Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending the 2026 SGA Empowering Success Women’s Leadership Symposium at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas. As Marketing Manager at nGenue, I went to connect, learn, and champion the incredible women shaping our industry. What I experienced over those two days was not just another conference. It was a powerful reminder of why lifting up women in energy matters now more than ever.

The natural gas sector is the backbone of reliable, affordable energy in America. It keeps homes warm, powers industries, and supports the grid during peak demand. Yet for too long, the contributions of women in this space have been undervalued or overlooked. At nGenue, we see every day how diverse perspectives drive real innovation, whether it is optimizing scheduling and nominations, streamlining billing and customer management, or using AI driven forecasting to deliver operational excellence. Women bring resilience, creativity, and fresh approaches to complex challenges like regulatory shifts, supply chain pressures, and the push for a lower carbon future. Supporting them is not about checking a box. It is about unlocking the full potential of our industry.

The symposium, hosted by the Southern Gas Association, brought together more than 200 women and allies from across the natural gas value chain for exactly that purpose. The theme, “You’re already leading. The question is: How do you lead with clarity when the stakes are high and the path isn’t obvious?” set the tone perfectly. No generic platitudes. Just practical, honest conversations tailored to the real-world realities of our field.

One highlight was the opening keynote from Lauren Gilliland, SVP of Energy Supply at Xcel Energy. In her session, “Leading in Full Color: The Brushstrokes of Trust, Presence, and Impact,” Lauren shared raw stories from over two decades in frontline operations and executive leadership. She talked about intentionally building leadership layer by layer, through trust that does not shrink back, presence that shows up authentically, and impact that opens doors for others. As someone who markets technology that helps teams operate more efficiently, I was struck by how her message resonates with what we do at nGenue. When leaders focus on trust and presence, they empower their teams to innovate rather than just react. Lauren reminded us that every woman in energy reaches pivotal moments where she claims her voice and influence, and that those choices shape not just careers, but entire organizations.

Amber Romine, an executive coach and leadership development consultant, led a hands-on workshop titled “Saying What Matters: Communicating with Candor and Care.” She gave us tools to navigate tough conversations, unspoken tensions, and high stakes decisions without eroding trust. For women leaders in natural gas, where we often balance technical expertise with relational dynamics, this was gold. Amber’s practical frameworks helped us practice communicating directly while staying approachable. In an industry built on pipelines, contracts, and cross functional teams, clear communication is not a soft skill. It is a strategic advantage that prevents costly missteps and builds stronger collaborations.

The fireside chat with Carolyn Heath Haag, President and Chair of the Board at Heath®, moderated by SGA’s Suzanne Ogle, was equally powerful and honest. Titled “Leading Forward: Honoring Legacy While Building What’s Next,” it explored evolving family businesses and industries without losing what makes them strong. Carolyn’s insights on self-awareness, credibility, authentic evolution and most importantly, building trust, hit home in natural gas, where legacy infrastructure meets rapid innovation. Only a small percentage of family businesses successfully transition generations, yet success comes from leaders willing to adapt while respecting the foundation.

What tied it all together for me was the emphasis on mentorship and paying it forward. The event was not just about individual growth; it was about building a network of peers who challenge and support one another. We heard stories of women mentoring younger professionals through promotions, pivots, and the unique pressures of leading in male dominated technical environments. I also had the opportunity to have dinner with the SGA Women’s Leadership As a marketing leader at nGenue, I have seen firsthand how mentorship accelerates careers and brings fresh talent into our field. The younger generation, especially women in STEM, business, and operations, brings digital native thinking, sustainability focus, and bold ideas that will keep natural gas competitive and essential.

That is why I left Grapevine energized. At nGenue, we are committed to operational excellence not just through software, but through people. Our platform frees teams from manual drudgery so leaders, women and men alike, can focus on strategy, innovation, and mentoring the next wave. We need more young women to see natural gas as a dynamic, future proof career: one where you can optimize energy markets, drive efficiency with cutting edge tech, and contribute to energy security. Whether it is through internships, shadowing programs, or simply hearing stories like those shared at the symposium, we have to invite them in and show them the impact they can make.

If you are a woman early in your energy career, or someone considering the field, know this: your perspective is needed. The path might feel unclear at times, but events like the SGA Women’s Leadership Symposium prove you are not walking it alone. And if you are already leading, make space at the table, mentor boldly, advocate visibly, and champion the contributions women are making every day in natural gas.

Two weeks later, I am still carrying the energy from Grapevine. Here is to the women leading in full color, communicating with candor, and building what is next. The future of natural gas, and our nation’s energy, is brighter because of you.

I would love to hear your thoughts. If you attended the symposium or work in energy, connect with me on LinkedIn. At nGenue, we are always looking to collaborate with forward thinking leaders who share our passion for excellence in natural gas operations. Let us keep the conversation going and keep empowering the next generation.

#WomenInEnergy #NaturalGas #Leadership #SGASymposium #nGenue

Esti Arriaga

Marketing Manager – Brand & Events

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Esti Arriaga helps retail natural gas companies grow their book and reduce cost to serve, bringing over 10 years of experience across sales, account management, and program leadership at nGenue.