Feature Stories
At ConocoPhillips, we believe actions matter.
Valuing everyone's contribution isn't just something we talk about. It's what we put into practice each day. We respect one another and are focused on creating an inclusive environment and culture that reflects the different backgrounds, experiences, ideas and perspectives of our employees.
That’s our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). But the true measure of our commitment can be found in the stories of the people who shape our culture and make us who we are.
‘A village of colleagues’
Robert Reeves, U.S. benefits advisor, and his husband, Ben, recently adopted two boys, Takoda, 3, and Chayton, 4.
“I’ve been immensely blessed to work for a company that has served as a pillar of support through many phases of my life."
When he first started working for ConocoPhillips, Robert wasn’t sure how receptive his colleagues would be to his family dynamic. But Robert’s supervisor made sure he had a thought partner and mentor to support him as he built his reputation and developed rapport with colleagues.
“My family grew, and I now have a village of colleagues who have rallied around me and have grown with me over the years. Being different is part of my personal brand and an inspiration, not a detriment.”
When ConocoPhillips leaders raised the LGBTQ+ flag for Pride Month in June 2020 at its Houston, Bartlesville and Alaska offices, it marked a defining moment in the company’s culture, Robert said.
“That was a monumental day in the history of the company. It took our DEI journey to the next level. It delivered a show of support, championed a sense of belonging and celebrated employees’ individuality and differences.”
Robert, an advocate in his community for the Bartlesville Regional United Way and State Chairman for Distinguished Young Women, is looking forward to seeing ConocoPhillips’ inclusive culture grow even stronger.
“I appreciate the ability to collaborate, network and watch history literally unfold as we embrace diversity and inclusion and continue our journey of making sure everyone has a voice and is appreciated for truly who they are.”
‘Creating a culture where it's safe to challenge’
Wendy King, vice president, Gulf Coast Business Unit, and member of the company’s DEI Council, was raised in a small town in Nebraska, the daughter of an agricultural family. She attended high school in Kansas and studied petroleum engineering at the Colorado School of Mines.
"We all have biases and most of them are unconscious. We need to create a culture where it’s safe to constructively challenge each other and make mistakes. Otherwise, it will be tough to drive lasting change."
After graduating, Wendy joined ConocoPhillips where, over the course of 30 years, she’s worked in seven business units and five countries. These experiences pushed Wendy to adapt and appreciate different workplace cultures and norms.
“I vividly remember walking into an industry event and finding myself the only woman in the room with approximately 30 men. I could quickly tell that it was going to be difficult to have the confidence for my voice to be heard in this forum.”
A respected senior government official went out of his way to create the opportunity for Wendy to speak.
“The inclusive leadership style of this ally is something I always remember in forums or meetings. I realize not everyone wants to speak up, so being sensitive to engaging with a group on key decisions is an area that I continue to work on.”
Another priority for Wendy is creating a sense of belonging for everyone. For her, part of that means taking the time to get out into the field to talk and listen to employees and contractors.
“My vision for the future is one in which every individual has the same opportunity to contribute and a sense of belonging throughout their career, regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, what language we speak, or sexual orientation.”
'Keep an open mind'
Sandhya Heide, IT Security EMEA Lead, Norway, was born and raised on the island of Mauritius.
“When I moved abroad I suddenly realized that people were still trying to understand the basics of multiculturalism. People tried to put me in a box, and I was not really fitting in any of the usual boxes.”
“It is not easy to get people to continuously keep an open mind and look at problems from different angles to find the best solutions. But starting now is better than never.”
After moving to Sandnes, a city just outside Stavanger, Sandhya joined the ConocoPhillips graduate program in 2007 in the Tananger office and later worked offshore on Ekofisk.
“The work culture encourages knowledge sharing, teamwork and collaboration with all levels of the organization. In a busy day, there is always time for some laughter and social interaction, whether in the form of a quick chat in the corridor, or a coffee/tea break. We have flexible work hours and are encouraged to maintain a good work-life balance.”
When Sandhya joined Capital Projects as a young professional telecommunications engineer, she was the only woman on a team of approximately 20 engineers.
“But my more experienced colleagues guided me and valued my contributions. They created an inclusive atmosphere where I could freely voice my views.”
Sandhya has contributed to such an inclusive atmosphere through her participation in a program that helps migrants granted asylum in Norway prepare to enter the labor force.
