Navigating Carbon: Deb Ryan on Energy, Emissions & Leadership in a Changing World

By Christine MacMillan | Women Offshore Blog | Podcast Episode 246

In Episode 246 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Christine MacMillan sits down with Deb Ryan, CEO and Founder of Swan Mountain Advisory, and one of the newest members of the Women Offshore Board. With nearly 20 years of experience across emissions management, carbon markets, and the upstream oil and gas industry, Deb brings a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic insight, and global perspective.

Deb has built her career at the intersection of engineering, energy, and climate. A licensed Professional Engineer in both Colorado and Texas, she holds degrees in Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and an MBA — a foundation that has enabled her to lead across operators, consulting, and analytics firms such as S&P Global.

Today, Deb runs Swan Mountain Advisory, where she helps organizations navigate the rapidly changing world of carbon management, including emissions reduction, financed emissions, transition risk, and the evolving carbon markets landscape. Her voice is widely sought after, and she has addressed international audiences at CERAWeek, International Energy Week, APPEC, and more.

Her leadership extends into board service as well — with positions at AlphaX Decision Sciences, Geofinancial Analytics, and 1089.inc, where she advises on AI integration, methane data analysis, and carbon market methodologies. She is also faculty at the University of Colorado Denver, teaching “Carbon Markets for Business.”

In this episode, Deb shares her journey from petroleum engineer to carbon strategy expert, what companies often misunderstand about emissions, and how the energy transition is reshaping opportunities across the maritime and offshore workforce. She also reflects on what it means to join the Women Offshore Board and why representation and mentorship are essential for the future.

Tune in to Episode 246 to gain a deeper understanding of carbon markets, climate risk, and the real-world decisions shaping tomorrow’s energy landscape.