The 2025 Energy Workforce of the Future (EWOTF) summit marked a significant milestone in the energy sector's progress. Under the theme "Better Together," the event brought together leaders, innovators, and professionals to address industry challenges and chart a sustainable, inclusive future. By uniting diverse perspectives, the conference highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving innovation and developing solutions for a rapidly evolving landscape.
Thanks to Expand Energy, NES Fircroft, NOV, and Energy Tech Nexus.
Highlights from EWOTF 2025
Resilience and Integration
Chris Lacy shared key insights on how people-focused integrations, such as the merger between Southwestern and Chesapeake Energy, can enhance the industry's adaptability. His message underscored the enduring resilience that drives success in the energy sector.
Real Talk, Real Solutions
This interactive session, led by Shan Escobar and Kristine Gentry, engaged attendees in aligning work and values through discussions on growth mindset, learning from failure, and fostering resilience.
Advancing Inclusion
Katy Hall, Melody Kelleher, and Katie Mehnert held a candid discussion on the evolution of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), with strategies for embedding it into organizational values for real, long-term impact.
Better Together: Solutions for Houston Energy and Climate Week
During lunch, Jeff Gill, Natalie Valentine, and Ingrid Velasco led a workshop on collaborative planning for Houston Energy and Climate Week. Attendees proposed inclusive programming, including ceremonies, a job fair, and a hackathon, to drive engagement in discussions about the energy transition.
Learning Through Adversity
Douglas Orr and Massie Diez led a session exploring how adversity builds diversity and inclusion. Tying in Dr. Paul Stoltz’s Adversity Quotient framework, they equipped attendees with practical strategies for turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
AI and the Energy Workforce
The "Future of Work" session detailed how generative AI is reshaping workplaces, from automating tasks to revolutionizing recruitment processes. Panelists Vishal Mehta, Kumar Lakshmipathi, and Cory Okeefe provided actionable insights on preparing the workforce for an AI-driven future.
Fail Forward, Fail Better
Jennifer Richmond and Beth Kobermann encouraged attendees to reframe failure as a stepping stone toward growth. Sharing personal stories, they inspired the audience to own their missteps and use them as catalysts for learning and innovation.
A New Resource for Advancing Energy Careers
A pivotal resource, www.energyworkforceofthefuture.com, was launched at the summit to support career advancement in the energy sector. It connects users with job opportunities, events, networks, and learning resources. Established through a 2019 partnership of 80 organizations, the Energy Workforce of the Future framework drives innovation, inclusivity, and growth, ensuring the workforce is prepared for future challenges.
The key takeaways from the summit include:
- Failure Fuels Growth: Adversity and failure serve as a learning opportunity, fostering resilience and unlocking new possibilities.
- Collaboration Powers Innovation: Integrating human and AI capabilities, alongside cross-industry partnerships, accelerates progress.
- Inclusivity Strengthens the Future: From DEI to community-based efforts, fostering a sense of belonging drives success and sustainability.
The EWOTF 2025 conference was a testament to the power of coming together to shape a brighter, more inclusive energy future. We'll see you in 2026! Interested? Learn more here.