Industry Discussion Panel: Women in Energy

As the energy industry faces new challenges for the 21st century we are seeing a shift in the demographics of those entering into petroleum engineering programs towards more women graduates. How can these new perspectives improve what is traditionally a male dominated industry and what is the experience of someone pushing those boundries?

Panelists:

Jessica K Bird
Jessica Bird grew up in Cotton Valley, Louisiana and has been working in O&G in various capacities for 21 years. Although she never forgets her roots, she now calls Houston, Texas her home, where she works as a Sr. Engineering Technologist and Reporting Specialist with Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
Learn more about Jessica's experience with PHDwin

Katie Ramirez Shahin
Katie Shahin has been in the industry for just over two years. She graduated with a B.S in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech in 2019. I has worked in completion and production operations in the DJ Basin and works at Oxy's Platteville, CO office. She originally started out with Anadarko before getting bought out. She is originally from Houston, Texas.

Yogashri Pradhan
Yogashri Pradhan is a senior reservoir engineer for Endeavor Energy Resources. At Endeavor, she is involved with field development planning for unconventionals in the Midland Basin. She is the recipient of the Regional Reservoir Engineering Dynamics and Description and the Regional Service Awards in 2020. She's also the recipient of Houston Engineers Week Young Engineer of the Year representing SPE-Gulf Coast Section for 2018 and the International Young Member Outstanding Service Award from SPE in 2018. Yogashri graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering in 2015 and received her Masters in Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University in 2020. She is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas and New Mexico.

Susan Howes
C. Susan Howes, PE, PHR, is VP Engineering at Subsurface Consultants & Associates. A PE graduate of UT, Howes started her career at Anadarko, and worked for Chevron as Reservoir Management Consultant. Howes chairs the UT PGE Distinguished Alumni Committee, serves on UT PGE EAC, CSM PE PAB, and Girl Scouts – SJC Board of Directors.  For SPE, Howes chairs US Advisory Council, served as Regional Director for Gulf Coast N. America, received DeGolyer Distinguished Service Medal, is an Honorary Member, and was a Distinguished Lecturer for 2019-20. Howes was named 2020 Woman of Excellence by Houston Professional Women.