Energy Conference Network’ s Advisory Council comprises 20 handpicked experts, each chosen for their unique perspective and transformational influence. Members of the council offer advice, feedback and ideas to ECN management, and work collaboratively to ensure our events contribute towards the decarbonization and digital transformation of the energy industry.
Amy is the CEO/Co-Founder of Eunike Ventures, TiE Houston board member, principal of TiE ATX LLC (Angels of Texas), and Senior Advisor for Fisher CPA Firm in The Woodlands, TX.
Abhilash (Abhi) Kantamneni is a researcher, advocate, and public speaker whose work focuses on using energy efficiency as a tool to address poverty, create good jobs, and support equitable climate action.
Al Lindseth has nearly 30 years of experience in the energy industry, serving as Chief Risk Officer, CIO and CISO at Plains All American, a Fortune 100 midstream company, for 22 years.
Betsy Agar is the Director of Building Policy at Efficiency Canada. She has worked in building energy efficiency for over 25 years. Drawing on her technical background as a building science engineer,
David is an Innovation Engineering Black Belt certified professional and published senior executive for innovation management, corporate intelligence, and forging emerging industries and solutions.
Darren Shelton is a 29-year veteran of the maritime industry having managed multiple shipping agencies and currently serves as director of sales for Moran Shipping where he…….
Dwayne has been a reservoir engineer, entrepreneur, trainer, and executive in the oil industry for 29 years. He has led or participated in hundreds of engineering studies over dozens of basins
Dr. Satyam Priyadarshy, Founder of Reignite Future, USA, stands at the forefront of technological and business transformation. His global reputation is founded on a rare fusion of profound scientific understanding, cutting-edge technological expertise, and astute business acumen.
Geoffrey Cann is a Brand Ambassador for digital companies in the energy industry. He is an international author, former consultant, and professionally trained speaker.
Hani Elshahawi is a thought Leader, innovator, and Game Changer with over three decades of experience in the service, consulting, and operating sectors of the energy industry with roles spanning operations…
Jason Stanley leads Position Green’s U.S. advisory business, guiding companies across various sectors in their sustainability efforts and speaking regularly on shipping, energy, and technology.
Jim Claunch is a digital visionary with over 35 years of experience in the energy sector. Having previously held roles including CFO, CIO, SVP, VP and other executive positions across multiple companies and industries, his most recent focus has been digital transformation of the upstream sector.
Jim Lawnin is recognized for guiding the world’s largest energy companies through transformational change, leveraging exponential technologies—especially AI—to improve performance…..
“Konrad Konarski is a senior executive specializing in AI, data, and emerging technologies, with over 20 years of leadership experience across manufacturing, distribution, energy, and the public sector.
As CEO and founding partner of Novus Consulting, Kate provides vision and leadership that shape the firm’s long-term strategy and growth. She serves as a trusted advisor to executive teams…
Maru Suarez Williams serves as the Enterprise Performance Delivery Lead at Chevron, where she drives strategic initiatives to accelerate commercial outcomes across the enterprise.
Maya Pazouki is a seasoned data and AI leader with a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions and fostering a positive team environment. With extensive experience in establishing data and AI strategy, governance…
Sonia Clayton is a recognized leader and philanthropist in the American energy sector, widely respected for her ability to drive transformational corporate change, technical innovation, and support workforce resilience.
Sean Barnes is the President of Wolf Executives and the host of The Way of the Wolf podcast. With over 20 years of leadership experience across IT, Operations, HR, ESG, and HSE…
Uday Turaga is Founder & CEO of ADI Analytics, a consulting and research firm based in Houston, Texas, and specializing in oil and gas, energy, chemicals, and industrials.
Amy is the CEO/Co-Founder of Eunike Ventures, TiE Houston board member, principal of TiE ATX LLC (Angels of Texas), and Senior Advisor for Fisher CPA Firm in The Woodlands, TX.
Amy was named by the Houston Chronicle in 2019, “Women Who Take the Lead in Building Houston’s Tech Ecosystem” (related to the launch of Eunike Ventures). Eunike was listed in 2022 as the ‘Top 6 Accelerators/Incubators Investing in Houston’ and the ‘Top 11 Best and Most Active Accelerator in Houston’.
