Houston Mayor Proclaims May 5th as ‘Pink Petro Day’ to celebrate the launch of a new online community advancing women in the energy industry.

 

HOUSTON, May 7, 2015 – On the first day of The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, May 4, Katie Mehnert, founder and chief executive officer of Pink Petro™ (a social media channel designed to help women professionals in the energy industry advance in their careers), moderated a panel discussion focused on the shortage of qualified female talent in the oil and gas industry and what women in this industry can do to manage their careers.

The panel was held during OTC’s Women in Industry Sharing Experiences (WISE) Networking Event. Panelists included Christina Sistrunk, currently the vice president of Production Assets Gulf of Mexico at Shell Upstream Americas - Deep Water, who in July will become the chief executive officer of Aera Energy, a joint venture between Exxon and Shell; Angela Knight, global diversity leader, GE Oil & Gas; Gabriela Arias, chemical engineer, Halliburton; and June Ressler, chief executive officer for Cenergy International.

In addition to moderating the OTC WISE Panel, Mehnert and her seed founders, Shell, Halliburton and Jive Software threw a sold-out reception with 200 guests in attendance for the launch of Pink Petro™ on Tuesday, May 5th, at The Junior League of Houston. Proceeds from the event benefit Girls Incorporated of Houston and their STEM programs.

Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker was the keynote speaker at the reception. She proclaimed Tuesday, May 5, as “Pink Petro Day” in Houston. Several industry executives from Shell, Halliburton, GE Oil and Gas, Chevron, Cameron, Jive Software and Pink Petro members joined in the celebration.

“Pink Petro is something our industry needs,” said Cindy Patman, senior director of Corporate Affairs and Global Diversity Initiatives with Halliburton. “We are a proud industry founder along with Shell and Jive Software.”

As part of the proclamation for Pink Petro Day, Mayor Parker said, “Pink Petro’s members represent the diversity of the sector, which includes oil, gas, power, water, utilities and other supporting functions. The City of Houston commends Pink Petro, its founders and seed funders for their dedication to the advancement of women in the energy capital of the world and beyond.”