Global Leadership Topic of UW Forums Tuesday

Recognized international leaders in their respective fields will share their experiences during two panel discussions Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the University of Wyoming.

“Global Energy: Leadership from Wyoming” will take place from noon-1 p.m. in the Wyoming Union Family Room. Box lunches will be available.

“It is remarkable that these individuals with deep ties to Wyoming and its university have gone on to achieve global prominence in the energy sector,” says Mark Northam, UW School of Energy Resources director. “This is a rare opportunity to bring together such an accomplished group to share their experiences with the community and provide insights into how their time in Wyoming has contributed to their success.”

The second event, “Women’s Global Leadership Forum,” is from 5-6:15 p.m. in the Berry Center auditorium. Appetizers and refreshments will be available.

“This is a very special opportunity to hear from three women with diverse backgrounds who have been recognized internationally for their contributions to their professions,” says Jean Garrison, director of the UW Center for Global Studies. 

Speakers at the Global Energy Leadership Forum, hosted by the School of Energy Resources, are:

Tom Botts, retired executive vice president for global manufacturing at Shell Downstream. A 1977 UW graduate, he was  responsible for Shell’s global manufacturing business, which included all of its refineries and chemical complexes around the world. Botts and his wife, Shelley, live in Houston and have two daughters and a son. His interests include horses, music, playing the guitar and snowboarding.

Joe Leimkuhler, vice president of drilling for LLOG Exploration based in Covington, La. He previously was offshore well delivery manager for Shell International E&P Co., covering all Gulf of Mexico well operations for semi-submersible and drillships. He previously served in a similar role as the offshore well delivery manager for Shell E&P-Americas, covering all TLP, platform and jack-up based offshore well operations in the Americas. Leimkuhler holds bachelor’s degrees in geology and forestry from the University of Montana and a master’s degree in petroleum engineering from UW.

Ann Pickard, executive vice president, Royal Dutch Shell Arctic, responsible for Shell’s Arctic exploration efforts. Described by Fortune Magazine as the bravest woman in oil and one of the 50 most powerful women in business, she has held international leadership positions in exploration and production, manufacturing, chemicals, supply and distribution, and alternative energy systems. A Cheyenne native, she holds a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California-San Diego.

Pickard also will participate in the Women’s Global Leadership forum hosted by the UW Center for Global Studies and SER. She will be joined by:

Elinor Burkett, senior visiting scholar in global studies at UW who has received awards from the National Press Club, Penney-Missouri and the New York Newswomen; two Fulbright professorships; and a dozen international film honors, including an Oscar for best short documentary. An experienced university professor and journalist, she has lived or worked in 13 countries. Burkett has contributed stories as a historian and documentary filmmaker, a reporter for the Miami Herald, in nine books of nonfiction, and scores of articles in America’s leading magazines.

Rita Meyer, Rocky Mountain Power’s vice president for Wyoming, is an accomplished professional with diverse experience in business, energy, government and military service. Meyer, who served four years as Wyoming state auditor, retired as a colonel with the Wyoming Air National Guard in 2007 after commanding in both Iraq and Afghanistan. She holds bachelor’s degrees in education and finance from UW, an MBA in international business from Regis University in Denver, and a master’s degree in national resource strategy from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.