Eunike Ventures, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas USA is a first of its kind global energy venture builder /hybrid energy technology accelerator that works with innovative, technology companies through commercialization, across the entire Energy value chain. Eunike serves a unique gap in the global innovation system by bringing together energy companies, expert talent, and best of breed startups. This new open innovation model of ‘Realizing the Entrepreneurial Spirit’ focuses on entrepreneurs, energy companies, paid pilots, and smart capital, which has included backing from large industry players such as Equinor, Hess, TechnipFMC, and Anadarko.
Amy has worked globally in the energy industry with/for organizations such as Petronas, Royal Dutch Shell (Gas & Power; Shell Upstream International, Shell E&P Technology & Research, Shell Technology Ventures, Shell Services International), Ernst & Young LLP and Arthur Andersen.
Abhilash (Abhi) Kantamneni is a researcher, advocate, and public speaker whose work focuses on using energy efficiency as a tool to address poverty, create good jobs, and support equitable climate action. His career has spanned data analysis, community organizing, and policy development, always with an emphasis on connecting research with the people and organizations doing the work on the ground.
Abhi has been recognized as a Canada Storyteller by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and named an Energy Leader by Midwest Energy News. He has worked alongside governments, utilities, contractors, housing providers, Indigenous organizations, and advocacy groups to design and implement solutions that put people at the center of Canada’s clean energy transition.
With academic training in electrical engineering, physics, computer science and energy policy, Abhi brings a data-driven yet human-focused approach to his work. He is also a sought-after speaker and facilitator, frequently invited to conferences, workshops, and public forums to share insights on energy poverty, home retrofits, and contractor-led climate policy.
Al Lindseth has nearly 30 years of experience in the energy industry, serving as Chief Risk Officer, CIO and CISO at Plains All American, a Fortune 100 midstream company, for 22 years. He was originally brought in to strengthen risk management following Plains’ high-profile $170M rogue trading loss in 2000. His leadership helped drive the company’s rapid growth through sound asset-based risk management strategies, particularly during the energy trading scandals. As CIO and CISO, Al not only ran IT, but also led Plains’ cybersecurity program development, ensuring the company remained breach-free during his tenure. He has been deeply involved in public-private cyber defense initiatives, including leading the cyber team for a 2019 National Petroleum Council Study for the DOE and serving on the Board of the Oil and Gas ISAC. In 2022, Al founded CI5O Advisory Services, where he advises on risk management, technology, transformation, and cybersecurity not only energy, but across many different industries. A recognized thought leader, he actively speaks on these topics, helping Boards and CIOs/CISOs collaborate more effectively. He remains committed to the Houston community, earning numerous professional awards for his contributions.
Betsy Agar is the Director of Building Policy at Efficiency Canada. She has worked in building energy efficiency for over 25 years. Drawing on her technical background as a building science engineer, she has spent the last decade+ advocating for the decarbonization and climate adaptation of buildings. Her work involves research, engagement, and knowledge mobilization to drive systemic changes through policy and regulatory reform and market transformation. She leads Efficiency Canada’s Retrofit Mission and is currently a member of the City of Toronto Building Emissions Advisory Committee, the City of Vancouver’s Technical Advisory Committee for Large Existing Buildings, the ReCover Initiative strategic planning committee, the Building Decarbonization Alliance Policy Working Group and Retrofit Canada Conference Advisory. She holds a Master of Applied Science degree from McMaster University and is licensed as a Professional Engineer in Ontario.
David is an Innovation Engineering Black Belt certified professional and published senior executive for innovation management, corporate intelligence, and forging emerging industries and solutions. At the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, he is a Professor of Practice who lectures and conducts research on the skills of innovation and leadership focused on inventions, new markets, and opportunity development. He serves on the Technology Division faculty as subject matter expert for innovation skills, strategic planning, and digital asset management. He regularly publishes articles on the subjects of practical implementation of novel ideas and management of potential. David has extensive international experience in leading a diverse portfolio of responsibilities to create and build emerging markets for HP, and PepsiCo, Inc. where he launched Frito-Lay/Russia. He served Y&R (the world’s largest advertising agency) as Deputy Chief Executive Officer helping countries pioneer new markets in emerging economies. His business-to-business endeavors focus on technology and energy across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. Prior to joining UH he was VP corporate intelligence for Idoneous Global.
