I accepted the invitation to be a candidate for AAPG treasurer for two reasons: First, I care deeply for the membership and greater geoscience community, and second, I recognize the power of AAPG to positively influence society and advance the energy industry. It is this passion that drives me to contribute my time, efforts, and skills to the AAPG Executive Committee.
I chose a career in the energy industry because it represents a direct role that the geosciences play in sustaining society and the earth, and I am driven to help our community accomplish those goals to the best of our abilities. AAPG makes this possible – by supporting, educating, connecting and growing our diverse community.
I have benefited directly from these aspects of AAPG, making connections across the industry that have strengthened my career and technical work, allowing me to have a greater impact. Creating these opportunities for others has thus been a focus throughout my leadership roles with AAPG, while also developing a deep understanding of AAPG, our membership, and our fit within today’s world.
As a member of the IMAGE Steering Committee (2022, 2023) and Technical Program Committee (2021), I put great effort into learning the needs of our diverse membership and guiding teams (2022 and 2023 DEI committees; 2021 Siliciclastics Theme) to deliver high quality, impactful programming. In my role as the AAPG Women’s Network technical programming co-chair (2020-24), I coordinate volunteers to deliver technical and career development content, focusing on meaningful engagement of our global membership.
AAPG has so much to offer geoscientists, and I am dedicated to utilizing my skills in listening to members, developing focused strategies, and turning them into action, to benefit and grow our membership.
My strong record of leadership, experience in stewarding financial resources, and collaborating with diverse teams to align on action-based strategies will support AAPG’s role within the global energy evolution. In addition to sustained leadership within AAPG, my roles in other geoscience societies have afforded me opportunities to build valuable skills and relationships that I will bring to the AAPG Executive Committee:
- In my role on the GSA Foundation Board of trustees, I work with fellow board members to ensure cost-effective operations, prudent fund management, and strong stewardship of financial resources utilized to enact the society’s priorities.
- As a member of the AGI Board of Directors, I collaborate with board members and Member Society representatives from a broad range of geoscience societies to drive the organization’s strategic plan and mission, and to provide guidance on fundraising efforts and initiatives.
Through these roles, I’ve demonstrated both mission-based financial acumen and a strong ability to collaborate with large teams composed of diverse viewpoints – skills that I plan to use to benefit AAPG through the role of treasurer.
In short, I accepted this invitation to further support my community – AAPG and its members – in growing and thriving within an evolving world, and I am confident in my abilities to do so.