Katie Hill

From early in life, Katie Hill was learning to lead.

“My grandmother instilled in me a relentless curiosity and a deep appreciation for the value of education,” Hill said. “My mother taught me an invaluable lesson about perspective: while we may not always understand why people act the way they do, when faced with the choice to interpret someone’s intentions positively or negatively, always choose the positive. Most of the time, you’ll be right—and even if you’re not, you’ll be happier until proven otherwise.”

This foundation of curiosity and optimism set the stage for a lifetime of learning and growth. 

Mentors played a key role in shaping Hill’s career, encouraging her to challenge assumptions and remain adaptable.

“My Dad was my first mentor,” she recalls. “He taught me the importance of understanding fundamentals and testing what you know through teaching others. Another early mentor imparted valuable advice: every opportunity and every boss will present a mix of strengths and weaknesses. Some bosses you will enjoy working with, some will teach you a lot and others you will trust implicitly. If you have at least two of those three, it’s generally a productive opportunity.”

Now an accomplished leader, Hill strives for humility, collaboration and empowering her team. She fosters a collaborative environment where innovative thinking thrives.

“I encourage my team to set ambitious stretch goals that challenge them to grow while ensuring they have the support and resources they need to succeed,” Hill said. “By asking thoughtful questions and facilitating open dialogue, I help guide strategic and innovative thinking, ensuring our efforts align with broader organizational goals and long-term value creation.”

While collaboration is key, Hill doesn’t shy away from tough decisions. “I hope my colleagues would say they appreciate my decisiveness, focus on problem-solving, and willingness to adapt when needed. I work to create a team culture where challenges and disagreements are addressed openly and where solutions are developed collectively.” Hill also encourages a “fail fast” mindset which promotes testing new ideas quickly, constructive feedback and pivots as needed to find the best solutions. This approach fosters innovation, trust and a shared commitment to achieving goals efficiently and effectively. 

Hill earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan before starting her career as a deepwater Gulf of Mexico engineer. From there, she went ashore to support assets in the Utica, Eagle Ford, Barnett, Midcontinent and Uinta Basin. She now leads operations for Vital Energy in the Permian Basin. 

Hill’s technical and leadership skills were honed through a series of challenging roles. “I was drawn to the industry because of the complexity and scale of problems we get to solve,” Hill said. “My career in the energy industry has been shaped by a deep commitment to advancing domestic energy independence and ensuring reliable, affordable energy for American communities.”

Like many engineers who transition into executive roles, Hill had to develop new skills. “One of my most significant challenges was learning to communicate effectively across diverse professional settings, where perspectives, priorities and expertise can vary widely,” she notes. “Building these skills requires active listening, adaptability and ensuring alignment among cross-disciplinary teams.”

She also tackled the unique challenges of a cyclical industry and strives to turn volatility into opportunities. “By leveraging data-driven strategies, fostering collaboration and focusing on long-term operational efficiency, I’ve been able to turn these challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth,” Hill said.

Hill’s journey from curious learner to innovative leader is a testament to the power of strong values, mentorship, and adaptability. Her resilience and her technical expertise, combined with her collaborative leadership style, continue to drive success in the ever-changing energy industry.

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