As women continue to move forward, challenging predefined beliefs about their roles, Open iT wants to be a part of that movement. Recently, in November, two Open iT female leaders were sent to the “Women’s Global Leadership Conference in Energy & Technology” in Houston. Industry leaders from a multitude of countries and companies gathered to discuss issues regarding gender and cultural diversity, professional success, corporate strategy and aspects related to women’s role in industry.

Gulf Research conducted a qualitative web survey of female executives in the oil patch, and concluded that “we should include a balance of women and men in all groups and organizations including task forces and leadership levels.” Open iT welcomed this idea long ago and encouraged female employees to breech the barrier to holding leadership positions, as well as to change the public perception of what gender-role attitudes and leadership entails. For more information about the survey and the conference, go to www.aapg.org/explorer/2009/01jan/women.cfm .