Josie Erzetic, president and CEO of the Electrical Safety Authority, has received the 2025 Leader of the Year Award from Electricity Human Resources Canada, recognizing her approach to workforce development during a period of rapid change in Ontario’s electricity sector.
EHRC presented the award at its Annual Awards of Excellence on Feb. 19 in Toronto.
What the award recognizes
The EHRC Leader of the Year Award honours individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and make a meaningful contribution to building Canada’s electricity workforce. EHRC’s evaluation panel described Erzetic as a “clear visionary,” citing her ability to improve communication across ESA and build a culture of trust.
Leadership priorities at ESA
Erzetic leads more than 550 employees across Ontario. Under her direction, ESA has prioritized internal culture as a foundation for its public safety mandate, focusing on creating an environment where employees feel free to share ideas and contribute to the organization’s strategy.
ESA has also introduced several operational changes, including expanded use of data to target inspections, a remote inspections app, a self-serve licensing platform, and streamlined processes to support faster storm response.
“ESA is a small organization with an ambitious mandate,” Erzetic said. “Our impact comes from our dedicated employees and our culture of collaboration. That collaborative ethos applies both to how we work together and with others across the electricity sector, as well as Ontario’s business and manufacturing communities.”
What it means for HR leaders
For HR professionals, Erzetic’s recognition highlights the growing emphasis on people-focused leadership in regulated industries. Arjan Arenja, chair of ESA’s board, said her work has had a “real and lasting impact” by building a culture that supports both public safety and internal collaboration.
The Electrical Safety Authority administers regulations under Ontario’s Electricity Act, 1998, covering the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, electrician licensing, and electrical product safety.
