young woman in a male-dominated industry, I sometimes receive comments that provoke self-doubt.

Nevertheless, growing up with a successful serial entrepreneur as my father and a mother who inspired me to be a career-driven woman, has equipped me with valuable skills. These upbringing influences have taught me, amongst other things, to surround myself with inspiring individuals from whom I can learn. One such inspirational figure is Lucie Bourgault, who leads CSMO Caoutchouc, a significant organization in the heavily male-dominated rubber industry in Quebec, Canada. When impostor syndrome creeps in, I find solace in asking myself, "How would Lucie respond?" This method always provides perspective!

To perform at my best, it's crucial to prioritize taking time for myself. This often involves activities like reading a good book or gravel biking. These are the moments where I truly recharge my batteries.

For me, success is having peace of mind—a sense of contentment and fulfillment that comes from achieving personal and professional harmony. It's about feeling confident in the decisions made and knowing that I've contributed positively to my goals and responsibilities.