Friends and colleagues are mourning the death of Janet Holder, a long-time employee of Enbridge Inc., who in 2011 returned to Prince George, B.C. to lead the team in charge of the Northern Gateway project.

Holder, who retired from the company at the end of 2014, died Monday.

“Enbridge is a family, and today we mourn the loss of one of our own,” the company said in a statement. “Janet Holder touched the lives of us all and far beyond Enbridge.

“Janet was a pioneer — someone who rose to the top of her field at a time when the path was not always clear and not so easy,” said the company. “In doing so, she helped shape the future of our company and our industry.”

Holder, who held a degree in chemical engineering from the University of New Brunswick, had been president of Enbridge Gas Distribution prior to heading up Northern Gateway. She also served in senior roles in corporate management in Calgary and at Liquids Pipelines in Edmonton.

“Janet will be dearly missed by everyone at Enbridge,” said Al Monaco, Enbridge president and chief executive officer.

“In addition to Janet’s many personal and professional achievements, she exemplified our values of integrity and respect. She had a passion to serve and mentor others, and an amazing way of connecting with people. Janet taught many of us the importance of being positive and supportive of each other, no matter how big the challenge. Janet’s memory and legacy will live on at Enbridge, and for us personally, for many years to come,” he added.

“In life Janet was an enormous presence; in death, she leaves a profound legacy. Everyone at Enbridge mourns her loss, and we offer our deepest condolences to her husband Neal, her family and her many friends.”