Darren Shelton is a 29-year veteran of the maritime industry having managed multiple shipping agencies and currently serves as director of sales for Moran Shipping where he drives business development with premier global maritime companies. In 2018 he envisioned a blockchain startup for the energy sector which led to co-founding FuelTrust, an AI driven software company that follows commodities through their lifecycles for supply chain solutions.
Darren has an EMBA from the University of East London, adding to his studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas Bible College, Hope International University, and an honorary degree from Alvin College where he also presently serves on the Board of Regents. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee, which represents 800+ shipping stakeholders in the Houston region, in addition to serving on boards for:
– Houston International Seafarers’ Center
– Houston Maritime Museum
– Houston Maritime Arbitrator’s Association
– Houston Pilots’ Board’s Application Review Committee
– Along with active roles in working groups of:
– Greater Houston Port Bureau,
– Association of Ships Brokers & Agents and
– Chamber of Shipping Americas
He and his family reside in the Houston suburb of Alvin TX.
Dwayne has been a reservoir engineer, entrepreneur, trainer, and executive in the oil industry for 29 years. He has led or participated in hundreds of engineering studies over dozens of basins in the United States and abroad, and has participated in the sale or acquisition of projects valued from tens of thousands to billions of dollars. He has been a partner at a third-party engineering firm, reservoir engineering manager for a large private oil company, expert witness in litigation cases, and founder/manager of two small oil companies. Originally trained as a petroleum engineer, Mr. Purvis recently earned a masters degree in sustainable energy from Johns Hopkins University, and his current consulting work focuses on the decarbonization and transformation of the oil industry.
Dr. Satyam Priyadarshy, Founder of Reignite Future, USA, stands at the forefront of technological and business transformation. His global reputation is founded on a rare fusion of profound scientific understanding, cutting-edge technological expertise, and astute business acumen. A true pioneer, Dr. Priyadarshy has significantly shaped the landscapes of Quantum Mechanics, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Digital Transformation. Notably, he broke ground as the first Chief Data Scientist within the Oil and Gas/Energy Industry, bringing data-driven strategies to a traditionally asset-heavy sector. His prior experience includes serving as a Technology Fellow and Chief Data Scientist at Halliburton, as well as senior leadership positions at Acxiom Corporation, Network Solutions, and AOL. This diverse background provides him with a unique perspective on innovation and growth across industries. Beyond his corporate leadership, Dr. Priyadarshy is deeply engaged in academia. He holds the prestigious CoE-OGE Visiting Chair Professorship at IIT Bombay. He serves as an adjunct or visiting professor at numerous universities across the United States, India, and other countries. His commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders extends to his roles as an advisor, investor, and board member for several emerging technology companies globally. Recognized as one of the top influential leaders in AI and digital transformation by Forbes India and AI 100 Awards, Dr. Priyadarshy is a sought-after speaker, having delivered over 150 keynote talks worldwide. Dr. Priyadarshy is Member of Board of Trustees, for the AI Applied Consortium, USA. His thought leadership is further evidenced by his numerous publications, patents, and accolades, including being named the 2021-2022 SPE Distinguished Lecturer. His insights consistently appear in prominent industry publications, solidifying his position as a key voice shaping the future of technology and business.
Geoffrey Cann is a Brand Ambassador for digital companies in the energy industry. He is an international author, former consultant, and professionally trained speaker. Following an early career with Imperial Oil, he joined Deloitte, where he carried out several hundred consulting assignments around the world, including Canada, the US, Australia, the Caribbean, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and China. During that time he led a number of businesses, services and industry programs.
Today, he specialises in digital innovation in the energy industry, and produces a weekly article, newsletter, and podcast on digital issues in energy. As a Brand Ambassador he provides marketing support for companies that sell digital innovations to the industry. He published his first book, ‘Bits, Bytes and Barrels: The Digital Transformation of Oil and Gas’, in January 2019. He is also a contributing author for ‘Machine Learning and Data Science in the Oil and Gas Industry: Best Practices, Tools and Case Studies’, released in March 2021. His third book, ‘Carbon, Capital, and the Cloud: A Playbook for Digital Oil and Gas’, was published in March of 2022.
