Carolina Ortega

Carolina Ortega was all about sustainability before sustainability was hip.

“I have a passion for driving positive change on environmental and social issues,” she said. “I joined the oil and gas industry because I wanted to make a positive impact in the lives of communities touched by the industry. Prior to joining this industry, I worked for two global consumer products companies, also in the sustainability field.”

Ortega said she fell in love with sustainability because it provided an avenue to be an agent of positive change.

“I always knew that sustainability should have an important seat at the table and I worked hard for many years for this to happen. Almost 23 years later, looking at my career and my current role, I would have never, in my wildest dreams, imagined this was possible.”

For the oil and gas industry to thrive in the future, sustainability must be a factor.

“I believe the industry must further its transparency about the positive and negative impacts of its operations,” Ortega said. “Similarly, the approach to stakeholder engagement and building solid, mutually beneficial relationships with host communities will be a key determinant of success in the years to come.”

A native of Mexico City, Ortega views travel, experiencing other cultures and speaking different languages as key components of her business leadership and entrepreneurial skills set.

“This has given me the superpower to be adaptable, curious and unafraid of change,” she said. “In an industry where change is constant, this has helped me stay resilient in the face of many challenges.”

Among her adventures:

• Working in Malawi and Mozambique to eradicate child labor in farming;
• Building social responsibility projects for Bedouin women in the desert of Oman;
• Discussing sustainability (in French) with the Labor Minister of Gabon; and
• Leading the Social Responsibility Group of IPIECA (the global oil and gas trade association for social and environmental issues) for four years.

Ortega has made it a point to pursue partnerships in the workplace.

“I seek out internal allies for my work and my priority issues in the companies where I’ve worked,” she said. “These mentors and peers have enriched my career in immeasurable ways. I’ve also had the honor and privilege to work with amazingly supportive women, who have taught me that we need one another to further our careers.”

Early in her career, a boss taught her that a steadfast commitment to excellence and exceptional work would take her far. She still believes this to be true.

“My M.O. is a strong commitment to excellence, transparency, collaboration and always doing the right thing,” Ortega said. “I believe this is what my peers and colleagues appreciate the most about me.”

She is an optimist when it comes to the future of oil and gas, holding “a deep and strong belief that the energy industry is a force for good and can continue to transform the lives of millions for many years to come. The energy industry will continue to be a key player in the energy transition, and I want to contribute to that transformation.”

Check out the rest of Hart Energy's 2024 Women in Energy here.