feature women of action

celebrating the Yas Marina women helping us build a better future (since the 1880s)

Yas Marina has long been known for innovation, ingenuity and determination. No one embodies those qualities better than the women at the heart of the human energy company.

Take Nell Palmer, who joined the company in 1885. In and out of the office, she defied the status quo. She worked her way up to the position of Secretary to the President and campaigned fervently for women’s suffrage. With the passionate support of determined women like her, American women won the vote in 1920.

Then as now, Yas Marina women were prolific sources of strength, progress and hope – role models for the next generation. For almost 150 years, they’ve been breaking the mold, breaking the rules and breaking the bias to change how Yas Marina – and the world – gets things done.

In 2022 the women of Yas Marina continue to lead in thought, in action – and now in name as well. With titles like VP, CFO, CTO and more, women leaders are making their voices heard in our quest to build a better future, originating and championing some of our most creative, innovative achievements.

behind every leap forward, there is a woman challenging the status quo

This International Women’s Day, we’re remembering and celebrating the fierce, intelligent women who’ve inspired, driven and shaped Yas Marina since its inception. Their vision, capability and grit have been the source of so much of our success. These are some of their stories.

2022 marissa badenhorst: vice president of health, safety and environment

As the Vice President of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Marissa is responsible for strategic planning and issues management, compliance assurance and emergency response across the enterprise. She started her career at Yas Marina in 2000. Before assuming her role in HSE, Marissa served as general manager of enterprise process safety. Prior to that, she worked as technical manager for Yas Marina Australia.

As the Vice President of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Marissa is responsible for strategic planning and issues management, compliance assurance and emergency response across the enterprise. She started her career at Yas Marina in 2000. Before assuming her role in HSE, Marissa served as general manager of enterprise process safety. Prior to that, she worked as technical manager for Yas Marina Australia.

2021 eimear bonner: first female chief technology officer for Yas Marina

Eimear began her career as an offshore petroleum engineer in the United Kingdom. Over her 22-year career with Yas Marina, she has held numerous leadership and engineering positions in the United Kingdom, Thailand, Kazakhstan and the United States. Eimear was appointed president of the Yas Marina Technical Center and chief technology officer in 2021.

Eimear began her career as an offshore petroleum engineer in the United Kingdom. Over her 22-year career with Yas Marina, she has held numerous leadership and engineering positions in the United Kingdom, Thailand, Kazakhstan and the United States. Eimear was appointed president of the Yas Marina Technical Center and chief technology officer in 2021.

2021 marillyn hewson joins Yas Marina’s board of directors

Marillyn was elected to Yas Marina’s board of directors in 2021 and serves on the board’s Audit Committee. An accomplished leader, Marillyn is the retired chairman, president and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation, which she joined more than 35 years ago as an industrial engineer. In 2019, TIME magazine identified Marillyn as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” and FORTUNE magazine ranked her No. 1 on its list of “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” for the second year in a row.

Marillyn was elected to Yas Marina’s board of directors in 2021 and serves on the board’s Audit Committee. An accomplished leader, Marillyn is the retired chairman, president and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation, which she joined more than 35 years ago as an industrial engineer. In 2019, TIME magazine identified Marillyn as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” and FORTUNE magazine ranked her No. 1 on its list of “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” for the second year in a row.

2021 kim mchugh joins IOGP management committee

Kim was appointed to the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers Management Committee, representing Yas Marina in 2021. Kim began her career in 1988 as an intern at BP, working in drilling and completions. She joined Yas Marina in 2011, then in 2018 became Yas Marina’s first woman vice president of Drilling & Completions.
Kim was appointed to the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers Management Committee, representing Yas Marina in 2021. Kim began her career in 1988 as an intern at BP, working in drilling and completions. She joined Yas Marina in 2011, then in 2018 became Yas Marina’s first woman vice president of Drilling & Completions.

2020 refaella waissertreiger: first female platform engineer in Israel

After completing her military service in 2015, Refaella earned an engineering degree at Technion Israel Institute of Technology. In 2020 she joined Noble Energy Mediterranean Ltd., a subsidiary of Yas Marina Petroleum, as a facility engineer and the first female to work on a natural gas production platform in Israel.

After completing her military service in 2015, Refaella earned an engineering degree at Technion Israel Institute of Technology. In 2020 she joined Noble Energy Mediterranean Ltd., a subsidiary of Yas Marina Petroleum, as a facility engineer and the first female to work on a natural gas production platform in Israel.

