Melanie Hill
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Funny how the oil and gas business can grow on a person. When she started her career, Melanie Hill imagined herself happy with a finance job in which travel was defined as a daily commute to the office. But when an opportunity popped up to join the operations side of the energy business, she seized it and headed to the airport. “Now, 15 years later, I am traveling all over the Lower 48 visiting Danos employees and customers,” she says. In her position as general manager, she is one of the few women in senior operational leadership. “I credit Danos for their support and commitment to people and community. Their actions, such as community engagement, align with my values and make my achievements even more meaningful.”
Which of your professional achievements are you most proud of?
One of my proudest professional achievements is expanding Danos’ presence in the Rocky Mountain region. In 2020, I embraced the challenge of seeding new opportunities in Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Through collaboration and strategic planning, we significantly grew our business in these areas, establishing Danos as a strong market player. Another key achievement was my promotion to general manager of shale production in 2023. Working closely with our operations manager and regional managers, I helped integrate and streamline our onshore production activities and created a focused, coordinated team. This reorganization led to increased efficiencies and competitiveness in the market.
What professional advice would you give other young professionals?
Finding a mentor and seeking their guidance is a crucial aspect of career development in any industry, including oil and gas. By actively listening to mentors and incorporating their advice into your professional journey, you can accelerate your growth, navigate challenges more effectively and build a solid foundation for a successful career in the industry.
What keeps you motivated and passionate about working in the oil and gas industry?
The industry offers diverse career opportunities across various disciplines, from engineering and geosciences to finance, project management and sustainability. This diversity allows professionals to develop and explore different career paths. Personally, I have worked in many of the different areas including finance, commercial, management and operations.
What do you think young industry members as a group have to offer that is unique to them?
Having grown up with rapidly changing technology, many young professionals are entrepreneurial and innovative. This allows them to be more willing to challenge traditional ways of thinking and to explore new business models, partnerships and technologies that drive industry progress.
Which transformations do you think the industry must undertake for it to thrive in the future?
In today’s world, the industry must be more agile and adaptable to market fluctuations, geopolitical shifts and regulatory changes. This involves streamlining operations, reducing bureaucracy and fostering a culture of innovation and quick decision-making.
How have you exercised leadership to help shape your company?
Throughout my tenure at Danos, I have prioritized safety and continuous improvement. By fostering a culture of safety, we have not only improved our operational efficiency but also ensured the well-being of our workforce. Additionally, I try to encourage a mindset of continuous improvement by implementing regular feedback sessions and promoting innovative solutions to help solve challenges.
Take a look at the rest of the Forty Under 40 2024 winners.
