10: The Other Half of a Technical Career (Inside IMAGE '26)

The SEG & AAPG Women’s Network brought together six leaders for a conversation on technical leadership and decision-making in complex energy environments. The panel focused on what happens as technical experts take on greater responsibility, where decisions cannot wait for perfect information and leadership increasingly depends on understanding people as well as the work. A few ideas that stood out from the panel: * Patricia de Lugão: Good managers are people who know the subject. * Rachael Moreland: Even a degree in neuroscience has helped shape her path in geoscience. * Lorena Moscardelli: Procrastinate. Sometimes what first looks like noise becomes signal. * Marianne Rauch: You cannot get to 100 percent certainty. At some point, you have to say, “Enough.” * Allison Kennedy Thurmond: Be intentional. Be ready with Plan B and Plan C. * Tai Prince: Not everyone thinks like you. Remember that when dealing with a difficult challenge or colleague. After the panel, I continued the conversation with Patricia de Lugão and Allison Kennedy Thurmond. This is a true Inside IMAGE episode, as Patricia, Allison, and I built on what was shared on the panel in real time. Even with that impromptu feel, there are meaningful tips and well-earned wisdom throughout. For the full description of the Women’s Network Executive Panel and biographies of all six panelists, visit https://www.imageevent.org/special-events/special-session-panel-session/high-impact-technical-leadership-executive-decision-making-in-complex-energy-environments. And a special thanks to the moderator of the panel, Maria Angela Capello. LINKS * Attend IMAGE '26 - www.imageevent.org/ * View the Inside IMAGE '26 Podcast Schedule - public.3.basecamp.com/p/LETDMZk3GvZ42PzjQMdmY7in * Listen to Inside IMAGE Podcast Series - www.imageevent.org/podcast