Experiences, Challenges, and Successes of Women in the Oil & Gas Industry

The Dallas Geological Society strives to be a diverse, inclusive, and equitable society, one where all volunteers and members, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feel valued and respected. We believe that diverse life experiences and heritages add value to DGS and the world that we live and work in. In that spirit, February’s talk will explore the experiences, challenges, and successes of women in the oil and gas industry.

Title: Experiences, Challenges, and Successes of Women in the Oil & Gas Industry

Moderator: Ashleigh Everett, Sr. Vice President & General Counsel, Hunt Oil Company. Additionally, Ms. Everett sits on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for Hunt Oil Company.

Panelists:

• Patty Abney, Chief Geologist, New Tech Global, and former DGS President. Ms. Abney entered industry in 1982      but took a 13-year hiatus to raise her children, before returning to industry in 2000.
• Kathleen Wadkins, Geologist III, Hunt Oil Company. Ms. Wadkins will share not only her own experience as an early-career geologist, but also of her great-great-great aunt, and AAPG-recognized Pioneering Woman of Petroleum Geology, Reba Masterson (1882-1969).
• Jessica Wold, Geological Advisor, Blackbeard Operating Co., and former President of FWGS and SWS AAPG. Ms. Wold provides perspective and observations from working at companies of every scale: large (Exxon), medium (XTO), and small (Blackbeard).

Key Objectives of the Discussion:

• Provide perspectives and experiences unique, or particularly common, to women in the oil and gas industry.
• Highlight the challenges (and any advantages?) experienced due to stereotypes.
• Characterize changes in trends & attitudes towards women in industry over the decades.
• Provide templates of success to other women—especially young women—and decision makers.
• Discuss how men have aided the panelists’ career and how men can be supportive resources to women in industry.