Emma Priestner: Welding Educator & Women of Steel Advocate
Take a break, we’re on Smoko. This week, we’re joined by Emma Priestner, a Technical Education Specialist with the CWB Foundation and a passionate advocate for inclusivity and access in skilled trades education.
Emma shares her personal journey—from her first exposure to welding at a Women of Steel workshop to leading impactful education programs across Western Canada. She reflects on how welding became not only a career path, but also a platform for driving change.
“Every weld tells a story. Every spark is a moment of learning, growth, and resilience.” – Emma Priestner
We dive into the transformative power of the Women of Steel initiative, designed to provide safe, supportive environments for women and non-binary individuals to explore and build careers in welding. Emma also discusses the CWB Foundation’s other programs, including:
- Arcs and Sparks – Aimed at Indigenous youth
- Mind Over Metal – Welding workshops for students and adults
- Educator Training – Supporting instructors with tools to teach trades more effectively
Beyond the shop, Emma is the founder of Hashira Ladies, an organization that fosters representation in motorsport drifting. Her efforts extend to building safe and inclusive communities in yet another traditionally male-dominated space.
This episode is a celebration of resilience, hands-on education, and the people rewriting what leadership looks like in trades and technical fields.