Paula R. Glover is the President of the Alliance to Save Energy, a bipartisan nonprofit advancing federal energy efficiency policy. Under her leadership, the Alliance has shaped landmark policies like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, securing billions for energy efficiency programs. A champion for underrepresented communities, she previously led the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE). Ms. Glover serves on boards including Talos Energy and Resources for the Future, and advisory boards for NREL and the National Academies. A National Petroleum Council member since 2014, she holds a B.S. in Marketing Management from the University of Delaware.

Hannah DuCre’ Rucker was a dedicate educator and administrator from St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, who passed away from a courageous cancer battle in 2016 at the age of 64. She spent 34 years in the school system, eventually becoming a principal. A strong advocate for education and leadership, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from LSU New Orleans, and Southeastern Louisiana State University, respectively. Known as Mu’tha to many, Rucker held the special title “Other Mother” by countless generations of students she nurtured through adulthood. Rucker was a cherished mother of three girls, NikKi, Kelly and Tiffany, and a grandmother to twelve and known for her love of family and a generous, infectious, and gritty spirit.

Peggy Montana is an accomplished chemical engineer and energy executive with over forty years of experience. After graduating from Missouri S&T, where she was on the first-ever women's intercollegiate volleyball team, she embarked on a decades-long career with Shell Oil. Rising through the ranks, she held senior leadership roles, including CEO of Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, before retiring in 2015. Throughout her distinguished career, she oversaw global distribution, supply, and pipeline operations. Post retirement, she continues to serve on several corporate and non-profit boards, including Gibson Energy, Kodiak Gas Services, and the Houston YMCA. Peggy is known for her journey as a humble trailblazer who balanced a global career, family, and giving back to the workforce and her community.

Bill Shireman is a serial social entrepreneur, policy innovator, and conflict mediator who has spent his life bridging divides between unlikely allies—capitalists and activists, conservatives and progressives. Growing up in a politically divided household, Bill learned early on the value of listening and finding common ground, a skill that shaped his career. As President of Future 500, he’s brokered groundbreaking agreements, from sustainable forestry standards to bipartisan carbon tax proposals. A UC Berkeley professor and author of seven books, including In This Together: How Republicans, Democrats, Capitalists, and Activists are Uniting to Tackle Climate Change and More, Bill is dedicated to revitalizing democracy and empowering the next generation of leaders to solve problems collaboratively. He’s got a soft spot for green tea lattes and meeting people from faraway places who stay at his Airbnb.

Nuala Murphy is a passionate entrepreneur, advocate, and leader in diversity and inclusion. As a Board Member at NOW Group and Committee Member at IoD Northern Ireland, she leverages her expertise in strategic thinking and marketing communications to tackle equality challenges and foster inclusive environments. A former leader in scaling the Lean In Movement, Nuala has advised on gender equality policies across industries and the third sector. Currently pursuing a PhD at Queen’s University Belfast, her research focuses on practical applications of gender equality policies. Nuala’s work empowers underrepresented voices, driving meaningful change and creating a more equitable society. 

Stephanie Cox is a seasoned executive with over thirty years of leadership in the global energy sector. She serves on multiple public and private boards and is the founder of Blue Sky Ambition, a leadership development and executive coaching firm. Stephanie has led multibillion-dollar businesses and diverse teams across Texas, Louisiana, France, and Malaysia, fostering cultural diversity and inclusive leadership. Known for her authentic style, she creates environments of trust and psychological safety. Passionate about empowering others, Stephanie shares her experiences to help individuals and organizations achieve bold ambitions and purposeful leadership, driving meaningful impact in all they do.

Juliana Garaizar is a trailblazing leader in venture capital, energy innovation, and climate solutions. She launched Greentown Labs Houston and is founding partner of EnergyTech Nexus. She drives transformative partnerships and investments that accelerate the clean energy transition. A champion for diversity and inclusion, Juliana is a Kauffman Fellow and leads Portfolia’s Rising America Fund, empowering underrepresented founders. With over two decades of global experience spanning Europe, Asia, and the Americas, she has held leadership roles at the Houston Angel Network and Texas Medical Center. Juliana’s visionary approach bridges capital, innovation, and equity, shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for all.

Judaline Cassidy is a feminist, union plumber, speaker, and disruptor of the status quo. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, she made history as one of the first women in Plumbers Local 371, Staten Island. In 2017, she founded Tools & Tiaras Inc., inspiring young girls to embrace trades. A CNN Champion for Change and L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth honoree, Judaline’s mantra, “Jobs Don’t Have Genders®,” drives her mission to empower women in male-dominated fields. Whether on stage or teaching girls to solder, Judaline is proof that grit and determination can build a life—and a legacy—from the ground up.

