Women Transforming Energy: Viktoria Pellegrino

In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we are shining a spotlight on the women of Quorum who are transforming the business of energy through technology. This spotlight features Director Viktoria Pellegrino from our Calgary office.

Tell us about your current role?
I oversee the Sales team in the Canadian region. I have the honor of working with a group of highly talented individuals who work with our Canadian clients to add value.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received and who did it come from?
Early in my career, one of my leaders said, “If you don’t ask, the answer is no.” This nugget of wisdom has stuck with me through the years. It encourages me to stay curious and not be afraid to ask for what I want, or think is right. The key is to think about in the context of the other person’s goals and how I can align with that.

Who inspires you and why?
I am inspired by the everyday actions and grit from the people around me. I am fortunate to see examples of people doing the right thing every day, working through difficult problems, and balancing challenges in their personal lives and at work. I am inspired by people who are faced with challenges just like me and overcome them and become better people as a result.

What keeps you at Q?
I love that Quorum continues to grow and innovate. There is never a dull moment at Quorum! We have a powerful ability to support an industry that is going through profound transformation and is under immense pressure while delivering critical energy to the people all over the world. Our breadth of offering to the energy industry and investment in continued growth is difficult to match. We have a fantastic team that loves to help our clients be successful and great relationships with stakeholders in the energy industry.

What have you done to develop high performing teams?
I focus on helping team members understand their strengths so they can confidently maximize them. This approach has helped our team preform at their best. We also set goals on new ways to achieve the best results we can deliver. Listening to our team’s feedback and being transparent develop trust-based relationships. All these elements are key to us doing our best work and loving what we do.

What has Q done to support your career / growth?
Quorum continues to give me new challenges to help me grow. I am constantly tackling new projects and initiatives to improve what we do for our team and our clients. This gives me the opportunity to understand my strengths and determine where I want to take my career and how I can provide value along the way.

What is your favorite memory at Q?
There are so many. I love the moments when I see someone achieve something they have been working so hard for. I love getting our teams together to have some fun and get to know each other better. I also love when we help a client realize some pretty impressive results and celebrate that success with them. It’s the multitude of these moments that makes Quorum a great place to work.

What advice do you have for women just starting their career?
Be brave and voice your ideas on how to better things and how to add value. Too often I see women assume people think more negatively of our ideas then they actually do. Empathy and putting yourself in other people’s shoes are a huge asset when you’re looking for support. Surround yourself with other women who help you overcome these challenges and that you admire. People are more willing to help then you may realize.