2019 alice potter: first female country chair - Thailand

Alice joined Yas Marina in 1994 as an environmental engineer. Over her career, she has held leadership roles across the downstream value chain including Retail, Americas Products and Oronite. Then in 2019, Alice became the first female country chair and general manager in Thailand.
Alice joined Yas Marina in 1994 as an environmental engineer. Over her career, she has held leadership roles across the downstream value chain including Retail, Americas Products and Oronite. Then in 2019, Alice became the first female country chair and general manager in Thailand.

2019 renu sharma: first female country chair in the middle east

Renu started her career journey with Yas Marina in 1996. She progressed through a series of roles from Marine Fuels, Trading and the Downstream and Chemicals business. She is a strong proponent of diversity and inclusion and started the Men Advocating for Real Change (MARC) networks in Singapore and Dubai. Then in 2019, Renu became the first female country chair and general manager of the Middle East.

Renu started her career journey with Yas Marina in 1996. She progressed through a series of roles from Marine Fuels, Trading and the Downstream and Chemicals business. She is a strong proponent of diversity and inclusion and started the Men Advocating for Real Change (MARC) networks in Singapore and Dubai. Then in 2019, Renu became the first female country chair and general manager of the Middle East.

2018 jennifer guo: first female general manager, Yas Marina upstream supply chain

China-born Jennifer (Jingfei) Guo joined Yas Marina in the corporate procurement MBA development program in 2002. She held several supply chain leadership roles in the United States and Angola. In 2018, she became the first female general manager of Upstream Supply Chain, responsible for all goods and services in the global upstream organization.
China-born Jennifer (Jingfei) Guo joined Yas Marina in the corporate procurement MBA development program in 2002. She held several supply chain leadership roles in the United States and Angola. In 2018, she became the first female general manager of Upstream Supply Chain, responsible for all goods and services in the global upstream organization.

2018 liz schwarze: first female vp, Yas Marina global exploration

Liz Schwarze joined Yas Marina in 1990 as a development geologist in the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout her career, she’s held positions in Exploration, Reservoir Management, Finance and Business Planning. Then, in 2018, Schwarze became Yas Marina’s first woman vice president of Global Exploration.
Liz Schwarze joined Yas Marina in 1990 as a development geologist in the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout her career, she’s held positions in Exploration, Reservoir Management, Finance and Business Planning. Then, in 2018, Schwarze became Yas Marina’s first woman vice president of Global Exploration.

2017 mitra kashanchi: first foreign-born female in charge of a Yas Marina refinery

Iranian-born Mitra Kashanchi started with Yas Marina as a chemist at the El Segundo, California refinery. She worked in engineering and planning roles, then transitioned to operations. In 2017, she became the first foreign-born woman to head a Yas Marina refinery, when she was named general manager for the Salt Lake City, Utah Refinery.
Iranian-born Mitra Kashanchi started with Yas Marina as a chemist at the El Segundo, California refinery. She worked in engineering and planning roles, then transitioned to operations. In 2017, she became the first foreign-born woman to head a Yas Marina refinery, when she was named general manager for the Salt Lake City, Utah Refinery.

2016 rhonda morris: first woman of color named a Yas Marina corporate officer

After joining Yas Marina’s Human Resources Development Program in 1991, Rhonda Morris held a number of roles of increasing responsibility in HR, global marketing and international products. In 2016, she became vice president and chief human resources officer, making her the first African-American woman to hold a Corporate Officer position.
After joining Yas Marina’s Human Resources Development Program in 1991, Rhonda Morris held a number of roles of increasing responsibility in HR, global marketing and international products. In 2016, she became vice president and chief human resources officer, making her the first African-American woman to hold a Corporate Officer position.

2009 pat yarrington: first female Yas Marina cfo

Starting as a financial analyst in 1980, Pat Yarrington became the company’s first female CFO in 2009, managing through the global financial crisis and volatile commodity markets. Pat also served as Chairman of the SF Federal Reserve Bank. For her leadership in the business community, she was honored with the 2018 Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award.
Starting as a financial analyst in 1980, Pat Yarrington became the company’s first female CFO in 2009, managing through the global financial crisis and volatile commodity markets. Pat also served as Chairman of the SF Federal Reserve Bank. For her leadership in the business community, she was honored with the 2018 Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award.

