Energy Thinks with Tisha Schuller

On this episode of the Energy Thinks Podcast, host Tisha Schuller is answering your questions with guest host (and eldest son) Carter Schuller. Season 2 focuses on the bridge from vision to pragmatic execution in game-changing leadership.  This episode takes on listeners most frequently asked questions on this topic. Host Tisha Schuller even covers how she is changing her own leadership style to rise to the challenges of 2021. After an unprecedented 2020 with much uncertainty for our industry, this episode will leave you empowered to meet the challenges ahead as only our industry can., In this episode, Tisha answers the tough questions: Why does a decarbonized energy future need oil and gas?Why doesn’t “educating” the public work?What are the most important things for millennials to know to engage in the oil and gas industry of the future? How can you impact your company’s work on diversity, equity, and inclusion? Tisha Schuller founded Adamantine Energy to provide thought leadership to future-proof energy businesses against rising social risk. Tisha consults private clients from Fortune 500 energy companies to non-profit environmental organizations in managing disruption, energy policy, business strategy, politics, and community engagement. She also serves as the Strategic Advisor for Stanford University’s Natural Gas Initiative. In 2017, Tisha chaired Stanford’s symposium to reduce energy poverty in the developing world using natural gas. Previously, Tisha served as President & CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association and as Principal and Vice President with Tetra Tech, a national environmental consulting and engineering firm.  She has a B.S. from Stanford University. Tisha serves on many academic and non-profit boards including The Breakthrough Institute, The Energy for Growth Hub, The Denver Museum of Nature & Science Institute for Science & Policy Strategic Council, and she is a member of the National Petroleum Council, an advisory board to the U.S. Secretary of Energy under both the Obama and Trump administrations.  Tisha’s book, Accidentally Adamant was published in 2018 and her latest release, The Gamechanger’s Playbook: How Oil & Gas Leaders Thrive in an Era of Continuous Disruption was published in October of 2020. Tisha authors a weekly series entitled Both of These Things Are True.Subscribe here for Tisha's weekly "Both Things Are True" email newsletter. Follow all things Adamantine Energy at www.energythinks.com. [Interview recorded on December 17, 2020] Get full access to Both of These Things Are True at tishaschuller.substack.com/subscribe

Kicking off season two of the Energy Thinks Podcast, Tisha Schuller sits down with Kevin Krausert and Bryan Trudel of Avatar Innovations. Rewiring how the world powers itself is no small task, and Avatar has a solution—creating an independent innovation hub where technological advancement is accelerated and risk is mitigated. Avatar is busy answering the question, Where can growth for the oil and gas industry occur if production is to be limited in the future? Today’s episode takes future-proofing the oil and gas industry to the next level. Listen for an exciting and inspired exploration of solutions. In this episode, we dive into:· Reshaping the narrative on how to achieve decarbonization· Creating a new ecosystem for lasting innovation· How to de-risk the innovation process Kevin Krausert is the CEO and Co-Founder of Avatar Innovations, an industry wide collaboration between E&P’s, tech companies, and the University of Calgary bringing new technology and AI into the drilling industry. Kevin has spent 20 years on the front lines of energy innovation in numerous executive leadership roles in the industry. Starting his career in the energy industry as a roughneck on the oilrigs of Northern Alberta, he grew through the ranks until he was Chief Executive of Canada’s oldest drilling company. His championed some of the first fully computerized drilling rigs in the world and led the first long-reach horizontal well in the Canadian arctic. Kevin has been an articulate and major champion for unlocking the energy transition solutions inside oil and gas for a better future. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science from McGill University and a Masters of Business Administration from the Haskayne School of Business and serves on the steering committees of both the Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) and the Energy Futures Lab (EFL). Bryan is Avatar Innovations’ CFO and Co-Founder. As an accomplished Capital Markets professional, Bryan’s 20 years on Bay Street has seen him lead through many market and investment cycles in energy, becoming an Executive Director at one of Canada’s largest banks. Given his extensive first-hand experience with Canada’s largest institutional investors, Bryan’s insight into the changing landscape of energy investment makes him one of Canada’s rare energy bankers able to connect the importance of oil and gas with the market driven need to decarbonize. Based in Toronto, Bryan facilitates Avatar Innovations connection with the institutional investors critical to unlocking the massive capital required for the energy transition. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Carleton University. Subscribe here for Tisha's weekly "Both Things Are True" email newsletter. Follow all things Adamantine Energy at www.energythinks.com. [Interview recorded on December 9, 2020] Get full access to Both of These Things Are True at tishaschuller.substack.com/subscribe

