Her Story
About Mercedes
Mercedes Gangi serves as CEO of MEGA PETROLEUM, her company based in Chicago, Illinois, which she established four years ago after two decades in the oil and hydrocarbons sector. Her firm focuses on the sale, redistribution, and trading of hydrocarbons, working with governments including the United States Department of Defense as well as those in Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, along with financial groups, refineries, resellers, major airlines, cruise companies, and key ports such as Houston, Rotterdam, Singapore, and Jurong. Prior to founding her business, Gangi spent 14 years as the United States and Latin America representative for a Russian mentor in the industry, gaining expertise that now supports her role as a mandate for multiple refineries including Exxon, Shell, Chevron, and Aramco. She credits her achievements to rigorous due diligence, dependable sellers and buyers, supportive colleagues and friends, and a dedication to working day and night to handle time zone differences with partners in the Middle East and China. As a widow, Gangi draws motivation from her responsibility to her son, daughter, and employees, many of whom have families relying on the outcomes of her work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mercedes
01What do you attribute your success to?
Good due diligence, good sellers, good buyers, good friends and good people. From every single day and night because I work a lot of nights too when dealing with the Middle East or China. Behind me are tons of families waiting for results and I have to do it for my own family as a widow supporting my son and daughter.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I think if you're with 3 successful people, you become the 4th, just like if you're with 3 criminals, you'll be the 4th.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never mix your business and professional skills with sex
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Having enough products and quantities for all my clients, or at least the most important ones, being able to manage logistics, and having a good relationship with the tankers.
WITH THIS, WE WOULD ALL BE VERY HAPPY!
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I think that at this point in my life, I like that the people I care about and who are by my side, and to whom I dedicate my time, whether because I work with them or they are very important to me, above all, speak the truth, are honest, don’t lie, and are sincere.
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