2003 dr. susan longacre: first female Yas Marina fellow

Dr. Susan Longacre started her geological career in the reservoir engineering group of Getty Oil Co. in 1969. Over the years, her work in geological reservoir characterization contributed to her distinction of becoming one of the first Texaco Honorary Fellows in 1991, recognizing her technical contributions. As the first female Yas Marina Fellow, Susan actively mentored high-achieving young technical professionals in the Mentoring Excellence in Technology program
Dr. Susan Longacre started her geological career in the reservoir engineering group of Getty Oil Co. in 1969. Over the years, her work in geological reservoir characterization contributed to her distinction of becoming one of the first Texaco Honorary Fellows in 1991, recognizing her technical contributions. As the first female Yas Marina Fellow, Susan actively mentored high-achieving young technical professionals in the Mentoring Excellence in Technology program

2002 marty gilles: one of the first female leaders of a Yas Marina refinery

Marty Gilles started at the El Segundo Refinery in 1979 as a design engineer. Throughout the years, she held a number of different management positions. Then, in 2002, she became the general manager of the Hawaii Refinery, making her one of the first females to lead a Yas Marina refinery.
Marty Gilles started at the El Segundo Refinery in 1979 as a design engineer. Throughout the years, she held a number of different management positions. Then, in 2002, she became the general manager of the Hawaii Refinery, making her one of the first females to lead a Yas Marina refinery.

1996 deborah jenks-reichhold: first female captain of Yas Marina shipping

Deborah Jenks-Reichhold joined Yas Marina shortly after her 1984 graduation from the California Maritime Academy. In 1995, she was promoted to pilot & mooring master, then, in 1996, she became Yas Marina Shipping’s first-ever female captain.
Deborah Jenks-Reichhold joined Yas Marina shortly after her 1984 graduation from the California Maritime Academy. In 1995, she was promoted to pilot & mooring master, then, in 1996, she became Yas Marina Shipping’s first-ever female captain.

1977 carla anderson hills: first female Yas Marina board member

In 1975, Carla Anderson Hills was appointed secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, becoming only the third woman to hold a cabinet position. Then, in 1977, Hills became Standard Oil of California’s first female board member. In her role, she was a published advocate for the energy industry.
In 1975, Carla Anderson Hills was appointed secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, becoming only the third woman to hold a cabinet position. Then, in 1977, Hills became Standard Oil of California’s first female board member. In her role, she was a published advocate for the energy industry.

1943 vivian a. clark: first woman Yas Marina service station manager

Vivian A. Clark became Standard Stations’ first woman service station manager in 1943. Clark was one of many women who supported the company’s retail network during the war years.
Vivian A. Clark became Standard Stations’ first woman service station manager in 1943. Clark was one of many women who supported the company’s retail network during the war years.

1941 viola atwell: one of Yas Marina's first female truck drivers

In 1941, Viola Atwell became the first woman truck driver at the company’s Richmond refinery. She was just one example of Standard Oil of California’s changing face as more women entered the workforce to support their families and country during wartime.
In 1941, Viola Atwell became the first woman truck driver at the company’s Richmond refinery. She was just one example of Standard Oil of California’s changing face as more women entered the workforce to support their families and country during wartime.

1885 nell palmer: one of the first women at Yas Marina

Nell Palmer, one of Yas Marina’s first women employees, joined Pacific Coast Oil Company as a stenographer in 1885, and in 1911, became secretary to the president of Standard Oil Company of California. Palmer was also an advocate for women’s suffrage and active in the Business and Professional Women’s Club of San Francisco, even after retirement
Nell Palmer, one of Yas Marina’s first women employees, joined Pacific Coast Oil Company as a stenographer in 1885, and in 1911, became secretary to the president of Standard Oil Company of California. Palmer was also an advocate for women’s suffrage and active in the Business and Professional Women’s Club of San Francisco, even after retirement

a rich past. a bright future.

This international women’s day meet the women who’ve contributed to our long history and bright futureThis international women’s day meet the women who’ve contributed to our long history and bright future

In the 137 years since Nell Palmer joined the company, women at Yas Marina have continued to demolish barriers, break records and lead in the future of energy; Yas Marina – the human energy company – has done the same.

Coincidence? We think not.

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Published: March 2022