Season One Finale of the Energy Thinks Podcast.  Stay tuned for Season 2 coming shortly!To purchase The Gamechangers Playbook, click hereFor all things Adamantine Energy, visit us at www.energythinks.com Get full access to Both of These Things Are True at tishaschuller.substack.com/subscribe

 Tisha Schuller sits down with Chris Smith, Sr. Vice President of Policy, Government, and Public Affairs at Cheniere Energy. Discussing the role LNG will have in the energy future, Chris provides an array of insights on how Cheniere Energy is positioning itself to lead the industry toward a decarbonized future. In this episode, we dive into:· Cheniere Energy’s Hurricane Laura relief efforts· Racial equity and justice in the energy industry· Cheniere Energy’s recently released Corporate Responsibility Report· Cheniere’s long-term positioning of LNG in the future energy mix Chris assumed his present role of Sr. Vice President of Policy, Government, and Public Affairs at Cheniere Energy in 2017 after serving five years as the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. He has held leadership positions from a wide range of institutions including Rice University’s Baker Institute of Public Policy, Chevron, Texaco, JPMorgan, and Citibank. Chris is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served as a Task Force Engineer and Platoon Leader while a U.S. Army Officer. Additionally, Chris holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge. Episode Resources· Cheniere Energy’s Corporate Responsibility Report, “First and Forward”: https://www.cheniere.com/pdf/First-and-Forward-2019-Corporate-Responsibility-Report-LR2.pdf Subscribe here for Tisha's weekly "Both Things Are True" email newsletter. Purchase Tisha's new book The Gamechanger's Playbook: How Oil & Gas Leaders Thrive in an Era of Continuous Disruption. Follow all things Adamantine Energy at www.energythinks.com. [Interview recorded on September 28, 2020]  Get full access to Both of These Things Are True at tishaschuller.substack.com/subscribe

 Tisha Schuller switches roles and is interviewed by Mike Ming of Ming Energy Partners and Robert Hefner of Hefner Energy as part of the webcast series, “The Future of Energy” produced by the University of Oklahoma Energy Institute at the Michael F. Price College of Business. Just how does the oil and gas industry carve out its spot as the leader of the energy transition? How does the industry show that it is not just “your dad’s fuel?” In this episode, we explore:· The public’s climate tipping point· How oil and gas leaders must adjust their leadership strategy to meet the moment· How to find common ground with opposition and create a shared ambition· How to attract and retain young talent to the industry Tisha Schuller founded Adamantine Energy in 2015 to help oil and gas companies future-proof their businesses against rising social risk. She serves as the Strategic Advisor for Stanford University’s Natural Gas Initiative. Previously, she served as President & CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association. Tisha serves on many academic and non-profit boards including the National Petroleum Council, an advisory board to the Secretary of Energy under both the Obama and Trump administrations. Tisha’s book, Accidentally Adamant was published in 2018. Tisha authors a bi-weekly series entitled Both of These Things Are True. Subscribe here for Tisha's weekly "Both Things Are True" email newsletter. Follow all things Adamantine Energy at www.energythinks.com. [Interview recorded on July 29, 2020]  Get full access to Both of These Things Are True at tishaschuller.substack.com/subscribe

Tisha Schuller sits down with Danielle Fugere, President of As You Sow, to learn about shareholder activism from the activist perspective. Shareholder resolutions are increasingly successful in pushing oil and gas companies to address climate concerns on activist terms. To meet the incoming challenges, oil and gas leaders must both build an understanding of the activist perspective, and develop an engagement strategy. In today’s episode, Tisha and Danielle discuss:· The drivers behind shareholder advocacy· How oil and gas companies can engage constructively with shareholder activists· What to expect next from future shareholder resolutions Danielle assumed the role of President of As You Sow in 2012 and continues to serve today. She has served in leadership roles for environmental advocacy organizations since 1995 including Environmental Advocates, Friends of the Earth, and the Environmental Law Foundation. Danielle holds a J.D. from the Berkeley School of Law and a degree in political economics from the University of California, Berkeley. Subscribe here for Tisha's weekly "Both Things Are True" email newsletter. Follow all things Adamantine Energy at www.energythinks.com. [Interview recorded on August 26, 2020] Get full access to Both of These Things Are True at tishaschuller.substack.com/subscribe