Lamé Verre is an award-winning energy executive with over twenty-five years of global experience. She leads the UK’s sustainability and Net Zero agenda and co-founded ScanTech International Ltd., a low-carbon company, and Lean In Equity & Sustainability (LiNES), a global gender diversity enterprise. A Fellow of the UK Energy Institute, Lamé holds degrees from Warwick, Imperial, and London Business Schools, among others. A seasoned keynote speaker, she serves as a trustee and non-executive for organizations in the UK and US and recently contributed to the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Energy Transition.

Dr. Paul G. Stoltz is the world’s leading authority on adversity, grit, and resilience, authoring five international bestsellers, including GRIT—The New Science of What it Takes to Persevere, Flourish, Succeed. As founder and CEO of PEAK Learning, Inc. since 1987, he has collaborated with top leaders and organizations worldwide. His Adversity Quotient® and GRIT tools are featured in Harvard Business School’s MBA and Executive Education programs, and his work is highlighted in Harvard Business Review, Today Show, Oprah, CNN, CNBC, Wall Street Journal and many other outlets. A guest lecturer at Stanford, Princeton, and INSEAD, Dr. Stoltz also leads the GRIT Institute and Global Resilience Institute, advancing human potential globally.

Natalie Valentine is a dynamic leader with twenty years of experience across upstream, downstream, chemicals, nuclear, and mining industries. A Chemical Engineer by training, she combines creative insight with analytical precision to solve complex challenges and deliver results. Her expertise spans strategy, M&A, project delivery, risk, HSE, and innovation. A founding sponsor of Worley’s Women Pipeline to CEO Program, Natalie was honored with the ALLY Energy GRIT Award for her industry and community impact. Currently leading Worley’s Mountain West operations, she is celebrated for her inclusive leadership, focus on growth, and dedication to empowering others.

Inspired by Jane Addams at age nine, Micki Grimland dedicated her life to helping others. She founded Southwest Psychotherapy in 1986, building a thriving practice with eight clinicians over thirty-nine years. Known for her deep compassion and ability to confront difficult truths, Micki specialized in trauma, couples, and addiction therapy, creating transformational, lasting change for her clients. A mentor to aspiring therapists and a frequent public speaker, she shared her expertise on platforms like Great Day Houston and The Oprah Show. Retiring in 2025, Micki leaves behind a legacy of healing, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to mental health.

Michael Treadwell is a seasoned entrepreneur and the CEO and founder of Treadwell Holdings, overseeing a diverse portfolio of companies spanning real estate, energy, investments, and advisory services. His ventures, including Treadwell Real Estate Holdings, Treadwell Exploration and Production, and Global Project Management Consultancy, reflect his commitment to innovation, sustainability, and long-term value creation. With decades of experience, Michael is known for his resilience, adaptability, and strategic insight. Beyond business, he empowers aspiring entrepreneurs through initiatives like Local Entrepreneur Institutes. Michael’s leadership exemplifies a dedication to fostering growth, strengthening communities, and shaping a future of opportunity and shared prosperity.

Linda Lorelle, a two-time Emmy and Gracie Award-winning journalist, anchored KPRC’s evening news for nearly seventeen years. A Stanford (B.A.) and Mizzou (M.A.) graduate, she founded a media firm in 2009, serving Fortune 500 clients and NGOs, and hosts the award-winning Our Voices Matter podcast. In 2024, she co-launched Civil Dialogues, a democracy project fostering respectful town hall discussions nationwide with Jean Becker, former chief of staff to President George H. W. Bush. Her Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund has provided over $4.7 million in scholarships and life skills training to nearly four hundred Houston students over thirty-four years, cementing her legacy as a champion for education, dialogue, and community impact.

Vicki Hollub is a trailblazer whose journey from humble roots to the helm of Occidental Petroleum is nothing short of extraordinary. Raised in Alabama, she began her career as a field engineer after earning a degree in mineral engineering from the University of Alabama. Over decades, she climbed the ranks with determination and vision, becoming the first woman to serve as President and CEO of Occidental Petroleum. Hollub made headlines with the bold $55 billion acquisition of Anadarko Petroleum, a landmark deal that reshaped the energy landscape. Under her leadership, Oxy has pioneered advancements in carbon capture and sustainability. Inspired by her mother’s resilience and the collective grit of her team, Vicki’s legacy is one of innovation, perseverance, and transformative leadership in the energy sector.