At the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES 2024), the Equality in Energy conference marked a pivotal moment, offering a range of compelling sessions and panel discussions. Held on the final day under the theme ‘Enabling a People-Centered Energy Future’, the conference delved into topics encompassing diversity, inclusion, and the ongoing transformation of the energy sector to attract the next generation of talent.

The Equality in Energy Conference not only explored the importance of diversity and inclusion but also examined how the industry is evolving to become a more enticing career path for the emerging cohort of STEM Millennial and Gen Z graduates. With a focus on the challenges inherent in navigating the energy transition and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the conference underscored the pivotal role these young professionals will play as leaders driving essential changes within the sector.

The Equality in Energy conference commenced with a keynote address by Moushira Khattab, President of the National Council for Human Rights. In her speech, Khattab highlighted compelling research findings, indicating that diverse teams outperform their non-diverse counterparts by up to 35%. She emphasized the unique perspective that women bring to the table, noting their ability to approach information with different lenses, leading to increased sensitivity to details and fostering innovation within teams.

Meanwhile, in his speech, Moataz Moussa, Vice President of Business Services at Wintershall Dea, agrees, stating that “Diversity is not just a buzzword, it is vital for progress and prosperity.”

The conference featured a panel discussion on empowering a net-zero-ready workforce and rethinking talent development. Distinguished panelists included Salma Al Hajeri, Regional Vice President, Operations – East-Med & North Africa at Mubadala Energy; Sherif Wassef, Learning & Development Partner at Hitachi Energy; Moataz Serag, Country Director Egypt at Taqa; Zainub Noor, Director, Scouting and Innovation at Halliburton Labs; and Tareq Al Hosani, Vice President, Energy & Projects Academy at ADNOC.

Wassef explained that the world is changing, and the workplace needs to cope with this. “Change is not something easy, but it is there, and it is happening, and it is the constant thing,” he pointed out.

Al Hajeri emphasized that building a resilient workforce entails more than just possessing the necessary skills. She underscored the importance of organizations adapting new processes and creating conducive working environments to attract and retain the younger generation. Additionally, she highlighted the significance of equipping young professionals with the tools and resources they need to continuously learn and grow within the industry.

Serag echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Taqa’s approach to recruiting new talent. He explained that the company initiates the process by providing training and raising awareness among potential hires. Furthermore, Serag emphasized the inclusion of sustainability backgrounds, particularly from an academic standpoint, as a key criterion in their hiring process.

Another panel was held under the theme ‘The Role of HR in the Evolving Energy Landscape’. Panelists were Samar Yehia, HR Vice President at Schneider Electric; Muzzamil Khider Ahmed, Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer at Baker Hughes; Brandy Jones, HR Vice President at Apache Corporation; Maha Ahmed, HR Director at Lekela Power; Walid Tayel, Group Chief HR Officer at El Sewedy Electric; and Heba Abaza, HR Director, Middle East at Eaton.

During the panel discussion on talent retention, Ahmed emphasized the importance of providing employees with a clear career trajectory. He asserted, “Retention hinges on offering our employees a well-defined career path within the organization.”

Moreover, Jones stated “We are really partnering in a strategic way to help management and leadership have those discussions with employees all the way down to the well. Communication is key.”

Meanwhile, the third panel discussed redefining success: millennial and Gen Z perspectives on careers in energy. Panelists were Nawal Nouri, Head of HR & Communications North Africa at ENGIE; Yousra Assaker, Senior Energy Specialist at World Bank; Eric Oechslin, Director at International Labour Organization; Wafaa El Ashry, HR Manager Egypt at Shell; and Yara Rashad, HR Director at KarmSolar.

The final panel tackled fostering a culture of equality and gender diversity in the energy industry. Panelists were Kristian Svendsen, Country Manager at Chevron Egypt; Nahla Abid, Vice President Sales, Strategy, Middle East, Caspian Sea Region at Bureau Veritas; Manal El-Jesri, Public Affairs Manager at Methanex Egypt; Nahla Arsenault, Capex and Turnaround Lead at Fertiglobe; Asma Almani, MENA Chair at Lean in Equity & Sustainability; and Giuseppe Vischetti, Chief Financial Officer at Energean International.

Equality in Energy Awards

At the end of the Equality in Energy Conference, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El Molla presented the EGYPES 2024 Equality in Energy Awards on February 21st.

For the NEX-GEN Female of the Year, the winner was Serene Lock Sow Mun, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Petronas. The runner-up was Yasmine Esam Saad, Production & Energy Efficiency Engineer at Eni.

For the Talent Development Program of the year, the winner was Hassan Allam Holding for Hassan Allam Talent Program. The runner-up was Methanex Egypt for Fresh Graduates Development Program.

For the Women in Leadership Award, the winner was Mona Al Adawy, Founder and CEO of GeoEnergy. The runner-up was Shareefa Al Rashid, Senior Petroleum Engineer at KUFPEC.