Heather Durkin

I attribute my success to a combination of the values I was raised with and the drive I developed over time. My mother taught me strength, resilience, and how to stand firm in who I am. My father modeled an incredible work ethic—showing up every day, giving his best, and never cutting corners. Those qualities shaped who I am in every chapter of my career. I’ve always had a deep internal drive to excel, to push past limitations, and to continually grow. That mix of upbringing, determination, and self‑motivation is what has guided my success.

The best career advice I ever received was really a piece of life advice. Early in my oil and gas career, my boss shared a story told to him by a friend who had just returned from a nightmare business trip—days of delays, cancellations, exhaustion, everything going wrong. When he finally walked into his home, he found his wife relaxing in bed with a book. After greeting him, she casually asked if he could bring her a drink from the kitchen.

His first reaction was pure frustration: ‘How could she ask me for anything? I’ve been through hell, I just walked in the door!’ But before he said anything, he stopped and asked himself a simple question: ‘At the end of the day… am I going to get her the drink anyway?’ The answer was yes. He realized that he had two choices: he could get upset, snap, complain, and then still go get the drink—or he could simply say ‘sure’ with love and keep the peace. Either way, the action was the same, but the energy behind it changed everything.

That story stuck with me. It taught me to choose my responses with intention, not emotion. In work and in life, you will always have tasks, requests, and responsibilities—sometimes when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or frustrated. But you still have the power to decide how you show up. Doing the right thing with a good attitude preserves relationships, builds trust, and keeps your integrity intact. That mindset has helped me navigate challenges, lead with empathy, and stay grounded even under pressure.

My advice to young women entering the energy and supply chain industry is to stay curious and never underestimate your ability to learn. You don’t need to know everything on day one—what matters is your willingness to ask questions, explore new technologies, and step into opportunities that stretch you. Build a reputation for being dependable, adaptable, and solution‑oriented. And most importantly, take up space. Your perspective, your voice, and your talent have value—don’t shrink yourself to fit in.

The biggest challenge—and opportunity—in our field right now is digital transformation. Many companies are still transitioning from legacy processes to automated, data‑driven systems. That transition can be overwhelming if the data isn’t clean or the processes aren’t standardized. But it also creates enormous opportunity for innovation, efficiency, and cost savings. AI, automation, and system integration are reshaping how the energy industry operates, and professionals who can bridge the gap between technology, data, and operations will drive the future.

Integrity, accountability, and compassion are the values that guide me both professionally and personally. I believe in doing the right thing even when no one is watching, owning my work, and treating people with respect. In my career, that means being transparent, delivering on my commitments, and creating processes people can rely on. In my personal life, it means showing up for my family, supporting my community, and giving back however I can—whether that’s through mentoring or fostering animals. Those values keep me grounded and aligned in everything I do.