John Wilson (00:00)
It's great to have you with us.

Josie Erzetic (00:03)
Great to be here, John. Thanks for having me.

John Wilson (00:06)
Josie, what first sparked your interest in the intersection of law, energy, and public safety? What really triggered you?

Josie Erzetic (00:10)
I'd say I’m a bit of a policy and regulatory nerd! I've always been drawn to public policy, and energy is such a critical part of that. Especially now, with the shift to clean, reliable, and affordable electricity, it's never been more important.

John Wilson (01:01)
How does your legal background shape your leadership style as the CEO of ESA?

Josie Erzetic (01:11)
Legal training teaches you to think strategically and assess risk. That’s central to how I lead. It’s about spotting issues early, using data and evidence to make decisions, and ensuring a strong governance framework supports those decisions.

John Wilson (02:48)
How has your data-driven mindset transformed ESA’s impact? Can you give us an example?

Josie Erzetic (03:02)
One great example is our risk-based oversight model. We use algorithms to identify high-risk installations for inspection. Another is our targeted safety campaigns — especially focused on young men, who are statistically more at risk. Our power line and EV safety campaigns have won awards because they’re rooted in real data.

John Wilson (04:33)
What’s been the biggest challenge moving from regulatory roles to CEO?

Josie Erzetic (04:47)
The shift from peer-based collaboration to being the final decision-maker was a big adjustment. You move from being a “doer” to being the “director.” It’s about building trust, having a strong team, and leaning on a great board.

John Wilson (05:49)
How do you keep your team bold and innovative in a risk-averse field like safety regulation?

Josie Erzetic (06:01)
Being innovative doesn’t mean reckless risk-taking. It means listening, collaborating, and anticipating future needs. From energy storage to electrification, we need to evolve codes and build psychological safety in our teams so they feel empowered to challenge the status quo.

John Wilson (08:09)
What role does culture play in how ESA delivers public safety?

Josie Erzetic (08:19)
Culture is foundational. As Drucker said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Our cultural attributes — safety, accountability, inclusiveness, courage — are embedded in hiring, performance, onboarding, even daily meetings. Without a strong culture, strategy is just words on a page.

John Wilson (11:01)
If you could give one piece of advice to someone entering the energy sector today, what would it be?

Josie Erzetic (11:20)
Build a strong peer support network. The energy sector is going through a massive transformation. Whether you're in generation, transmission, or regulation — it’s all hands on deck. Be curious, keep learning, and evolve with the industry.

John Wilson (12:26)
Thank you so much, Josie. We appreciate you joining us on the CEO Global Network Podcast.

Josie Erzetic (12:37)
It was my pleasure. Thanks, John.