Deanna Reitman

From her first energy job as an office manager for a derivatives  trading desk while in college, Deanna Reitman was well aware of the energy industry’s male dominance. What she didn’t realize until later was the support and camaraderie among women in the sector.

“I vividly recall attending conferences where, out of 200 attendees, only two were women,” she said. “We would naturally gravitate towards each other, offering confidence, strength and comfort in an environment where we were often outnumbered.”

The solidarity among women has had a profound impact on her work, Reitman said, providing her with the courage to ask questions and engage actively in discussions, even in rooms predominantly filled with men.

“These interactions empowered me to invite myself to dinners and drinks, building a network of support that bolstered my professional confidence,” she said. 

Feminine strength has always been an essential component of Reitman’s life.

“My mother grew up in foster care … and her resilience and determination to overcome her circumstances profoundly shaped my ambitions and work ethic,” she said. “From an early age, I was inspired by my mother’s unwavering strength and her ability to face adversity with grace and perseverance. Her experiences instilled in me the importance of hard work, education and self-reliance. Despite the challenges she faced, she always emphasized the value of seizing every opportunity and never giving up on my dreams.”

Since launching her energy career, with law degree and MBA in hand, Reitman’s aspirations have evolved. “When I first entered the industry, my primary goals were straightforward: I needed to survive and make a living,” she said. As she advanced, she set a personal benchmark to excel in whatever she undertook, which led Reitman to build a strong foundation in legal and regulatory compliance, particularly within the energy markets.

“At Faegre Drinker, I am actively involved in developing carbon and sustainable digital commodities markets,” she said. “I am also dedicated to structuring complex energy security transactions that transform waste energy products into new, valuable energy commodities.”

“My work aims to demonstrate that market-based solutions can drive significant progress in combating climate change. By fostering innovation and regulatory compliance, I strive to show that human ingenuity and market mechanisms are key to solving some of our most pressing environmental challenges.”

Among past challenges in her career, Reitman faced resistance from colleagues with political agendas.

“This manifested in various forms, particularly as I began to achieve notable success in my field,” she said. “I have always just concentrated on the work to be done and the cultivation of everyone on the team in order to provide the client with the best work product. I have never thought to focus on any political or internal organizational agenda to further my own career.”

Reitman relied on her own resilience and a strong support system, particularly her husband Glenn, to navigate difficult situations at work and focus on her professional goals. 

She also promised herself to seek opportunities elsewhere if she felt her contributions were not valued or respected.

“This mindset empowered me to make strategic career moves, ensuring that I was surrounded by individuals and organizations that recognized and appreciated my experience and proficiency in the industry and hard work,” she said. 

Reitman counsels young professionals in the energy industry to be open to learning and to work hard, but also to be patient.

“Career growth in this field can take time, and it’s important to remain steadfast and persistent,” she said. “They should take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way, whether it’s a new project, a challenging assignment or a chance to expand their network. These experiences will build their expertise and open doors for future advancement.”

But, Reitman said, it won’t happen unless the work genuinely excites them.

“Passion for their work will drive them to excel and stay motivated even during challenging times,” she said. “They shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes; they are an inevitable part of the learning process. Embracing mistakes, learning from them and using them as stepping stones to improve and grow is essential."

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