Great Concordian: Sue Molloy, pioneering entrepreneur and ocean engineer

Growing up in Ireland and spending a lot of time in and on the water, Sue Molloy, BEng 98, developed a deep-rooted connection to the ocean.

“My journey began with a passion for boat design, but it evolved into a quest for efficiency and optimization,” says the founder and CEO of Glas Ocean Electric, a Halifax-based company that converts marine diesel engines to electric power.

The holder of master’s and doctoral degrees in ocean engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Molloy also lectures at Dalhousie University as an adjunct professor. Her accomplishments are a powerful example for her engineering students, particularly considering that women still only comprise 15 per cent of the profession, according to Engineers Canada.

Glas Ocean Electric’s success and commitment to sustainability in marine transportation has earned Molloy acclaim and recognition.

A past Concordia 50 under 50 honouree and winner of Nova Scotia’s Lieutenant-Governor’s Award of Excellence in Engineering, her expertise is regularly called on by policymakers and government officials.

At trade missions and events such as the 2023 Canada-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit in Ottawa, Molloy has been invited to champion the role that small businesses like hers can play to advance a more resilient future through sustainable practices.

The Great Concordian is sanguine about her work. She notes that the Atlantic provinces alone have tens of thousands of boats that can be converted to clean energy, which would have a marked impact on harmful emissions.

Despite the scale of the challenge — a huge part of which is stakeholder engagement and buy-in — she projects confidence about the feasibility of the transition.

“My background has equipped me with the tools to analyze and make decisions based on measured data,” Molloy remarks. “When faced with dire climate projections, I focus on the evolving landscape of clean tech and the growing recognition of the need for sustainable solutions.”

When you reflect on your time as a Concordia student, what stands out?

Sue Molloy: What I loved about Concordia was the sense of community. It was a vibrant place where students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines could interact freely.

I love to paint so another memorable aspect of my experience was the fact that I was given the opportunity to take courses in the Faculty of Fine Arts. That made my time as an undergraduate student extra special.

What are some of the factors that have enabled your success?

SM: Concordia definitely provided a solid foundation, with a supportive environment that encouraged exploration and growth. Various mentors and professors provided invaluable guidance along the way.

One of those mentors has been my dad, a scientist and incredible source of encouragement. I got enough support at a young age that, later, when I was often the only woman in the room and was confronted with some pretty overt sexism, I was able to find the resilience to keep going. Thanks to both my parents supporting and advocating for me and supervisors like Subhash Rakheja and Suong Van Hoa from Concordia and Neil Bose from MUN pushing me to grow, I have been able to build my belief in the value I bring to my work.

What advice do you have for students who may want to follow in your footsteps?

SM: For students, and notably women in STEM, I would definitely advise them to go out and find a supportive community. In male-dominated professions, it is crucial to connect with women who can offer empathy, guidance and validation.

Even though progress has been made in terms of representation, there is still a real imbalance. This makes it essential to seek out mentors who can relate to your experiences, provide support and open doors for you.

How does it feel to be a Great Concordian?

SM: It’s a tremendous honour and very humbling. I’m deeply grateful to Concordia for considering me for this distinction. It’s a testament to the opportunities and support I received during my time at the university, and I’m really proud to be part of such a distinguished group of alumni.