Group Mentorship Program – Leadership & Decision-Making

May 20, 2026 | Women in Energy Network

On Tuesday, 19th May 2026, the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) hosted another impactful session of our Group Mentorship Program. The topic: “Leadership and Decision Making as a Woman in the Energy Sector” with our Vice President, Upstream, Ifeoma Ukabiala.

As someone early in my career in energy, I walked away with practical insights that I can apply immediately. More importantly, I saw again why WIEN’s mentorship model works for young professionals like me.

What we learnt

Leadership is about ownership, not titles

Ifeoma emphasized that leadership starts long before you have “Manager” or “Lead” in your job title. It’s about taking ownership of your work, speaking up in rooms where decisions are made, and being consistent in how you deliver. For young professionals, this means looking for small problems you can own and solve well.

Decision making in energy is rarely 100% clear

One key point that resonated: In our sector, you often have to make decisions with 70-80% of the information. Waiting for perfect data can mean missing the window to act. The skill is in balancing technical rigor with business context and risk awareness.

Your network is your multiplier

We discussed how mentorship, sponsorship, and peer relationships open doors in ways technical skill alone cannot. WIEN’s group mentorship structure gives young professionals access to senior leaders across the energy value chain- Upstream, Midstream, Downstream Oil & Gas, Power and Renewables, not just in one company, but across the industry.

Confidence comes from preparation

A recurring theme was preparation. Whether it’s presenting to stakeholders or making an operational decision, the confidence to lead comes from doing the work beforehand. For young professionals, this means volunteering for stretch assignments and asking for feedback early.

Why this matters for young professionals

WIEN’s Group Mentorship Program is designed to close the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world leadership in energy. Through sessions like this, we:

• Get direct access to senior women leading in the sector
• Learn how to navigate technical and people challenges
• Build a community that supports growth beyond one company or role

Since 2020, WIEN has been intentional about creating spaces where young women in energy can learn, connect, and lead. This session was another reminder that we don’t have to figure it out alone.

What’s next for me

My commitment from this session is to practice making decisions faster with the information I have, and to seek feedback within 48 hours of each decision. Small shift, but it builds the muscle for bigger leadership roles down the line.

Thank you, Ifeoma Ukabiala, for your openness and practical guidance. And thank you to the WIEN team for keeping this platform alive for the next generation of women in energy.

If you’re a young professional in energy and not yet part of the WIEN community, this is your sign to join. Follow @wie_network on Instagram and X, and Women in Energy Network on LinkedIn and Facebook for upcoming sessions.

Tags: #WomenInEnergy #WIEN #Leadership #Mentorship #EnergySector #YoungProfessionals #WomenInSTEM #CareerGrowth