SAVE THE DATE! OCTOBER 10-11, 2024
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Women Offshore Conference 2024
Agenda, October 10-11
Below is the tentative agenda; all times are in Central Time (Houston). This event is in person at Texas A&M in Galveston, Aggie Special Events Center – Bldg 3035.
Arriving early? Join us for a special pre-conference happy hour, a prime opportunity for attendees of the Women Offshore Conference to connect, network, and kick off the event in style!
- Location: The Spot, 3204 Seawall Boulevard Galveston, Texas 77550
- Date and Time: October 9th, 5-7pm
0800-0900Â Registration & Breakfast
0900-1000Â Welcome and Opening Keynote: Barbara Pickering, President, Chevron Shipping, Located in Room B
Barbara Pickering has been the President of Chevron Shipping Company since February 2024, having previously served as Vice President of Chevron Shipping Operations. She joined Chevron in 1991 as a Charterer in London, supporting the Supply & Trading organization, and later held key roles in the U.S. Pacific Fleet, including Terminal Manager and Fleet Manager, where she successfully launched Chevron’s LNG Shipping Operations. To gain invaluable insights into her impressive leadership journey in the maritime industry, attend the Women Offshore Conference and learn from her extensive experience.
1000-1030Â Break
1030-1130Â Choose between the following two sessions:
Panel Session: Inclusive Allies: Fostering Workplace Inclusion and Equity, Located in Room B
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring male allies who are dedicated to championing workplace inclusion and equity. This engaging session provides a platform for male leaders and professionals to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for creating environments where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.
- Panelist: Ross Pratt, Senior Vice President and Managing Director Americas, Wings Travel
- Panelist: Adam Smith, Gulf Coast Vice President, MEBA
- Panelist: Daniel Harlow, Marine Technical Advisor, Texas/GOM, Shell
- Moderator: Liz Schmidt, Executive Director, Women Offshore
Panel Session: Firsts in their Fields: Accepting Challenges and Breaking Barriers, Located in Room C
In this inspiring session, hear from trailblazers who have achieved groundbreaking milestones in the offshore industry. These pioneers have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also broken through significant barriers to pave the way for others. Join us as they share their stories of courage, innovation, and determination, reflecting on the challenges they’ve faced and the bold steps they've taken to overcome them. This panel offers a unique opportunity to learn from those who have redefined what's possible in the offshore industry, turning challenges into stepping stones for success.
- Panelist: Eunice Ebubechukwu Emmanuel-Mamud, Driller, Shelf Drilling
- Panelist: Lillian Espinoza-Gala, Owner, LEG Exploration Education LLC
- Moderator: Laura McFalls, Vice President, Women Offshore
1130-1300Â Networking Lunch
1200-1300 Optional Session During Lunch: Navigating the Journey of Motherhood: A Round Table on Pregnancy and Maternity Support On the Water, Located in Room C
This round table exercise is designed to bring together members from the Women Offshore Community and their supporters within the industry to engage in a comprehensive discussion about pregnancy and maternity support. Beyond just benefits, this conversation will delve into the full spectrum of needs and challenges faced by women working on the water, from navigating pregnancy in a demanding environment to ensuring a smooth transition back to work post-maternity leave. Participants will share personal experiences, discuss existing support systems, and collaboratively explore actionable solutions to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace. The goal is to bridge the gap between current policies and the real-world needs of women, fostering an environment where they can thrive both personally and professionally.
1300-1400 Choose between the following two sessions:
Panel Session: Navigating Talent Tides: Insights from HR Professionals, Located in Room B
In the dynamic landscape of offshore industries, human resources (HR) professionals serve as invaluable navigators, charting the course for talent acquisition, development, and retention. In this enlightening panel discussion, seasoned HR leaders from diverse sectors within the offshore industry will converge to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for managing the human capital challenges unique to this sector.
- Panelist: Holly Strople, Global Head of Talent Acquisition, Noble
- Panelist: Jenny Johnson, CEO, Maritime Inclusion Partners
- Panelist: Melany Skippen, Port Agent Pacific Ports, Offshore Division, MM&P
- Panelist: Dennis Dupre, Senior Recruiter, Disney
- Moderator: Christine MacMillan, Director, Career Support, Women Offshore
Panel Session: The Offshore Balancing Act: Navigating Work-Life Integration, Located in Room C
Finding the right balance between a demanding offshore career and personal life can be a daunting challenge. This panel will bring together professionals who have successfully managed the complexities of work-life integration in the offshore and maritime industries. Through their stories and strategies, you'll learn about the innovative approaches they've adopted to maintain a healthy balance, the support systems they've built, and the compromises they've had to make. Whether you're struggling with long rotations, family commitments, or finding time for self-care, this session will provide practical advice on how to harmonize your career and personal life without sacrificing success in either.
