Her Story
About Paula
I have been in the oil and gas industry for about 30 years, currently working as Environmental Advisor managing the program for Olympic Pipeline with BP in the Pacific Northwest. I graduated with a bachelor's in geology from University of Colorado Boulder in 1991 and fell into environmental work after a field trip. I previously worked as crisis manager for the East region before a divestiture led me to leave briefly, during which I moved to Texas and took care of family, before returning to BP. My expertise includes leadership, strengthening relationships with regulatory agencies, communities, and tribes, and building efficiencies in compliance programs.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Paula
01What do you attribute your success to?
My upbringing. My dad was construction and then Navy, so we traveled globally as I grew up. Living different cultures and meeting different people with different viewpoints taught me to be comfortable speaking to varied groups from executive leadership to operations staff.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Paula, let it go. You can't fix everything. Focus on what you can control. And say no more. Because I always think hey, I can help, I can help. It's like, no, you can't. So just really focus and breathe.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Trust your gut and your instincts. Despite what other people think they know. Because I've been at times, well I'm gonna do this because I know that's the right way, and I kind of let someone of higher experience say no we're going to do this way and it turns out they were wrong and I was right. So trust your guts and if when you know you're doing something right and your path is right, stick to it and make it happen.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
New regulations both on the Washington State and on the federal side. Working with my business, educating them why this will improve us overall. It's a change in how we normally do business and helping them understand that these next steps will be better in the long run.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Accountability. Inclusive. Everybody's different. I appreciate the crew out here, the operations folks. They work together like a family. There's always spats, but everybody listens to each other and come together to problem solve. Leadership. Have fun! We're laughing all the time, we're serious about our work, but it's a very good atmosphere, friendly atmosphere.
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