  host Anne Carto, Engagement Manager at Adamantine Energy, sits down with Katie Tate, Senior Local Affairs Specialist at PDC Energy. Anne and Katie, two millennial oil and gas leaders and alumni of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association’s (COGA) Energy Generation Leadership Program (EnGen), discuss how oil and gas companies can continue to connect to the communities they serve in the age of social distancing. In today’s episode, we dive into:· Changes in engagement strategies with elected officials and nonprofits· Turning virtual volunteer opportunities into an advantage· How to keep employees empowered while working virtually Katie has spent nearly 10 years at PDC Energy and leads their community outreach efforts. Katie organizes the widely popular Energizing Our Community Days at PDC Energy, this year going completely virtual. She was awarded the Denver Association of Division Order Analysts Presidents Club Award and voted one of the most influential women in COGA’s 2018 EnGen Program graduating class. Katie currently sits on boards of the Weld Food Bank and the American Red Cross. Lastly, Katie is pursuing her MBA at the University of Colorado-Denver and is a graduate of the University of Colorado-Boulder. Episode Resources· Katie’s email · Katie’s LinkedIn Profile Subscribe here for Tisha's weekly "Both Things Are True" email newsletter. Follow all things Adamantine Energy at www.energythinks.com. Interview recorded on July 30th.  Get full access to Both of These Things Are True at tishaschuller.substack.com/subscribe

 Tisha Schuller sits down with Emily Reichert, CEO of Greentown Labs, the largest cleantech incubator in North America. Tisha and Emily discuss how cleantech and oil & gas can team up to solve pressing issues in energy: decarbonization, climate change, and racial equity and justice. In today’s episode, we dive into:· Greentown Labs’ expansion into Houston, Texas· Leading on the fronts of racial equity and justice· How cleantech and oil and gas ideas are greater than the sum of their parts Emily is currently the CEO of Greentown Labs, assuming the role in 2013. Emily previously served as a Senior Scientist at the consulting firm Arthur D. Little, Director of Business Operations at the Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, and an MIT Sloan Fellow in Innovation and Global Leadership. Emily holds an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California-Redlands. Episode Resources· Forbes Profile, “Meet the Woman Who Runs the Fastest Growing Cleantech Startup Hub on the East Coast”· Emily Reichert TEDx Talk, “The Power of Community: Solving the World’s Biggest Challenges” Subscribe here for Tisha's weekly "Both Things Are True" email newsletter. Follow all things Adamantine Energy at www.energythinks.com. [Interview recorded on July 30, 2020]  Get full access to Both of These Things Are True at tishaschuller.substack.com/subscribe

 Tisha Schuller sits down with Southern Company Gas CEO Kim Greene to discuss Southern Company Gas’s current efforts on racial equity and justice, decarbonizing natural gas operations, embracing telecommuting, and quarantine-related family balance.Kim currently serves as chairman, president, and CEO of Southern Company Gas, a subsidiary of Southern Company, which delivers natural gas to 4.2 million utility customers across Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Before assuming her current roles as, Kim has held other leadership positions within Southern Company and also spent over 5 years as an executive at the Tennessee Valley Authority. Additionally, Kim serves on the board of directors for Valero, the Gas Technology Institute, and the American Gas Association. Kim is a graduate of Harvard’s Advanced Management Program and holds an MBA from Samford University, a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from UAB, a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Subscribe here for Tisha's weekly "Both Things Are True" email newsletter. Follow all things Adamantine Energy at www.energythinks.com. [Interview recorded on July 22, 2020]  Get full access to Both of These Things Are True at tishaschuller.substack.com/subscribe

Tisha Schuller sits down with Williams Companies’ President and CEO Alan Armstrong to discuss leadership during a multi-dimensional crisis and how Williams is reinventing its operations and workforce to lead into the energy future. In today’s episode, we explore answers to the questions:How is leadership changing in our current time?How is racial equity and justice going to transform the energy future?What opportunities will the new $400 million solar investment provide for Williams Companies?How will the U.S. adjust to continue providing affordable energy as people work from home? Alan Armstrong has been Williams’ President and CEO since 2011. In that time, Williams has expanded to touch roughly one-third of all natural gas pipelines in the United States. He first joined Williams in 1986 as an engineer after completing his civil engineering degree at the University of Oklahoma. He has held numerous leadership positions within the company such as Sr. VP of Midstream, VP of Gathering and Processing, VP of Commercial Development, and VP of Retail Energy Services. Armstrong serves on the Board of Directors for the American Petroleum Institute and is a member of the National Petroleum Council. Episode Resources$400 million solar investment by Williams CompaniesNational Petroleum Council’s report, “Dynamic Delivery: America’s Evolving Oil and Natural Gas Transportation Infrastructure” To access the National Petroleum Council’s report, click “Episode Webpage” below. Subscribe here for Tisha's weekly "Both Things Are True" email newsletter. Follow all things Adamantine Energy at www.energythinks.com. [Interview recorded on July 22, 2020] Get full access to Both of These Things Are True at tishaschuller.substack.com/subscribe