Fueling Future Energy Leaders: Empowering the 7th Cohort of the WBENC Energy Executive Program

As WBENC accelerates ahead into 2025, the Energy Executive Program (EEP) marked a powerful milestone—completing its 7th year with an exceptional cohort of dynamic and driven Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) from across the energy sector.

These visionary business leaders came together to deepen their industry expertise, forge high-impact connections, and position their companies for long-term success in the evolving global energy landscape.

49-Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) participated in a 3-day hands-on opportunity in Houston, Texas, to gain a deeper understanding of all segments of the Energy Industry. This field-based learning experience provided practical knowledge of the energy industry and created opportunities for women entrepreneurs to build relationships with corporations across various industry segments, expanding their areas of opportunity.

This highly interactive and immersive executive education experience was made possible by the amazing Corporate Participants: Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Hess Corporation, and Shell USA, Inc.

Watch the Cohort Recap Video

In Phase One, the cohort participated in four (4) dynamic virtual sessions with leading industry stakeholders, diving into key topics such as New Energies, the different streams of the energy supply chain, Chemicals, and more!

In Phase Two, business owners gathered for an immersive three-day, in-person experience in Houston, Texas, to gain a deeper understanding of all segments of the energy industry. This interactive learning opportunity provided practical industry knowledge while fostering connections with corporate partners and fellow WBEs to drive collaboration and long-term success.

This signature executive education experience was made possible by the incredible support of our Corporate Participants: Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Hess Corporation, and Shell USA, Inc. The EEP sponsors demonstrated their commitment to the success of diverse businesses that are essential to the global energy supply chain while engaging with the participants throughout the week.

In addition, Thompson Hospitality, a minority-owned and family-run food service management company, has been an incredible partner and supporter of the Energy Executive program.

The on-site programming featured highly curated and engaging corporate-led presentations, small group coaching sessions, an industry leadership panel, networking dinners, and field-based activities across the Greater Houston area.

Photos from the Cohort

The program concluded with a collaborative Community Impact Event in partnership with Shell USA, Inc., Thompson Hospitality, and the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA). The EEP cohort closed out the week by giving back to the Houston community. WBEs workshopped with local entrepreneurial-minded students to help map out their businesses’ next steps. The students presented their future business plans to an encouraging audience of WBEs, fostering mentorship and inspiration.

The Energy Executive Program was a valuable experience. It not only provided insight to the energy industry, but it brought together women business owners from around the United States and allowed us to bond in a few short days and make a connection that probably would not have never happened otherwise. The "ENERGY" was real in the room! It was an EXPERIENCE not a program.

Barb Smith

President | Journey Steel, Inc.

The 2023 Energy Executive Program through WBENC was an excellent opportunity to connect with business owners and operators. The program helped me understand the importance of our role in providing engineering solutions to continue improving the safety and reliability of existing infrastructure and supporting exciting solutions for the energy transition. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the program thanks to the generosity of the corporate partners and the expert planning by the WBENC support staff.

Lacey Payne

President & CEO | EDM Services, Inc.

WBENC Energy Executive Program 2024 Cohort

Congratulations to the following Women Owned Businesses for successfully completing the WBENC Energy Executive Program:

Cohort Selection Process

Participants in the WBENC Energy Executive Program are selected and welcomed into the cohort through a competitive application process that begins mid-summer. Cohort participants may be selected through a participating corporation: Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Hess Corporation, and Shell USA, Inc. Selection criteria for the participants includes:

Currently certified and in good standing as a WBENC-Certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE).
Must be the majority owner of the company and have a minimum of three years’ experience operating a business.
Maintain a minimum annual sales volume of $1,000,000.
Provide goods and/or services applicable to the Energy Industry.

About the WBENC Energy Executive Program

The WBENC Energy Executive Program is an annual program that will be welcoming applications in Summer 2025 for the next cohort. Stay up to date on all things EEP by visiting our program page and subscribing to the WBENC newsletter.