Courtney Rohachuk, P.Eng.

Please tell us about your personal background.

I grew up in La Ronge with my mom, dad, brother, and sister. My dad’s job with SaskTel brought us there when I was just a toddler. After my parents divorced when I was 15, our family moved south and I came to Saskatoon for Grade 11. I’ve been here ever since.

I’m incredibly grateful for the years I spent in northern Saskatchewan and for the lifelong friendships that came from that chapter of my life. In fact, I still go camping every summer with friends I’ve known since kindergarten and their families.

Why did you choose engineering, and what is your area of specialty?

My decision to pursue engineering is a constant reminder of the impact that a simple conversation can have. A Grade 12 physics teacher saw something in me and asked whether I had ever considered engineering. At the time, it had never crossed my mind. I didn’t know many engineers and hadn’t been exposed to it as a career path. Looking back, my life would be very different if he hadn’t taken the time to ask that one question and encouraged me to consider the possibility. My choice of chemical engineering was an easy one once I decided to pursue engineering. Chemistry was always my favourite science.

Where and when did you study, and how would you describe that experience?

I started my chemical engineering degree at the University of Saskatchewan in September 2001, and my experience was incredible. I met one of my best friends in first year, and today we’re both at Nutrien and still get to collaborate on projects.

Throughout my program, I had several work terms that helped shape my career. I spent a summer as a research student, completed an internship in the oil sands in Fort McMurray, and later supported the construction of a SAGD facility in the same area. Those experiences gave me practical skills, built my confidence, and helped prepare me for industry.

What are some of the most interesting, rewarding, and/or challenging experiences you have had?

Interesting: One of the most interesting aspects of my career has been supporting a network of sites. While potash production follows many of the same principles, each site has processes that vary how they accomplish their objectives. Understanding those differences and helping transfer knowledge and learnings across the network has been fascinating. I enjoy bringing people together to solve problems, so having collaboration at the core of my role is something I find especially energizing.

Rewarding: One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been mentoring students and interns and then seeing them return to Nutrien as full-time employees. It’s incredibly fulfilling to watch someone gain confidence, develop their skills, and discover what they’re capable of. Knowing that I may have played a small role in their journey means a lot to me, especially because so many people did the same for me throughout my career.

Challenging: When I first started in industry, there were days when I wondered if I was cut out for it. Everything was new, from the environment and the work to the people around me. My first leader had an enormous influence on those early years. What helped me through that transition was the patience and generosity of colleagues who took the time to teach, coach, and support me. Their impact has stayed with me throughout my career, and I now try to be that person for others.

Another defining challenge was the industry layoffs in 2013. I was on maternity leave with my second child at the time, so I wasn’t experiencing the day-to-day atmosphere at site, but I saw firsthand the impact it had on colleagues, families, and entire communities. Everyone handles difficult situations differently, and unfortunately the world lost some dear colleagues during that period. To be honest, I also lost a part of myself during that time, and it took years to rebuild my confidence and perspective. The experience changed the way I viewed work, leadership, and what truly matters. Looking back, it taught me lessons I still carry today about resilience, empathy, and how we show up for one another during difficult times. Although I wasn’t a people leader then, it shaped the kind of leader I wanted to become. It taught me how I wanted to treat people, and just as importantly, how I never wanted people to feel. It remains one of the most significant learning experiences of my career.

What have you appreciated most about your engineering journey?

What I’ve appreciated most about my engineering journey is the people. Engineering has given me the opportunity to work alongside incredibly talented individuals who inspire me, support me, and encourage me to grow every day. I’ve also always loved learning, and the pilot plant is the perfect environment for that. There is always something new to explore, a different challenge to tackle, or an opportunity to see an idea come to life.

Over the last several years, I’ve moved into people leadership, which has pushed me well outside my comfort zone and helped me grow in entirely new ways. Supporting, developing, and empowering others has become a real passion of mine.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the mentors and teammates who invested in me, shared their experience, and encouraged me along the way. Their influence has shaped both my career and the leader I strive to be.

What activities or interests do you enjoy outside of work?

Outside of work, life is busy with four kids between the ages of 7 and 15 who play competitive soccer, so you can usually find me near a soccer field.

When I do get some free time, I enjoy running, playing co-ed soccer, snowboarding, and travelling. One of my favourite travel experiences was attending an F1 race in Monaco. I also enjoy signing up for random adventures. Whether it’s a Spartan race, bike race, or hiking trek, I’ll try almost anything once (unless it’s skydiving – I won’t do that haha).