Energy Workforce of the Future
Human resilience has long been the driving force behind innovation, and nowhere is this more critical than in shaping the energy workforce of the future. By integrating artificial intelligence with the tenacity of today’s workers, we are redefining how energy is produced, managed, and delivered. This summit celebrates the powerful collaboration between human ingenuity and cutting-edge technology, spotlighting how we can build a smarter, more sustainable energy future.
Agenda
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM | Registration, Breakfast & Networking
Kick off the day with a warm welcome, great food, and engaging conversations with industry peers. Connect, share ideas, and lay the groundwork for an exciting day of collaboration and innovation.
8:45 AM | Opening Remarks – Better Together
Chris Lacy, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Expand Energy
Katie Mehnert, CEO and Founder, ALLY Energy
Start the summit with an inspiring session on how unity and innovation shape American-made energy's future. Gain insights into strategies and partnerships driving transformational change.
9:15 AM | Real Talk, Real Solutions
Shan Escobar, Talent Planning & Learning Lead, Expand Energy
Kristine Gentry, CEO, Culture Grove
Engage in an interactive session designed to spark meaningful conversations and critical thinking. Share perspectives at your table while exploring topics such as the power of a growth mindset, learning from failure, and building mental resilience. Leave with actionable takeaways to boost your personal and professional potential.
10:00 AM | The Real Deal – That Dirty Word DEI
Katy Hall, Head of Diversity, NES Fircroft
Melody Kelleher, Vice President Talent Empowerment, Baker Hughes
Katie Mehnert, CEO and Founder, ALLY Energy
Join a candid discussion on the evolving state of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. This session confronts the challenges and opportunities of DEI as organizations grapple with societal shifts and corporate commitments. Explore its future and significance in modern business.
10:45 AM | Recharge & Reconnect
Before the next session, take a well-deserved break to rest, recharge, and connect with fellow attendees.
11:00 AM | Workforce Lunch Bowl - Empowering Tomorrow's Energy Leaders
Natalie Valentine, Senior Director of Operations, Worley
Jeff Gill, Head of Talent Development, CITGO
Ingrid Velasco, 2025 HECW Co-chair, Allies in Energy
Samhita Shah, Global Head of Industry Marketing, Energy & Utilities, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Experience a high-energy session over lunch! The "Fishbowl" discussion format to bring together attendees along with students to shape this year's 2025 Houston Energy and Climate Week festivities, including Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the career fair, and the hack-a-thon.
12:30 PM | Adversity – The Secret Sauce to Diversity
Adversity is an advantage. Dr. Paul Stoltz is the leading expert on AQ (adversity quotient), a measurable way to understand how we handle the world. We'll dive into how overcoming challenges fosters innovation and diversity within teams. This session explores how navigating setbacks drives creativity and inclusivity, inspiring a stronger and more dynamic workforce.
Katie Mehnert, CEO and Founder, ALLY Energy
Douglas Orr, Founder and President, Pioneer Leadership Advisors
Massiel Diez, Co-Founder of Flipping the Barrel
1:15 PM | M&Ms – The Future of Work: Minds and Machines
Vishal Mehta, Managing Director, Deloitte AI & Data Practice
Kumar Lakshmipathi, Generative AI Leader for Energy, Amazon Web Services
Cory Okeefe, CEO, Parallel
AI is transforming the modern workplace, creating human and machine synergy opportunities. Learn how AI is augmenting roles, automating processes, changing hiring and job searches, and pushing the boundaries of innovation. Thrive in the age of AI!
2:00 PM | Break
Take some time to relax and prepare for the day's final session.
2:15 PM | The Art of Falling Forward – How to Win at Losing
Learn how to turn setbacks into stepping stones for success. This session, filled with real-world examples and actionable insights, highlights how resilience fosters growth, drives innovation, and builds stronger teams.
Jennifer Richmond, Chief Strategy Officer, Wood
Beth Kobermann
3:00 PM | Summit Concludes
Wrap up the day feeling inspired, informed, and equipped to lead the next era of energy innovation.
Learn more about the Energy Workforce of the Future.
Note: Please be aware that ticket prices may include additional fees from the payment channel.