Crystal Heter

“I never looked to the top of the mountain and wondered how to get there,” Crystal Heter said. “I simply eagerly tackled the steps right before me and encouraged others around me. In the blink of an eye, the daily accomplishments amount to significant progress.”

Possessing the mindset to focus on the next steps is integral to success, particularly if the assets you work with have changed hands.

“Corporate transactions have taught me not to fear change. Without change we are stagnant in growth whether from a business or personal perspective,” Heter said. “Perhaps I’ve just been extremely fortunate, but each progression of the company has brought positive growth in so many ways. The opportunity to witness and influence the evolution of this company’s culture has been such a privilege. In the Tallgrass of today, we have concentrated such a dynamic team of strategic thinkers that bring the balance of diversity and alignment to accomplish initiatives at a pace and an approach second to none.”

Heter’s career began with an internship with Texaco in her hometown of Denver following her senior year in high school. She was also encouraged by a high school chemistry teacher who told her, “We need more women engineers.”

After she earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, she continued her education during construction of the 1,700-mile Rockies Express Pipeline, where the mantra from her mentors was always “bring a solution, not just a problem.”

Another morsel of helpful advice from a mentor is almost Sherlock Holmes-esque: “Only in considering all the potential solutions, even those that initially seem absurd, can the best option be found.”

One of the greatest challenges Heter has faced in her career is stepping back so that a subordinate can find that solution.

“I have found one of the greatest challenges of progression to be transitioning from a doer to a leader. High performers realize progression early by being the best doers and once they move into leadership, delegating to your team, allowing space for failure and growth, is hard!” she said. “Personal growth and progression are hard! This can be one’s failure as a leader if they aren’t cognizant of the challenge and intention to manage out of their doer mode.”

What has not been a challenge for Heter is facing adversity as a woman in a traditionally male industry.

“I have had more than my fair share of male mentors supporting my growth,” she said. “I believe it is invaluable, and often forgotten, to celebrate men who support women. It is through the acknowledgement by men that women are perfectly capable of the same achievements that we truly rise and become inspirations for the next generation of women leaders.”

On that, Heter cites the familiar quote, “Here’s to strong women: May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”

“I didn’t get the opportunity to raise strong women, but I do have the exceptional opportunity to raise my two sons, Maximus and Crosby, to recognize and respect them,” she said.

To those entering the oil and gas industry, Heter suggests focusing on taking the next steps and not worrying so much about the career mountain up ahead.

“My advice to young professionals would be that nothing can replace commitment to your work,” she said. “If you are committed to performing at your best each moment, your career can build with great momentum. Surround yourself with like-minded colleagues of diverse backgrounds and get to work!”

Check out the rest of Hart Energy's 2025 Women in Energy here.