Women in Energy: Alisa Lukash, Rystad Energy

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[Editor's note: Influential Women In Energy 2023 is a supplement to the February 2023 issue of Oil and Gas Investor magazine. Subscribe here.]

Alisa Lukash is a Ukrainian immigrant who pursues knowledge and has built her career on the impact of global markets. She is a martial arts aficionado who trained kung fu with the Shaolin Monks in China, karate in Okinawa, Japan, Muay Thai in Thailand and boxing in the U.K. 

She also is vice president and head of carbon policy research at Oslo-based Rystad Energy, the biggest independent energy consultancy in Norway. 

Lukash earned her bachelor’s degree in international economics from Taras Shevchenko National University in Kiev, Ukraine, and then added a Master of Science degree in finance from the Hult International Business School in London. After completing her master’s degree, she worked as a market data consultant covering the global investment banks in London.

Lukash left that role to focus on a specific business sector, choosing energy because it was in her opinion one of the most complex and interesting, with a combination of geology, finance, geopolitics, data science and chemistry that she found both fascinating and challenging. 

Lukash led Rystad’s ESG research as well as shale financial research on E&P companies for six years. This year, Lukash will take on a broader role as Rystad’s head of climate policies, analyzing regional and corporate climate strategies and advising the market on how to navigate energy transition and climate change.

Approach to energy

“Companies need to have better emissions monitoring systems and data standardization processes. I will be bold and say that the E&P industry is mainly driven by investor sentiment rather than the fact that we are facing global warming, the effects of which are the most tremendous on the poorest and most fragile regions of the world. I think it will be very beneficial for all the people in leadership positions in the industry to get out of business analysis for a second and look into a larger picture—the World Bank Group Climate and Development Report or World Poverty Report—[and] see the effects that emissions of leading countries have on Sub Saharan and other fragile regions, etc. I believe this would flare another wave of excitement and ambition to reduce carbon and other emissions.”

Navigating gender inequality 

“The oil and gas industry traditionally hasn’t been the most comfortable place for women. Throughout my career I have had handshakes ignored, been perceived as a secretary to older male colleagues, witnessed inappropriate jokes about women and much more. But what I will always advise to young females is what helped me—position yourself professionally and respectfully in all situations. Unfortunately to this day women have to prove their value more than men do in some situations, but I do believe that this bias is changing. We have to inform both males and females about these challenges and help both parties to navigate gender inequality.”

“One of the most rewarding milestones is when the market appreciates your opinion—for example, OPEC asking me to advise at technical meetings. What helped me to get to my current place in my career was dedication, taking ownership, not being afraid of being creative and passionate and always continuing learning.” —Alisa Lukash

Creating career milestones

“Through my career at Rystad, I have proven to be good at developing new research and extremely fast learning, as well as managing different products and workflows. I am very fortunate to have had leadership role models around me and been able to learn through collaboration. I believe that one of my strengths is to not be afraid to think creatively and explore the impact of market events on different participants, from companies to economies.” 

“One of the most rewarding milestones is when the market appreciates your opinion—for example, OPEC asking me to advise at technical meetings. What helped me to get to my current place in my career was dedication, taking ownership, not being afraid of being creative and passionate and always continuing learning.”

Three more things

1. I served as an advisor to OPEC at the ninth and 11th OPEC technical meeting in Vienna.
2. I have finished an eight-year music education in Ukraine, studying piano. And yes, I have been part of a music band. 
3. I have relocated to a different country every two years for the past 10 years (Ukraine—London—Oslo—New York—Oslo). I have also probably changed close to 50 different rental places during the same period.

View the full list of this year’s honorees at Hart Energy LIVE.