Editorial

Energy Industry Tackles Head On Diversity and Inclusion Barriers at Gastech 2021 in Dubai

Energy Industry Tackles Head On Diversity and Inclusion Barriers at Gastech 2021 in Dubai

Industry seeks ways to enhance women’s careers and tackle implicit bias in a traditionally male dominated industry 

2021 Power Play Awards, presented by ExxonMobil, celebrated the achievements of remarkable professionals

London – 23 September, 2021– The disproportionate impact of climate change on the emotional and economic well-being of women, as well as an unconscious bias against women are creating significant challenges for the gas, LNG, hydrogen and energy industry as it seeks to improve diversity and inclusion within its workforces.

With energy businesses facing a talent crunch, as retirement is not matched by replacement and skill sets are changed by the deployment of advanced digital technologies, the industry faces increasing competition, from other economic sectors, for the digitally native employees, particularly women, who are dissuaded from joining the industry by its hard manual labour image.

At Gastech 2021, which concludes today (Thursday September 23), the gas, LNG, hydrogen and energy industry professionals have been engaging with the challenges of how to overcome women’s negative perceptions of the gas, LNG, hydrogen and energy industry as a male dominated industry and how to demonstrate it offers women challenging, rewarding and fulfilling careers in a decarbonising world.

As part of Gastech 2021’s Gastech Live’s Diversity and Inclusion programme, participants have shared insights and strategies into overturning gender stereotypes and promoting tangible initiatives that give women greater opportunities to enrich their careers, through advancement, leveraging technology and new ways of working, in order to create a more diverse, inclusive and balanced workforce.

Additionally, Gastech hosted the 2021 Power Play Awards, presented by ExxonMobil, which celebrated the achievements of remarkable professionals in the LNG industry from around the globe.

This year’s programme focused on outstanding professionals who deliver results while being a positive, resilient presence within the LNG community. The Awards honored individuals in four categories: The Rising Star, The Ambassador, The Pioneer, and the Conqueror. This year’s winners exemplified and exceeded all the characteristics sought after in their respective award categories.

The 2021 Power Play Awards winners are:

• The Rising Star – presented to an outstanding female professional, age 35 or younger
  • Tolulope Ijitona, Instrumentation Engineer at Nigeria LNG Limited, Nigeria

• The Ambassador – given to a professional who displays positive energy and collaborative leadership while inspiring those around them
  • Candace Jimerson, Senior Director of Commercial LNG Operations at Golden Pass LNG, United States

• The Pioneer – awarded to a professional who has delivered outstanding business results or innovation and technology leadership
  • Sandra Antonovic, Chief Operating Officer at Reflex Marine Ltd, United Kingdom

• The Conqueror – recognises a female professional who has overcome challenges in the workplace, particularly in light of the 2020 pandemic
  • Hilary Ware, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at Cheniere, United States

Gastech 2021 has enabled the global gas, LNG, hydrogen and energy industry to safely reconnect face-to-face for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Over three days of discussions, meetings and conducting business, energy industry leaders, policy makers and industrial energy consumers have tackled head on the challenges of environmental agendas, leveraging technology to maximize the emerging commercial opportunities and new ways of working to match market requirements..

Gastech 2021, is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and supported by the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.  The exhibition and conference is co-hosted by ADNOC, Shell, and Venture Global LNG.

Before it closes today, September 23, Gastech 2021 will have been attended by more than 15,000 attendees including senior decision-makers and energy industry thought leaders, and 250 exhibiting companies. Taking place alongside Gastech 2021 has been the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) enabling visitors to attend both events’ exhibitions without the need to register twice.

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