Tara Sharma

After her previous company was purchased, Tara Sharma realized it was the push she needed to look for a new opportunity and stepped into the role of vice president at RedOaks Energy Advisors. Her confidence in her abilities and openness to take on new, intimidating challenges has brought her to where she is today.

Why did you enter the oil and gas industry?

“I entered the oil and gas industry in the footsteps of my incredibly supportive family. My dad, Dr. Mukul Sharma, shared how interesting the oil and gas industry can be with me from a young age. On vacation at the beach as a kid, my dad would step on the sand to show me how the water moved away from his foot as an example of sand mechanics and pore pressure. My older brother, Dhruv Sharma, is also in the oil industry. Hearing about their experiences, I found the industry and its many challenges very fascinating.”

Which of your professional achievements are you most proud of?

“I am very proud of helping to build our amazing team at RedOaks Energy Advisors. Last year we had our best year ever and set records for deal counts, closing rate and revenue. This year we’re on track for another record-setting year. We have a highly talented and specialized A&D team. Our team continues to grow, and I think we will continue to build on our successes. It is a very exciting place to work.”

What qualities do you think are necessary for a good leader in the oil and gas industry?

“It is essential for a good leader to create a vision, set goals and empower others. A cooperative culture is created when a leader is focused on creating a cohesive team that brings out the best in people. It is sometimes difficult to focus on optimizing the whole rather than the parts, but a good leader has the capacity to consistently see the big picture.”

Who is your mentor, and what is the most valuable advice they have given you?

“David Carter, partner at RedOaks, is an excellent mentor. He inspires trust in his team through his competence, deep understanding of oil and gas markets and contagious confidence. He successfully navigated an unprecedented market environment with effortless optimism and pushed our team to emerge more resilient and with a larger market share of deals.”

What are your long- and short-term career goals? 

“I look forward to continuing to grow RedOaks Energy Advisors into a market leader in the oil and gas A&D space. We are fortunate to have clients who trust us with their assets, and we have been working diligently to secure top value for them. My goal is to continue to grow our team and set new records for deal counts, closing rate and revenue.”

What keeps you motivated and passionate about working in the oil and gas industry?

“I think oil and gas is one of the most exciting industries to be a part of. I feel like I am providing an essential service to society by being part of an industry that helps fuel the world. The market and the cutting-edge technology in our industry is constantly changing, and this keeps me motivated and passionate about the future.”

What do you think young industry members as a group have to offer that is unique to them? 

“Many young industry members have a different relationship and familiarity with technology that is unique to their generation. These young folks have the time and energy to devote to new ideas. They can take new tools, learn from more experienced professionals and apply these skills to old challenges in the industry. The partnership between these young industry members and those with more experience could yield industry-changing results.”

What transformations do you think the industry must undertake for it to thrive in the future?

“I think the industry’s ability to embrace change will allow it to thrive in the future. Cultural shifts, breakthrough technology and alternative approaches are already here. The key will be to incorporate the best parts of these changes and not resist new ideas for the sake of tradition alone.”