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Energy Workforce & Technology Council 90th Anniversary
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Empowering the Future: 2023 Energy Workforce Program Graduates Honored at Graduation

Marie Merle Caekebeke, Baker Hughes; Daniel West, SCF Partners

Energy Workforce’s executive training cohorts graduated last week in ceremonies highlighting accomplishments and focus areas for the upcoming year.

Based on the Energy Workforce’s mission to advance the industry and those within it, these programs educate, empower and elevate its individual members and Member Companies. The programs include Executive Leadership and ESG Certification. Congratulations to all the graduates!

During the ESG Certification Program graduation, keynotes included Dan Romito, Pickering Energy Partners, and Dan West, SCF Partners. ESG Committee Chair Marie Caekebeke, Baker Hughes, facilitated the event.

Romito addressed the top 10 ESG-related trends impacting strategy, providing his insights on what energy companies will be focusing on in 2024.

“Companies need to quantitatively showcase their efforts to reduce carbon emissions and prepare for potential carbon taxes. The energy industry, particularly in the U.S., is a leader in global CO2 emissions management but industry needs to get its data house in order to effectively communicate its efforts and achievements in reducing those emissions.”

Dan Romito, Pickering Energy Partners

West focused on defining and confronting the “dual challenge” of meeting human flourishing and economic growth requiring energy, while also reducing emissions. In terms of implications for energy professionals and investors, he noted that energy transitions take a long time and require a lot of capital – and companies that choose the right technology opportunities now will benefit in the short and long term.

Ayodeji O. Daramola, Halliburton; Energy Workforce President Molly Determan; Birlie Bourgeois, Chevron; Don Bishop, Hunting; Energy Workforce President Tim Tarpley

Leadership building within the energy industry continues to be an area of expertise for Energy Workforce. The Executive Leadership Program, the longest running program from Energy Workforce, graduated its eighth cohort with representatives from more than 25 companies.

Emerging Executives Committee Chair Don Bishop, Hunting, facilitated the Executive Leadership Program graduation, kicking the day off by introducing Birlie Bourgeois, Chevron, who spoke to how to go from giving good feedback to giving great feedback.

“The way we have been trained to give feedback can often have long-term destructive effects, especially if you’re not being completely honest. You can’t just tell people what they want to hear, you have to tell people what they need to hear.”

Birlie Bourgeois, Chevron

Guest speaker Pearl Chu, SLB, highlighted the importance of developing communication and feedback skills to influence and drive team performance.

Pearl Chu, SLB

“Feedback can be given and received in many different ways. It’s a great skill to have, knowing how your team feels about receiving feedback. It makes a difference when you’re preparing for those conversations, especially for the difficult ones.”

Pearl Chu, SLB

Graduate and Emerging Executives Committee Member Lindsay Bechtel, GD Energy Products, gave a TED TALK on Evolving as a Leader and EWTC President, Molly Determan presented to the group on Values Driven Leadership and facilitated an exercise where participants identified their values.

The Emerging Leadership graduation day ended with a speed mentoring exercise, a real-time opportunity for leadership to offer instant feedback and guidance to the program graduates. The one-on-one mentoring sessions created an intimate environment to discuss growth, leadership and development.

Energy Workforce President Molly Determan; Don Bishop, Hunting; Lindsay Bechtel, GD Energy Products; Energy Workforce President Tim Tarpley; Ayodeji O. Daramola, Halliburton

Graduates throughout the programs expressed strong desires to champion their gained knowledge within their companies and create learning opportunities for others. Equipping current and future leaders with tools in leadership, sustainability and ESG evolves the energy industry and enhances its position as a driver of the global economy. Mentorship and executive coaching were mentioned by several participants as being one of the greatest take-aways.

“This program taught me the benefits and importance of mentoring and coaching, as I’ve never had this in a formal setting like in this course. Both of these served me very well, and I plan to continue both relationships formed during these sessions.”

Program Participant

Enrollment in the 2024 program cohorts is open, and the Energy Workforce encourages its Member Companies to engage their workforce with these programs. Early bird pricing is available.

Contact Vice President Programs & Events Peggy Helfert if you would like to be enrolled in the EWTC Workforce Development year-long programs, or register below:

THANK YOU STRATEGIC PARTNERS

Chevron
Nextier
SLB

Peggy Helfert, Vice President Programs & Events, writes about the Energy Workforce’s sector-specific best practices and leadership. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
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