Geoffrey is an advisor to several digital technology companies in such areas as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, robotics and the internet of things, and an advisor to the Dean of Energy at the MacPhail School of Energy in Calgary. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (with distinction) from McGill University, and an MBA from the Ivey School of Business.
Hani Elshahawi is a thought Leader, innovator, and Game Changer with over three decades of experience in the service, consulting, and operating sectors of the energy industry with roles spanning operations, business, technology, and management. He is currently founder and managing director of NoviDigiTech which partners with innovators, academics, startups, entrepreneurs, investors, and customers to create impact and drive growth through technology, collaboration, and digitalization. He is an advisor to several startups and an investor in others. Hani retired in 2020 from Shell after 18 years where his last position was Deepwater Digitalization Lead and Shell’s principal formation testing and sampling expert. Previously he was GameChanger lead, Deepwater technology advisor and capabilities manager, and manager of FEAST-Shell’s Fluid Evaluation and Sampling Technologies center of excellence. Prior to Shell, Hani spent 15 years with SLB in over 10 countries in Africa, Asia, and North America during which he has held various positions in management, consulting, operations, marketing, and technology development. Hani holds several patents, authored over 150 technical publications, and has received multiple technical society awards.
Jason Stanley leads Position Green’s U.S. advisory business, guiding companies across various sectors in their sustainability efforts and speaking regularly on shipping, energy, and technology. He serves on the Board of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI), Houston Chapter. Previously, Jason was Vice President of ESG and Investor Relations for a leading offshore energy support vessel owner and spent over 20 years advancing subsea robotics technology for use in the energy, telecommunications, and research sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering from Texas A&M University and lives in Houston, Texas, with his partner and four children. An avid SCUBA diver and obstacle course racer, Jason enjoys an active lifestyle.
Jim Claunch is a digital visionary with over 35 years of experience in the energy sector. Having previously held roles including CFO, CIO, SVP, VP and other executive positions across multiple companies and industries, his most recent focus has been digital transformation of the upstream sector. In this space, he is considered a thought leader and often engages industry leaders in efforts to develop a coordinated, industry-wide approach. He is known as a transformational leader within organizational change and development, leadership, people development and workforce planning.
Jim Lawnin is recognized for guiding the world’s largest energy companies through transformational change, leveraging exponential technologies—especially AI—to improve performance, accelerate growth, and create new business models that capture emerging markets. He has advised multinational and national oil companies on digital transformation and sustainability strategies, and was invited by Harvard Business School to present on the groundbreaking work his teams led in reshaping the energy value chain. Jim has led several venture capital groups and is currently building a venture studio dedicated to AI adoption and disruption in the energy sector. He sits on multiple boards of companies applying AI in energy and advises Fortune 500 enterprises on scaling emerging technologies for competitive advantage. As a judge for Rice and Stanford business plan competitions, and as a mentor to Rice University students and professors, Jim bridges the gap between startups and global enterprises—helping innovative technologies reach industry scale. He holds undergraduate degrees in Petroleum Engineering and Accounting, an MBA, and a MSc in Blockchain and Cryptocurrency. His professional designations include PE, CFA, CPA, and Black Belt Six Sigma.
Konrad Konarski is a senior executive specializing in AI, data, and emerging technologies, with over 20 years of leadership experience across manufacturing, distribution, energy, and the public sector. He currently chairs an international consortium focused on advancing responsible AI adoption across industries. Throughout his career, Konrad has led enterprise-scale AI and analytics initiatives, contributed to high-impact technology programs, and received recognition for innovation and sustainability leadership. As a key contributor to the 2025 U.S. National AI Policy, he collaborates with Fortune 500 executives, government bodies, and academic institutions to drive generative AI innovation, inform policy, and scale real-world AI applications through applied pilots and cross-sector partnership.
As CEO and founding partner of Novus Consulting, Kate provides vision and leadership that shape the firm’s long-term strategy and growth. She serves as a trusted advisor to executive teams, helping mid-sized and large enterprises navigate complex operational transformations and leverage technology for sustainable advantage. Over the course of her career, Kate has designed and executed strategic roadmaps that deliver measurable business outcomes while staying aligned to her clients’ broader goals. She is recognized for her ability to build and lead high-performing teams, fostering collaboration among clients, partners, and vendors to solve critical challenges and unlock new opportunities for the energy world.
