Powered by perseverance – and SEED: Michelle Van Every’s story

Michelle Van Every’s inspiring journey from single mother and student to seasoned operating engineer and mentor at Imperial’s Nanticoke Refinery showcases the transformative power of perseverance and community support.
Fueled by determination and assistance from the SEED program, Michelle overcame challenges in education, childcare and finances to build a successful career.
Now more than 20 years into her career at Imperial, she is a respected leader and advocate and gives back to her community by empowering youth and quietly shaping future talent through mentorship and example.

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3 min read

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When Michelle Van Every first walked through the gates of Imperial’s Nanticoke Refinery as a summer student in 2003, she couldn’t have imagined the full-circle journey that would unfold.

Today, with more than two decades of service, Michelle is not only a second-class operating engineer at the site — managing critical utilities like boilers, water treatment and compressed air — but also a mentor, role model and proud member of Six Nations of the Grand River.

Michelle’s path to success didn’t follow the traditional route. In her early 30s, while raising five young children, she made the life-changing decision to return to school after years of working various jobs.

“I was tired of going from job to job,” she recalls. “Then I saw an ad in the local paper on the reserve asking if you were mechanically inclined. It got me thinking: why not try something new?”

That ‘something new’ led her to Lambton College’s Chemical Production and Power Engineering Technology program in Sarnia, where she enrolled in 2002. It was a demanding time — balancing work, school and motherhood — but Michelle was determined. Her parents helped care for her youngest child, and she took on both evening classes and full-time schooling when needed.

“I’d work from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., then head to class at night. Eventually, I went full-time,” she says. “It was exhausting, but worth it.”

A key support in her journey was Imperial’s sponsorship of the SEED (Science, Education and Employment Development) program. SEED provided not only tuition and book funding, but also additional awards that helped Michelle afford housing and childcare while studying.

“SEED took the edge off financially and gave me space to focus,” she explains. “That kind of support makes a big difference, especially for people in our community.”

Michelle speaks passionately about the value SEED brings to Six Nations. She’s given back by speaking to students during school visits and career fairs, encouraging the next generation to explore opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.

Now one of the more experienced operators on site, Michelle has found herself mentoring newer hires — passing on her hard-earned knowledge, sometimes without even realizing it.

“One of the guys told me recently, ‘You showed me how to do this and that,’ and I didn’t even remember,” she laughs. “I guess you just do your job and don’t realize the impact you’re having.”

That quiet leadership is part of what makes Michelle such a valuable member of the team. She thrives on the camaraderie at Nanticoke and says it’s the people who’ve kept her inspired throughout the years.

“It’s like a second family. I’ve worked with some of the same people my whole career. Now we’ve got a new generation coming in. It’s a different energy, but still a strong team.”