When people think about the oil and gas industry, they often imagine a tough, male-dominated workplace. But across the sector, women engineers are proving that they belong at the centre of some of its most complex and important projects.
This Women’s Day, we share the voices of women from the energy sector who explain how diversity and talent are reshaping the industry.
Danijela Vrbek: Leading Tight Oil Operations in Rajasthan
The Head of Tight Oil for Rajasthan North at Cairn Oil & Gas, Danijela Vrbek, shared her experience with ET. With more than 15 years in the energy industry, she has worked across several technical and operational roles, including Subsurface, Production Optimisation, Operations Excellence, and Tight Oil.
Speaking about her journey and the importance of diversity in the workplace, Vrbek explained how inclusion directly influences organisational success.
“More than 15 years in the energy industry have taught me that inclusion is not an initiative, it is a performance driver. High-performing organisations are inclusive organisations,” she said.
Why Inclusion Matters in the Energy Industry
According to Vrbek, solving complex engineering challenges requires different viewpoints and collaborative thinking.
“Across my career in Subsurface, Production Optimisation, Operations Excellence and now Tight Oil, I have learnt that inclusion matters because complex reservoirs, like complex organisations, require different viewpoints to unlock their full potential,” she said.
She added that inclusive workplaces allow employees to feel valued and confident in contributing their ideas.
“Inclusion creates an environment where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to contribute fully. That is when performance improves. That is when transformation happens,” she said.
Women Leaders Redefining Leadership in Oil and Gas
The oil and gas industry has traditionally been male-dominated, particularly in senior technical and operational positions. However, the growing presence of women leaders is gradually reshaping the sector.
Vrbek believes that women stepping into leadership roles is not merely symbolic but strategically important for organisations.
“In an industry where leadership has traditionally been male-dominated, women stepping into senior technical and operational roles is not symbolic, it is strategic,” she said.
She further explained that women leaders contribute to more balanced decision-making and bring diverse perspectives that strengthen organisations.
“It is not about standing apart, but about standing strong, bringing diverse perspectives and balanced decision-making. When women lead in Oil & Gas, we expand what leadership looks like and create space for others to grow,” she said.
International Women’s Day 2026
For Vrbek, International Women’s Day represents more than a moment of recognition. It is a reminder that progress happens when workplaces encourage every individual to contribute fully.
“Women’s Day, for me, is a reminder that progress happens when everyone has a voice, every day,” she said.
She added that the focus should go beyond celebrating achievements to building workplaces where talent and ambition are not restricted by stereotypes.
“It goes beyond recognition, it is about building workplaces where talent, ambition, and leadership are not limited by stereotypes, but strengthened by diversity,” she said.
This Women’s Day, we share the voices of women from the energy sector who explain how diversity and talent are reshaping the industry.
Danijela Vrbek: Leading Tight Oil Operations in Rajasthan
The Head of Tight Oil for Rajasthan North at Cairn Oil & Gas, Danijela Vrbek, shared her experience with ET. With more than 15 years in the energy industry, she has worked across several technical and operational roles, including Subsurface, Production Optimisation, Operations Excellence, and Tight Oil.Speaking about her journey and the importance of diversity in the workplace, Vrbek explained how inclusion directly influences organisational success.
“More than 15 years in the energy industry have taught me that inclusion is not an initiative, it is a performance driver. High-performing organisations are inclusive organisations,” she said.
Why Inclusion Matters in the Energy Industry
According to Vrbek, solving complex engineering challenges requires different viewpoints and collaborative thinking.“Across my career in Subsurface, Production Optimisation, Operations Excellence and now Tight Oil, I have learnt that inclusion matters because complex reservoirs, like complex organisations, require different viewpoints to unlock their full potential,” she said.
She added that inclusive workplaces allow employees to feel valued and confident in contributing their ideas.
“Inclusion creates an environment where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to contribute fully. That is when performance improves. That is when transformation happens,” she said.
Women Leaders Redefining Leadership in Oil and Gas
The oil and gas industry has traditionally been male-dominated, particularly in senior technical and operational positions. However, the growing presence of women leaders is gradually reshaping the sector.Vrbek believes that women stepping into leadership roles is not merely symbolic but strategically important for organisations.
“In an industry where leadership has traditionally been male-dominated, women stepping into senior technical and operational roles is not symbolic, it is strategic,” she said.
She further explained that women leaders contribute to more balanced decision-making and bring diverse perspectives that strengthen organisations.
“It is not about standing apart, but about standing strong, bringing diverse perspectives and balanced decision-making. When women lead in Oil & Gas, we expand what leadership looks like and create space for others to grow,” she said.
International Women’s Day 2026
For Vrbek, International Women’s Day represents more than a moment of recognition. It is a reminder that progress happens when workplaces encourage every individual to contribute fully.“Women’s Day, for me, is a reminder that progress happens when everyone has a voice, every day,” she said.
She added that the focus should go beyond celebrating achievements to building workplaces where talent and ambition are not restricted by stereotypes.
“It goes beyond recognition, it is about building workplaces where talent, ambition, and leadership are not limited by stereotypes, but strengthened by diversity,” she said.