Courtney Christopher leads SRP materials management and mentors women in trades

Courtney Christopher, a Salt River Project materials management supervisor in Queen Creek, Arizona, has built a career that moved from records and water construction to journeyman electrician and warehouse leadership. Her profile also spotlights her work mentoring women in male-dominated trades and leadership roles.

Why it matters: - Courtney Christopher’s career shows how technical training and leadership can grow into operational management at a major utility. - Her work mentoring women in trades adds another layer of impact by helping widen access to skilled careers. - Christopher’s path also highlights the value of apprenticeship, persistence and internal advancement for workers seeking long-term mobility.

What happened: - Courtney Christopher is a Materials Management Supervisor at Salt River Project in Queen Creek, Arizona. - She oversees two of SRP’s warehouses. - Christopher has worked at SRP since 2015. - Her career at SRP has spanned office administration, skilled trades and leadership roles. - Her profile was featured by Influential Women. - Her Influential Women profile is available online.

The details: - Christopher started at SRP in graphic records after prior work in the medical field. - She then moved into a trades helper role and gained hands-on experience in water construction and maintenance. - Christopher later completed an apprenticeship to become a Substation Journeyman Electrician. - Over four years, she finished 8,000 hours of technical training while raising three children. - Her journeyman training covered DC and AC electrical theory, power transmission and distribution systems, and the safe use of tools and heavy equipment. - Christopher also followed strict safety protocols during her technical training and field work. - After working as a journeyman, she moved into materials management. - In that role, Christopher focuses on warehouse efficiency, accountability and continuous improvement. - Christopher holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Leadership from The University of Arizona Global Campus. - She is currently pursuing further studies in Organizational Management.

Between the lines: - Christopher’s story reflects a broader challenge in trades: women often enter environments where they have to prove competence under added scrutiny. - Her response was steady performance, professionalism and results rather than confrontation. - Her leadership style emphasizes communication, resilience and creating opportunities for others to grow. - Christopher is a founding member and former chair of Delta Connected, an employee resource group for mentoring women in male-dominated industries. - The profile frames mentorship and visibility as tools for helping women build confidence and advance in technical fields.

What’s next: - Christopher is continuing to pursue Organizational Management studies. - She will keep leading warehouse operations at SRP while mentoring emerging professionals. - Her message to young women entering technical fields is to trust their skills, set clear goals and stay focused despite outside pressure. - Christopher also encourages using discomfort as a signal for growth and development.

The bottom line: - Courtney Christopher’s career blends technical credibility, operational leadership and advocacy for women in trades.