About WEN


The Women’s Energy Network (WEN) is a global organization of professionals who work across the energy value chain. WEN’s vision is to be the premier global organization that educates, attracts, retains, and develops professionals working across the energy value chain. Our mission is to provide networking opportunities and foster the career and leadership development of women who work in the energy industries.

WEN was founded in 1994 by Karyl White with the purpose of fostering the development and advancement of women in energy by developing a strong network. After years of being the sole woman on energy transactions, Karyl believed that many women energy professionals were in the same position, but unable to connect with each other. More than 25 years later, WEN remains committed to providing high-caliber events and networking to its diverse membership from across the energy value chain. 

Today WEN offers educational, networking, and leadership opportunities to more than 6,000 professionals globally through networking events, conferences, community initiatives, social outings, and mentoring programs.

About Our Founder

Karyl White is a retired energy attorney with more than 30 years of legal, executive and governmental affairs experience in the energy industry. Karyl retired from Phillips & Reiter, PLLC where she practiced mid and downstream energy and construction law. Prior to private practice, Karyl was General Counsel of Freeport LNG and CMS Marketing, Services and Trading Company, as well as Assistant General Counsel for MidCon Corp. While with MidCon, Karyl served as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Alan Dixon in Washington DC in the Congressional Assistant Program and was head of MidCon Corp’s D.C. office. Karyl graduated from the University of Chicago Law School and Bradley University, summa cum laude.

Karyl initiated and chaired the development of the first model natural gas sales/purchase agreement, which the Gas Industry Standards Board (now the North American Energy Standards Board) adopted as a standard in 1996, and which is still used, as amended, today for the majority of natural gas sales in the US.

HONORS

  • Inducted into the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame (2018).
  • Chosen as one of “Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women” by Houston Woman Magazine (June/July 2008)
  • Honored as one of the “Top 50 Women in Energy in the World” in 2002; only General Counsel so honored that year, by Commodities Now and Accenture.
  • Honored in 1995 by the Houston Chronicle as “Woman on the Move,” one of the top 10 business/community leaders in Houston.

Disclaimer
WEN is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit business organization and does not engage in any political campaign activity, supporting or opposing any candidate for public office. WEN believes that we play an important role in helping to educate our members regarding the issues that affect the energy industry. Occasionally, Global or Chapters may invite elected officials to speak at events, but it's for educational purposes only.

Membership dues are used to support the activities of WEN. Dues or any of the association assets are not used as campaign contributions.