Operational leadership: Meet three powerhouse women leading our downstream operations
A cornerstone of our integrated company is our downstream business, which transforms oil into essential products we use every day. Cenovus’s downstream operations include upgrading and refining assets, including a heavy oil upgrader and asphalt refinery in Lloydminster and refining assets throughout the U.S., including the Toledo Refinery. Heather Sazdov, Patty Hill and Heidi Hurst have each made a significant impact on our operations, while continuing to grow their own operational leadership capabilities. Their evolving leadership has not only boosted the safety performance, reliability and efficiency of their respective sites, but also nurtured a culture of continuous improvement and innovation across our Downstream business.
Heather Sazdov, Vice-President, Canadian Downstream Manufacturing
Heather began her journey as a process engineer in Fort McMurray and has since built an impressive career taking on various roles with a special focus on downstream operations. With over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry in upstream and downstream operations as well as corporate functions like supply chain, environment and health and safety. Heather has led multiple transformative and large-scale projects – most recently, the Lloydminster Upgrader’s largest turnaround to-date. "The complex and dynamic nature of on-site leadership is a draw for me," Heather shares. "Field-based roles demand adaptability and resilience yet allow us to see short term impacts of our ideas and work."
Heather underscores the importance of mentorship and self-reflection for career success. "A core responsibility of leaders is to develop and mentor their teams. My passion for leadership has grown from mentorship by some of the industry’s best leaders. I now pay this forward. An employee’s responsibility is to define what they are looking to achieve and be open to feedback," she explains. "When my team members know where they want to develop and show interest, I am deeply committed to supporting them to learn and grow. When we get the best from our employees and leaders, we get the best for the business and the business performance follows."
Patty Hill, Director, Lloydminster Refinery
Patty began her career as a summer student in our upstream operations in Lloydminster and is currently the Director for the Lloydminster Asphalt Refinery. The refinery has been a vital part of the community for over 75 years, processing heavy oil into more than 30 different types and grades of road asphalt.
Over the course of 27 years in the industry, she has held various positions in upstream and downstream operations, gaining extensive knowledge of the business. She spent 19 years in the upstream business in the Lloydminster area including production, completions and projects before transitioning to the downstream business. Working across multiple assets in both operations and service organization roles has shaped her leadership style and allowed her to grow the skills she uses in her position as Director of our Lloydminster Refinery.
"Building relationships and trusting your abilities are essential for personal and career growth," Patty emphasizes. "I encourage women aspiring to advance their careers to believe in themselves and seize every opportunity. Often, self-doubt can hold women back from pursuing advancement in the workplace. Women should not shy away from leadership, but it is also okay if it's not the right path for them," she advises. "True leadership comes from introspection and understanding that everyone brings unique perspectives, personalities and experiences to the table."
Heidi Hurst, Vice-President, Toledo Refinery
Heidi joined Cenovus in 2022 as vice-president of the Toledo Refinery when Cenovus announced the intent to acquire the refinery. Working with her leadership team, Heidi has helped lead the staff through the transition to Cenovus, the safe one-time refinery restart in June 2023, and the development and implementation of a business improvement plan focused on safe, compliant, reliable, efficient and profitable operations.
She is a transformational leader who believes in situational leadership and credits her success to a willingness to take on new challenges. “Know your superpowers, and don’t be afraid to take a risk. Taking on new challenges and daring to try new things allows you to stretch and grow as a person and as a leader,” she says. “It also allows you the opportunity to deliver significant value for your organization and company. It is also important to build your mentor network along the way and stay connected to them for ongoing mentorship.”
At Cenovus, we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and advance in their careers. We are proud to have three female leaders like Heidi, Heather and Patty leading the way, inspiring others and shaping the future of the energy industry.
LAST UPDATED: MARCH 2025