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WEBINAR: ESG - The Operator Perspective
Thursday, September 24, 2020, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM MDT
Category: Breakfast Speaker Series

WEBINAR: ESG - The Operator Perspective

In recent years, environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals and programs have materialized as a key focus area for companies across the oil and gas production chain. Only exacerbated by the current COVID-19 pandemic and the correlating market downturn, ESG initiatives have emerged as an opportunity to showcase the significant improvements made by industry to shift investor and community perceptions.

Join us for an in-depth conversation with representatives from Great Western Petroleum and Ovintiv as we discuss some of the challenges, initiatives, and actions taken relating to ESG. Additionally, the panel will examine the future of oil & gas as a result of more elevated ESG goals across the investor community and industry at large. Webinar participants are encouraged to come ready with questions.

This event is FREE for members and $10 for non-members. As a reminder, all sales are final and non-refundable.

Registration has now CLOSED. If you are a member, you will be able to watch the recording through our member portal after the event has concluded.


Our Panelists:

 

Anne Carto (Moderator)

Engagement Manager
Adamantine Energy 

Anne Carto brings a unique experience in community outreach, stakeholder relations, and regulatory navigation to Adamantine Energy as Engagement Manager.  Her work focuses on mitigating social risk around energy and infrastructure projects using trends and research to inform strategic planning including stakeholder outreach and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices and reporting. Most recently, Anne served as Community Outreach Manager for the Colorado Oil & Gas Association in which she led the association’s community outreach and local regulatory efforts, executing proactive engagement in key oil and gas jurisdictions across Colorado.  Anne’s in-depth understanding of strategic engagement and negotiation at the local level with both elected officials and community members has resulted in workable regulatory processes and positive project outcomes throughout the state.  Before arriving in Colorado, Anne was the Communications Coordinator for the Ohio Oil & Gas Association and Director of Coalitions and New Media for Energy In Depth – the Ohio Project, a national energy education and outreach program. She received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio University, during which she worked in various levels of government and multiple political campaigns.  In her spare time Anne enjoys travel, fitness, and outdoor recreation.

 

 Susan Fakharzadeh (Panelist)

Vice President of Corporate Communication &
Government Affairs
Great Western Petroleum

Susan Fakharzadeh—Vice President, Corporate Communications and Government Affairs. Ms. Fakharzadeh has served in this role since January 2020, having joined Great Western in October 2018. An influential leader in the community, Susan has spent the last ten years of her career dedicated to political engagement, policy work, outreach and education in the oil and gas industry across North America. By developing and leveraging key relationships with town councils, county commissions, and state and federal elected officials, Ms. Fakharzadeh has influenced critical programs and impacted decisions essential to Colorado’s dynamic oil and gas economy. Additionally, her work has been recognized for the development of best-in-class community investment and outreach programs, tailored to answer critical needs and services through meaningful partnerships with non-profits and other community organizations. Under her leadership in 2019, Great Western supported over 50 community organizations across Colorado.

In 2017, she was recognized by the Denver Business Journal as one of Denver’s Top 40 Women in Energy; in 2018, she was recognized by the Colorado Women’s Chamber as one of Colorado’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women. She is proud to support many civic and community organizations in leadership roles, and currently serves as co-chair of the Adams County Regional Economic Partnership executive committee and is a long-term member of the board of directors for Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County.

Prior to joining Great Western in 2018, Ms. Fakharzadeh worked at PDC Energy and Western Energy Alliance. She attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy.

 

Christopher Nielsen (Panelist)

Sustainability Manager
Ovintiv, Inc.

Christopher Nielsen is a Sustainability Manager at Ovintiv (formerly Encana) where he leads an international team focused on delivering sustainability strategy and managing ESG risks. During his 12 year Ovintiv career, Christopher has successfully worked on a wide range of issues from environmental and energy policy to business development. Christopher currently serves as a Board member for the Aurora Community Connection and has previously held volunteer leadership positions with Colorado Youth at Risk, World Denver, and the Colorado Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A South Dakota native, Christopher has a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the University of South Dakota and a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver.  When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two small children, skiing, traveling, and listening to live music.