Her Story
About Kendra
Kendra McCreary serves as Director of Business Development at Boyett Petroleum, bringing more than two decades of experience in the oil and gas industry. In her current role, she oversees business development and operations across five to six states, negotiates and executes contracts, supports internal teams, and travels extensively to meet with customers, strengthen industry relationships, and attend conferences. Her career is distinguished by a strong entrepreneurial spirit, extensive industry knowledge, and a proven ability to identify opportunities and build lasting partnerships.
McCreary entered the energy industry around 1999 or 2000 after graduating from high school in 1993 and operating an auto detailing business. She transitioned into biodiesel production and sales, where she became involved in pioneering fuel deliveries to National Park Service locations, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks. She later expanded her expertise through environmental compliance work with Renstar before joining Suster Petroleum in 2014 to help launch its biodiesel program. Her success in the initiative led to progressive leadership roles, including Vice President of Sales and Supply, ultimately preparing her for her current position with Boyett Petroleum. In addition to her corporate career, she operates a successful pressure washing business serving oil and gas clients.
McCreary attributes her success to persistence, hard work, hustle, optimism, and an unwavering belief in herself. She believes that knowledge is power and encourages professionals to continually learn, gain experience, and remain open to opportunities. Her core values of trust and loyalty guide the way she approaches both business and personal relationships. As an advocate for women pursuing careers in the energy industry, she encourages those entering the field to start at the entry level, learn the business from the ground up, and work their way toward leadership. She believes the industry offers significant opportunities for women and is encouraged by its growing recognition of the value women bring to the field.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kendra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence, determination, and an unwavering belief in myself. From a young age, I have always refused to give up, even when things did not go as planned. I have learned to be resilient, adaptable, and resourceful, finding ways to rebuild and turn challenges into opportunities. I bring a strong work ethic, optimism, and a “scrapper” mentality to everything I do, while always encouraging and uplifting those around me. Ultimately, my confidence in my ability to succeed and my commitment to keep moving forward have been the driving forces behind my accomplishments.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that knowledge is power. I believe that continuously learning, staying informed, and developing my expertise gives me the confidence and ability to make better decisions, adapt to change, and create new opportunities throughout my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to be willing to start at the entry level, learn the business from the ground up, and work your way up through dedication and experience. There are tremendous opportunities for women in this field, particularly for those who are willing to learn, take initiative, and demonstrate their value. Over the past decade, I have seen a significant shift toward recognizing and appreciating the unique perspectives, skills, and contributions women bring to the industry, creating more opportunities for women to grow, lead, and succeed.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest opportunities in my field is the ability to grow and advance from within. Organizations increasingly recognize talent, experience, and proven performance, creating pathways for individuals to build successful careers over time. At the same time, one of the biggest challenges can be the lack of a formal degree. In my own experience, not having a degree meant that reaching leadership-level positions took longer and required an even greater level of determination, persistence, and self-motivation. While success is certainly achievable without a traditional educational path, individuals often need to work harder to demonstrate their capabilities and earn advancement opportunities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are trust and loyalty. I believe trust is at the foundation of everything we do each day, whether we are building professional relationships, working with colleagues, or maintaining personal connections. I strive to be someone others can rely on, and I value loyalty as an essential part of building strong, lasting relationships.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.