'Where your opinion counts'
Staff Reservoir Characterization Engineer Nuny Rincones joined ConocoPhillips earlier this year as part of the Concho transaction, so she’s seeing the organization with fresh eyes.
"Belonging at work is key for any employee to feel valued, respected and cherished. It’s important we spend our lives in environments where we are celebrated and encouraged to bring our whole selves to work every day, and inclusion makes this possible."
“The environment has been very welcoming. My colleagues are willing to share ideas and information freely, and that creates a culture where your opinion counts and is valued.”
It didn’t take Nuny, a Venezuelan native, long to notice a defining characteristic among the ConocoPhillips workforce: authenticity.
“Employees are OK to be themselves and share where they can help add value. I’ve felt that firsthand as a newcomer to the team. ConocoPhillips is what the world looks like. It’s very diverse. We have people from everywhere.”
Nuny, who leads the D&I committee for the Society of Petroleum Engineer's Permian Basin Chapter, is helping to establish employee networks at ConocoPhillips’ Midland office. She also runs a mentoring women’s circle in Midland.
'I have changed my thoughts and behaviors along the way'
Bill Arnold, president, ConocoPhillips China, recently celebrated his 35th year anniversary with ConocoPhillips, so he’s seen the company’s progress on DEI.
“I can honestly say I have changed my thoughts and behaviors along the way.”
Bill’s first ‘ah-ha’ moment came about 22 years ago when he received a call from his closest niece, an aspiring engineer just entering the industry — and struggling. She was facing gender discrimination and wanted guidance on how to navigate these barriers.
“There are always solutions to leveling the playing field if we dare to try. I’m glad to see our company progress in this space, and I'm committed to do my part on our journey.”
“I was taken aback because I had never really reflected on this issue, but I realized that if my talented niece was facing discrimination in the workplace, then countless other women must be, too.”
His niece’s story made him change. “As a man with growing leadership roles, I felt an obligation to use my influence to make a difference.”
While working in Norway, Bill set up small group chats with women employees. The subject: Why were men progressing to higher positions than women?
“I heard almost identical answers from each group. Maternity leave policies allow women to take a longer time off work. Young mothers were missing career development and promotion opportunities compared to their male counterparts.”
To address this issue, Bill said they encouraged new mothers to bring their babies to work or join virtual meetings to stay up to date during maternity leave.
'An amazing experience'
Engineer Dareen Dardor has been working at the ConocoPhillips Global Water Sustainability Center (GWSC) since 2017.
"The work environment at GWSC feels like having the best of both worlds — being in a small team but also part of a larger multinational organization. We are a diverse group of eight people from seven different countries, creating an interesting and enriching cultural mix."
"It has been an amazing experience where I am able to gain many practical skills in an applied research environment alongside a team of highly qualified scientists and engineers."
Working in such an environment has enabled Dareen to learn new skills and experience a wide range of challenges and tasks.
Dareen is an advocate for STEM education and frequently leads tours of young Qatari students through the Water Visitor Center, where a series of interactive displays appeals to young and old.
Recently she led the design and completion of a new Innovation and Technology section at the center. “In this section, we share our personal stories of how each of us on the GWSC team became scientists or engineers and what that means to us.”
Embracing different perspectives adds value to the company, Dareen said, as it's what leads to the best ideas.
"Our actions toward others and ways of thinking are shaped through years of experiences and lessons."
'Just like a big family'
Mirza Attaullah, Surmont site services coordinator, started working for ConocoPhillips as a contractor before becoming a full-time employee in June 2011.
Born in Jhelum, Pakistan, Mirza moved to Calgary, Alberta, along with his wife and four children in 2005.
"The best part of working here is the appreciation by peers and field leadership, which gives you more encouragement and confidence to deliver even better next time. Surmont is an amazing place."
"Surmont culture is fantastic. We are just like a big family. We have a culture of diversified people. We always share our good and bad with each other with an open heart."
As a Muslim with a Pakistani background, Mirza is always open for questions, clarifications or discussions about his religion or Asian culture.
He recently discussed his experience observing Ramadan at Surmont in a podcast for employees.
“Most were thinking Ramadan was like Christmas or Easter, an event that we celebrate. But it’s a complete month. It’s the ninth month of the Islamic calendar."
Mirza values the inclusive atmosphere at Surmont.
"Inclusion is always important in the workplace because it builds confidence in you to make maximum use of your education, expertise and personality."