- Panelist: Alana Anderson, Master/OIM, Transocean
- Panelist: Lindsay Price, Captain, Women Offshore
- Panelist: Chelsea Patterson, Mate, MM&P
- Moderator: Rebecca Resor, Vetting & Clearance Superintendent – Americas, bp
1400-1430Â Break
1430-1600Â Workshop with The Thoughtful Co, "Confidence Unleashed: Excelling in Performance Reviews and Interviews," Located in Room C
0800-0900Â Breakfast
0900-1000Â Morning Keynote Speaker: Lisa Mullins, Managing Director, Shorebased HCM and Administrative Services, Located in Room B
Lisa Mullins is the Managing Director of Shorebased Human Capital Management (HCM) and Administrative Services at Transocean, a position she has held since August 2024. With nearly 20 years at Transocean, she has developed deep expertise in human resources, notably serving as the Director of Human Resources for Offshore Operations, where she managed HR strategies for Transocean's global operations. In this role, Lisa played a pivotal part in enhancing workforce planning and talent acquisition efforts across various regions. She has also held senior managerial positions focused on workday implementation and global recruitment strategies. Lisa's extensive experience and leadership in HR make her a key figure in shaping Transocean’s workforce strategies.
1030-1130Â Choose between the following two sessions:
Panel Session: Transitioning Horizons: Career Shifts from Offshore to Onshore, Located in Room B
Embark on a transformative journey with a panel of seasoned professionals who have navigated the transition from offshore to onshore careers within the maritime industry. In this insightful panel discussion, individuals who have successfully made the leap from offshore environments to onshore roles will come together to share their experiences, challenges, and strategies for career transition.
- Panelist: Dennis Dupre, Senior Recruiter, Disney
- Panelist Sarah Scherer, Vice President, Pacific Coast Operations, Transportation Institute
- Panelist: Jessie Shifalo, Attorney, Liskow
- Panelist: Jessica Giron, Stratigic Planning Officer, USCG
- Panelist: Samantha Cibelli, Head of Lifystyle - Ocean Product, MLL
- Moderator: Sheila LaFleur, Principal, Trackline Search Partners
Panel Session: Sailing Through Challenges: Stories of Resilience and Triumph, Located in Room C
Embark on a collective voyage through the trials and triumphs of maritime professionals as experienced seafarers and offshore workers come together to share their stories of resilience and perseverance. In this illuminating panel discussion, distinguished individuals representing various sectors of the maritime industry will converge to offer insights into the challenges they've encountered and the strategies they've employed to overcome them.
- Panelist: Larkin Bohn, Science Communicator
- Panelist: Claudia Cimini, Executive Vice President, MEBA
- Panelist: Cassie Mead, 2nd Mate
- Panelist: Kathleen Friel, Career Advancement Liaison, AMO
- Panelist: Janine Nagle, Assistant Driller, Transocean
- Moderator: Joy Hall Director, Marine Training, Polar Tankers
1130-1300Â Awards Luncheon, Located in Room A
1300-1400Â Q&A with Women Offshore Leadership, Located in Room B
Join us for an enlightening Q&A session with the leadership of the Women Offshore Foundation. This interactive panel discussion provides a unique opportunity to engage with those at the helm of Women Offshore, playing pivotal roles in advancing gender diversity, equality, and inclusion within the offshore industry.
- Panelist: Ally Cedeno, President, Women Offshore
- Panelist: Laura McFalls, Vice President, Women Offshore
- Panelist: Liz Schmidt, Executive Director, Women Offshore
- Panelist: Christine MacMillan, Director, Women Offshore
- Panelist Lindsay Price, Director of Advocacy, Women Offshore
- Moderator: Kym Adams, CEO, The Business Team
1500-1700 Tour of Texas A&M Galveston Campus
Sign up for the tour at the check-in desk when arriving for the Conference! Attendees going on the tour must sign a waiver and wear closed-toe shoes.