Julie Woodard
Impressions matter.
Julie Woodard has been the beneficiary of a lot of advice over her career, but those two words encapsulate much of it.
“Your reputation is what you have that you can control,” she says. “Our industry and profession are highly dependent on successful relationships, and every interaction that we have with someone leaves an impression.”
Woodard launched her career as a Landman with Chesapeake Energy after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics, pre-law from Oklahoma State University and completing the Energy Management program at the University of Oklahoma. She led land business development and exploration activities in the Midcontinent before becoming Land Manager for Chesapeake’s Marcellus land team in 2016. In 2024, she was named Senior Land Manager for Expand Energy following its creation by the merger of Chesapeake and Southwestern Energy.
No matter how educated, everyone who joins this business has a lot to learn about the oil and gas industry, and among those Woodard credits for mentoring her are land professionals who spent countless hours helping her to develop technical acumen and expertise.
“I am surrounded by industry experts and thought leaders who have consistently been supportive of me and who have influenced how I approach strategic issues using innovation,” she said.
The advice she received was straightforward and provided a foundation for career success:
- Learn her role and expectations;
- Deliver more than is expected;
- Volunteer and participate in as many professional association events as time would allow; and
- Earn trust to earn more responsibility.
Mentors are not the only teachers, though. Life happens, as well, as Woodard, married with three children, has learned.
“One of the challenges I have faced is how to balance work and personal life,” she said. “Striking a balance between professional responsibilities and personal demands can be very difficult. Implementing boundaries has been critical to ensuring a healthier work-life balance.”
Another aspect of her on-the-job education was managing periods of boom and bust.
“Price fluctuations and geopolitical events have had direct impact on financial investment in development projects and, as such, companies experience either expansion or contraction,” Woodard said. “Either scenario results in a need for creativity from an asset management standpoint and that is where intellectual development opportunities arise—create value given the resources (or lack thereof) you have.”
One of the resources she counts on is her team. Woodard’s goal as a manager is to create trust and promote collaboration with the goal of having an effective and engaged team.
“Motivation should stem from the environment that is created whereby each team member feels trusted, valued and empowered to make a difference through the work that they do,” she said. “Recognizing victories and failures are critical to motivation.”
Woodard said she hopes her colleagues view her as a professional who brings value to the table and respects the value they bring.
“I respect all perspectives and exhibit trustworthiness, positivity and communicate effectively,” she said. “I am willing to admit my shortfalls and areas of weakness. Being self-aware and being willing to talk about it speaks volumes and can have a dramatic effect on dynamics and effectiveness of a leadership team.”
Three More Things
1. My favorite vacation adventure so far has been ziplining through the jungle in Costa Rica.
2. I spend most of my time outside of work at dance competitions with our girls and the football stadium or basketball gym with our son.
3. Although I attended both Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma, I consider myself a Cowboy!