Women Offshore Podcast

Ask an Ambassador!

In this episode, we’re bringing you a replay of one of our most popular live events—Ask an Ambassador! Liz Schmidt hosts an honest and uplifting conversation with several of our Ambassadors, answering questions directly from the Women Offshore community. Whether you’re new to the industry or navigating your next steps, you’ll find encouragement and takeaways you can use today.We’d love to hear what stood out to you—reach out on social and share your thoughts!  

Navigating Carbon: Deb Ryan on Energy, Emissions & Leadership in a Changing World

In Episode 246 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Christine MacMillan sits down with Deb Ryan, CEO and Founder of Swan Mountain Advisory, and one of the newest members of the Women Offshore Board. With nearly 20 years of experience across emissions management, carbon markets, and the upstream oil and gas industry, Deb brings a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic insight, and global perspective.Deb has built her career at the intersection of engineering, energy, and climate. A licensed Professional Engineer in both Colorado and Texas, she holds degrees in Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and an MBA — a foundation that has enabled her to lead across operators, consulting, and analytics firms such as S&P Global.Today, Deb runs Swan Mountain Advisory, where she helps organizations navigate the rapidly changing world of carbon management, including emissions reduction, financed emissions, transition risk, and the evolving carbon markets landscape. Her voice is widely sought after, and she has addressed international audiences at CERAWeek, International Energy Week, APPEC, and more.Her leadership extends into board service as well — with positions at AlphaX Decision Sciences, Geofinancial Analytics, and 1089.inc, where she advises on AI integration, methane data analysis, and carbon market methodologies. She is also faculty at the University of Colorado Denver, teaching “Carbon Markets for Business.”In this episode, Deb shares her journey from petroleum engineer to carbon strategy expert, what companies often misunderstand about emissions, and how the energy transition is reshaping opportunities across the maritime and offshore workforce. She also reflects on what it means to join the Women Offshore Board and why representation and mentorship are essential for the future. Tune in to Episode 246 to gain a deeper understanding of carbon markets, climate risk, and the real-world decisions shaping tomorrow’s energy landscape.

From Offshore Engineer to Executive Leader: The Trailblazing Journey of Gladys DeClouet

In Episode 245 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Christine MacMillan speaks with Gladys DeClouet, author of A Layered Life: Breaking Barriers as a Trailblazing Black Woman in Corporate America, about her incredible journey across two male-dominated industries—offshore oil and gas, and the restaurant business.Gladys began her career at Conoco Oil as the first female engineer in offshore exploration and production, blazing a trail for women in energy long before diversity initiatives were standard practice. Over the next 30 years, she rose through the ranks at BP, Burger King, and Jack in the Box, leading multi-billion-dollar divisions, building diverse, high-performing teams, and setting new standards for operational excellence.Her story is one of grit, grace, and growth—from breaking barriers as both a woman and a person of color to mentoring the next generation of leaders. Gladys brings warmth and wisdom to her reflections, sharing insights from her memoir A Layered Life, which dives into the complexities of identity, perseverance, and purpose. Tune in to Episode 245 to hear Gladys discuss how she turned adversity into opportunity, what leadership truly means, and why mentoring is one of the most powerful legacies we can leave behind. Learn more about A Layered Life at gladysdeclouet.com.

Stronger Doesn’t Mean Harder: Why It’s Time to Redefine Resilience at Sea

In Episode 244 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Executive Director Liz Schmidt and Director of Career Development Christine MacMillan sit down for an open and honest conversation about resiliency—and why it may be time to rethink how we talk about it.Resilience is often celebrated as the hallmark of success, especially for women working offshore in a male-dominated industry. But what happens when “being resilient” becomes an expectation rather than an empowering choice?Liz and Christine explore the fine line between healthy resilience—the ability to adapt and recover—and resilience fatigue, where constant endurance starts to take a toll on mental health, identity, and joy in the work itself.They share their own perspectives from years of working in maritime, discussing how women often feel the need to prove themselves over and over again, showing strength in every situation. But the truth is, resilience shouldn’t have to mean running on empty.This candid conversation dives into: The myth of endless toughness The cost of resilience without support How we can redefine strength as authenticity, balance, and connection Tune in to Episode 244 to hear Liz and Christine’s honest reflections—and join us as we reshape what it truly means to thrive offshore.

Sailing into Purpose: Phoebe Rogers on Adventure, Adversity, and Transformation at Sea

In Episode 243 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Christine MacMillan sits down with Phoebe Rogers—a sailor, educator, and adventurer whose life is defined by courage, curiosity, and the call of the ocean.Phoebe calls herself a mountain girl at heart with a sailing problem. Her love for sailing began at age 14 on Lake Tahoe, racing with her stepfather aboard a Melges 24. But that early spark evolved into something much bigger: a calling to live fully, challenge limits, and connect people to themselves and the sea.In 2020, Phoebe made a life-changing decision. She left her job as a legal assistant to pursue sailing full-time, chasing her passion for adventure and teaching. Today, she holds both a USCG Master’s MMC and a commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certification, and has worked on vessels ranging from 72-foot adventure yachts to quick little dinghies used for sail training.For Phoebe, sailing is far more than a skill or a job—it’s a medium for personal transformation. Whether navigating through remote stretches of ocean or leading crews through challenging conditions, she finds fulfillment in helping others safely live out their wildest sailing dreams.Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that crew work, selective adversity, and adventure have the power to connect us—to the environment, to each other, and to ourselves. Tune in to Episode 243 to hear Phoebe’s story of courage, transformation, and the pursuit of a life truly lived offshore.