What are your name, title, organization and accountability?

I'm Lorena A. Hegdal, Pipeline Advisor for the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (APSC). I provide advice, technical support and facilitation to the Pipeline Manager and all the Operations and Maintenance Supervisors at the seven operating pump stations along the 800-mile pipeline. When there are issues, I bring together all the parties involved and we create solutions that work for everyone.

When and why did you attend WLC (Women Leading Change)?

Two co-workers attended Women Leading Change in California and it had an enormous impact on them. They went forward to management (up to the CEO) and he approved their request to bring WLC to APSC. They arranged the program so that some non-profits in our area could send representatives too. In addition to having company employees from Anchorage, Fairbanks and Valdez, a person from the Girl Scouts, the Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the United Way attended . I became more connected to many new people within APSC and in the local community.

What skills have you used the most since the program(s)?

I've used the concepts of 'trading up' and also 'leaving baggage' (no preconceived ideas) for meetings. When I choose to 'trade up' I consciously look at replacing any automatic, limited assumptions and beliefs I have with ones that will be more beneficial and powerful for me (and those with whom I work). When I 'leave baggage' I replace preconceived ideas with being open to what might be possible in my work with others.

What results are you most proud of having produced at work? What did the results allow for?

I'm most proud of keeping a positive attitude and not engaging (getting trapped in) negative comments or discussions. In one case, I was able to turn a person's perception from negative to at least neutral by explaining the reasoning for certain decisions and taking the time to really listen to and actively address the individual's concerns. It was actually a big accomplishment to have the person move from negative to neutral on the topic at hand.

What results are you most proud of having produced anywhere else (optional).

I have two teenage sons. I now take the time to more carefully listen to them (and hear) what they're saying. This allows me to better evaluate true needs and provide more positive responses. One of my sons recently wrote an essay for his college-prep class on who has most influenced him: me! Before WLC, I would 'push' him to move forward in certain ways. I hoped he would let me know if my 'pushing' didn't work for him. After WLC, I became much more specific in communication with him. He now lets me know if I've gone too far in any way. The essay validated that he does understand I'm looking out for his best interest and he actually appreciates it.

What resources do you want from or do you have to offer the rest of the IWL community as you continue your leadership journey?

My resource support network, even within our own company, has greatly expanded just by attending WLC with other people in the company and community whom I did not previously know or know very well. A level of trust amongst the attendees definitely developed throughout the course.

The electronic newsletter is also informative. It keeps folks connected and reminds us to look back at what we learned during the training.

I also keep the WLC notebook on my desk and scan through it as a refresher. I've also shared information from the course to encourage others to take the opportunity to attend.

What I can offer is this: I'm a native Alaskan and have a passion for empowering Native Alaskan peoples. If any of you share this passion, I'd love to collaborate with you.

If anyone is interested in the APSC pipeline, Alaska, or the Alaskan native communities and cultures, I'd be happy to share what I know. I just returned from fishing the Copper River for King Salmon. I use a dip net, a native Alaskan way of catching fish by dragging it along the river bottom. It's almost blueberry-picking time, too. In our native culture, it's customary to share what we gather. I provide blueberries to some elderly neighbors who can no longer gather their own. Blueberries have wonderful medicinal properties. (More Photos)

I'd be happy to be a resource for IWL alumni who would like to know more. Lorena can be reached at