WPC Energy is proud to announce that Vicki Hollub, President and CEO
of Occidental (since 2016), has been selected as the recipient of the Dewhurst
Award, the highest honour bestowed by WPC Energy in recognition of her leadership
and contributions to the energy industry. The award will be formally presented during
the 25th WPC Energy Congress, to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 26-30 April 2026.
The Dewhurst Award recognises exceptional individuals whose leadership and
contributions have had a lasting impact on the global energy industry. Named after
Thomas Dewhurst, the founder and first Chair of WPC Energy, the award symbolises
visionary excellence and commitment to progress in energy.
She is the 13th awardee and the first woman to receive the Dewhurst Award in the 92
year history of WPC Energy, the most recent winner was Amin H. Nasser (Saudi
Arabia, 2023). In 1933, Thomas Dewhurst (1881-1973), then President of the Institute
of Petroleum in the United Kingdom, organised our first Congress, which now over 90
years later is in its’ 25th edition, and the Dewhurst Award is a tribute to him and to its
recipient, who will also present the Dewhurst Lecture.
Vicki Hollub becomes the latest in a distinguished line of industry leaders to receive
this honour. As the first woman to head up a major American oil and gas company,
her leadership at Occidental (Oxy) has been marked by strategic innovation, a strong
commitment to sustainability, and a forward-thinking approach to the energy
transition. Her influence has helped shape global discourse on energy responsibility
and long-term resilience.
During her more than 40-year career with Oxy, Vicki has held a variety of
management and technical positions. Under her leadership, Oxy has made
significant strides in carbon management, including the development of direct air
capture technology and the establishment of the world’s first commercial-scale
direct air capture facility. Additionally, her strategic acquisitions of Anadarko
Petroleum in 2019 and CrownRock in 2024 significantly enhanced Oxy’s premier
portfolio in the Permian Basin.
Vicki also serves on the boards of Lockheed Martin and the American Petroleum
Institute. She is a member of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative and past chair of the
World Economic Forum’s Oil and Gas Community.
Pedro Miras, WPC Energy President, said “On behalf of our Board and Members I am
delighted to congratulate her on this recognition. Vicki Hollub’s visionary leadership
and unwavering dedication to innovation and sustainability have set a benchmark for
excellence in our industry. She embodies the spirit of the Dewhurst Award — forward
looking, courageous, and deeply committed to advancing the global energy dialogue.
Her contributions continue to inspire the next generation of energy leaders.”
In recognition of her achievements, Vicki was also named Energy Executive of the
Year 2023 by Energy Intelligence, becoming the first woman to receive this honour.
She was elected to the National Academy of Engineering Class of 2024 and received
the United States Energy Association’s U.S. Energy Award in 2025 for her leadership
and contributions to the national and global understanding of energy issues.
“I am honored to be selected for the Dewhurst Award and appreciate WPC Energy
recognizing our company’s achievements,” said Vicki Hollub. “The Dewhurst Award
reflects the collective efforts of the talented and dedicated team at Oxy, whose
commitment to innovation, operational and technical excellence, and sustainability
drives our success.”
The announcement of this milestone comes ahead of what promises to be a historic
Congress in Riyadh, where industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators will gather
to shape the future of energy.
For further information about WPC Energy, contact:
Sarah Beattie; Director, Communications
E-mail:
Website: www.wpcenergy.org
Congress Website: www.wpcenergy2026.org