Samantha Richardson

When Samantha Richardson’s first child underwent multiple surgeries as an infant and a toddler, she was spared one worry as a parent: the operating room would not lose power.

Many families worldwide lack access to these essential resources, a privilege Americans often take for granted, Richardson said. Her deeply held belief that every individual deserves access to affordable and reliable energy is what motivates her work in the oil and gas industry.

“Witnessing unreliable infrastructure in countries that lack these resources, including the small, remote village in Brazil that my mother was raised in, has fueled my commitment to working towards ensuring that future generations encounter less of these challenges,” she said.

Richardson has more perspective than most about the global impact of energy. Growing up the daughter of a drilling operations leader, she visited rigs, shared meals with rig hands and spent weekends at the office with her dad. She was born in Saudi Arabia, spent her childhood in Oman, Kuwait, Egypt and UAE, and eventually made it back to her father’s hometown of Denver.

“The global, diverse and ever-evolving nature of the oil and gas industry offers a unique platform for connectivity, innovation and creative solutions to meet our growing global energy needs and goals,” Richardson said. “This dynamic combination aligns with my vision of harboring diverse thinking to contribute to a more sustainable and interconnected world.”

As a seasoned professional in the natural resource industry and a devoted mother, she works hard to instill feminist values in her son and daughter, reflecting the influence of her own mother who, despite lacking the privilege to obtain higher education, prioritized her children's education and encouraged them to explore all opportunities. This passion extends beyond her family as she is passionate about promoting women’s empowerment in the oil and gas sector.

“This industry provides women with opportunities in the U.S. that might be constrained in regions abundant with resources but facing different challenges,” Richardson said. “By promoting local growth within the industry, we are inherently creating avenues for women’s empowerment, especially in regions where they may encounter more limitations.”

Richardson's diverse mentorship experiences have significantly shaped her leadership philosophy. At Tallgrass, her first peer, who she still considers a female role model, not only developed her foundation of skills as she transitioned into a commercial role, but this person also served as the catalyst for Richardson’s pursuit into leadership. This experience is proof that mentorship in non-traditional forms are equally impactful as it inspired Richardson to focus on leveraging the collective knowledge of those around her, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives.

Building on this foundation, Richardson’s current boss has fostered her development in strategic thinking and encourages her to lead authentically. His confidence in her knowledge and leadership style have inspired her to enable her team and the people she interacts with to surpass their perceived capabilities.

“This statement,” she said, “captures his vision as a leader: ‘I know I’ve been successful as a leader when you no longer feel the need to consult with me on every critical decision. My goal is that, one day, you become so successful that I eventually will work for you.’”

Richardson said she often echoes that statement to members of her own team.

“This captures my commitment to fostering an environment where personal growth is not only encouraged but actively supported,” she said. “In essence, my goals have shifted from personal knowledge acquisition to a focus on empowering and nurturing the potential within others, creating a culture where each individual can thrive and contribute to the success of our organization.”

Richardson earned her bachelor’s degree in metallurgical and materials engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, but she believes that the industry cannot rely on technological prowess alone to thrive in the future.

“I believe that focus should extend beyond technical aspects and include a shift in approach and culture,” she said. “Cultivate an atmosphere where industry players, even competitors, can be allies. Collaboration is crucial for tackling shared challenges, encouraging innovation and driving the industry forward. Embrace discomfort by pushing professionals to step outside their comfort zones and engage with new viewpoints to overcome challenges.”

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