Networking power
State chapter of Women's Energy Network turns 5
A time of need is a good time indeed for at least one organization that supports professional women working in Oklahoma' s energy industry.
This year, the Oklahoma chapter of the Women' s Energy Network is celebrating its fifth anniversary.
And although the official observance of its anniversary won't be held until October, members who attended a “Lunch and Learn” event in Oklahoma City on Tuesday were told by this year' s chapter president that i ts leadership team plans to add a celebratory aspect to everything the group does throughout the year.
“It has been such a rewarding experience to be a part of the chapter since it began,” said Jamie Matlock, the planning manager f or Devon Energy' s Rockies Business Unit. “First, we were scrambling to put out fires and learn how to work together as a board and plan and execute programming to benefit our members.
“With each passing year, we have become stronger and more effective thanks to outstanding leaders who volunteer their time and energy to WEN.”
Matlock said Tuesday she was one of 800 energy professionals who came together to form the Oklahoma
chapter of the international organization in 2015.
Then, the energy industry was in the midst of a significant downturn, and Matlock said she and others who initially joined both were surprised and pleased to find that so many women were interested in learning more about and supporting its mission, given the environment at the time.
But that isn' t so crazy, given the organization offers i ts members career and leadership development, community outreach and networking opportunities.
Mat lock said she realize din 2015 the numbers of women mentor sin the energy industry were limited, and said she joined Women's Energy Network so that she could help create and then provide a support system to other women in the energy industry.
“From company to company, there really is a tremendous opportunity there,” she said.
In 2019, another tough time for much of the energy industry, the Oklahoma chapter' s membership climbed again, to about 1,200.
“I want us to celebrate what we as women and leaders in this industry bring to the table for our companies,” Matlock said. “I also want us to celebrate how far we have come as a chapter.”
Matlock said the chapter nearly doubled the size of its board of directors this year, given its recent growth.
“That allows more women to get involved and have this leadership experience, and it allows us to provide more opportunities to our members,” Matlock said.
The organization has more than 20 chapters across the nation and and a chapter in Mexico, with plans to create another one in Alberta, Canada.
Mat lock said chapter members come from large and small companies that include oil and gas producers, midstream firms and companies that operate in other energy-related fields.
It offers its members a variety of networking opportunities that include leadership and volunteer opportunities( through community outreach events geared toward STEMrelated programs for youth) and mentoring provided by other network members.
The education-related outreach programs expose youths to science, technology, engineering and math, with the hope it leads them to future careers the energy industry survives upon.
Women's Energy Network also offers its members
monthly educationrelated luncheons like this week' s and other events designed to help them both advance their leadership capabilities and careers.
Discussion items range from differing types of leadership initiatives to environmental issues, big data and cybersecurity.
On Tuesday, Oklahoma chapter members in attendance were addressed by Jane Mudgett, partner, presenter, trainer and coach for Exceptional Leaders Lab, based in Tulsa.
Mud gett, who will launch her book titled “Five Alive” later this year, discussed how it aims to educate its readers about how positive behaviors in five focused areas — food, fitness, finance, fun and friends — can help them lead longer, happier lives.
“They are all intertwined ,” said Mudgett, a New York native who ended up working in the financial industry after seeing her career with Williams Cos. halt after the Enron implosion in 2007.
While working for Morgan Stanley, she started doing mentoring workshops f or women focusing primarily on helping them learn more about financial issues. Over time, as she passed through numerous life experiences that included cancer, depression and high periods of stress, she learned through working with her clients that most hoped to one day enjoy life — just not right then.
“Later, they were going to have fun. Later, they were going to go on vacation. Someday, they were going to do these things that were on their life lists," Mudgett said.
“These things evolved into what I call Five Alive — five (ways) to be more alive.”