Maru Suarez Williams serves as the Enterprise Performance Delivery Lead at Chevron, where she drives strategic initiatives to accelerate commercial outcomes across the enterprise. She assumed this role in October 2025, bringing a strategic lens to performance delivery and value creation. She brings a wealth of global leadership experience, having held pivotal roles in supply chain transformations including strategy, logistics, ESG, and commercial stewardship across Venezuela, Argentina, and the United States.
Prior to her current role, Maru served as ESG Manager for Global Supply Chain Management, leading efforts to build inclusive, transparent, and low-carbon supply chains aligned with Chevron’s sustainability goals. She also served as Global Supply Chain Advisor and Chief of Staff to the Upstream Supply Chain GM, overseeing Chevron’s highest capital investment portfolio.
Maru chairs the Chevron Executive Women’s Group and the Supply Chain Diversity & Inclusion Council and has represented Chevron in global sustainability forums including IPIECA, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and the OGCI Low Carbon Procurement Group. Her leadership has been recognized with the ALLY GRIT Sustainability Champion Award and the World Commerce Association’s Innovation and Excellence Award.
She is a proud member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and actively supports community development through board service with the Wesley Community Center and the National Board of Trustees – Southwest Region of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Universidad del Zulia and an MBA from Arizona State University.
Maya Pazouki is a seasoned data and AI leader with a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions and fostering a positive team environment. With extensive experience in establishing data and AI strategy, governance, and business intelligence, Maya has driven significant improvements in operational efficiency and decision-making within large enterprises. She is a Chemical Engineer with over 24 years of experience in Oil & Gas, Manufacturing and lately Construction. Maya is passionate about digital innovation and change management and organizational effectiveness, consistently challenging the status quo to drive business growth and success.
Sonia Clayton is a recognized leader and philanthropist in the American energy sector, widely respected for her ability to drive transformational corporate change, technical innovation, and support workforce resilience. She is the Chairman of GLOBAL ENERGY TRANSITION (GET), a pioneering non-profit founded in 2021 to assist work-displaced professionals impacted by the shifts in the energy industry. Through GET, Sonia has provided pro bono career support to thousands of displaced energy workers in Texas and has directly helped place more than 600 professionals in Houston.
In parallel, Sonia serves as President and CEO of Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC (VIP), a leading ERP systems consulting firm with over 23 years of expertise in IT/HR/ERP digital transformations for the Oil & Gas and Energy sectors. Under her guidance, VIP has become a trusted partner to Fortune corporations and government agencies at the crossroads of Industry 4.0 and Energy 2.0.
Fluent in four languages and experienced in 70+ countries, Sonia also contributes to multiple university boards, shaping the future of education and leadership across the world. With 35 awards of excellence and leadership appointments including the Texas Judicial Council, she continues to advance innovation, industry transformations, workforce development, and global leadership within the energy space.
Education: A double bachelor’s in business management / business administration. She is a Harvard Business School Certified Negotiator and a graduate of the Stanford University Entrepreneurial Program.
Sean Barnes is the President of Wolf Executives and the host of The Way of the Wolf podcast. With over 20 years of leadership experience across IT, Operations, HR, ESG, and HSE, Sean brings a uniquely cross-functional perspective to every room he steps into. He founded Wolf Executives to help executives and leadership teams build clarity, strengthen culture, and drive meaningful results. Whether coaching the C-suite, facilitating workshops, or leading conversations from the stage, Sean’s mission is simple: elevate leaders and help them perform at their highest level.
Uday Turaga is Founder & CEO of ADI Analytics, a consulting and research firm based in Houston, Texas, and specializing in oil and gas, energy, chemicals, and industrials. Uday brings ~25 years of experience at ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Booz, and ADI. He has a PhD in fuel science from Penn State and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. Uday has published over 100 articles, holds two U.S. patents, and has won awards from U.S. National Academy of Engineering and American Chemical Society. Finally, he has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, and other media outlets and serves on the board of directors of Cavendish Renewable Technology.