BP EXECUTIVE INSISTS
SCIENCE AND MATH ARE
DEFINITELY FOR GIRLS
2. Of what in your career, thus far, are you most
proud?
I am most gratified that I have continued to learn
and develop new skills throughout my career.
Graduating from college was not the end of
studying and learning – it was just the beginning.
I am also quite proud to know that I may have, in
some small way, helped others along their paths of
personal and career growth.
3. What are your hobbies?
For relaxation, I dabble with painting (acrylics and
pastels), and I am embarking on a new hobby of
small-scale metalworking, thanks to a marvelous
gift from my son this past Christmas. And, of
course, I love following and watching any sporting
event featuring my beloved Auburn Tigers.
The Society of Women in Sciences and
Mathematics (SWSM) is a COSAM-based
organization committed to increasing awareness
of the opportunities available for women in the
fields of sciences and mathematics. Each spring,
SWSM hosts a symposium and luncheon for area
high school girls to experience a dynamic, one-day
event. The symposium includes a panel discussion
from accomplished women in various disciplines,
opportunities to receive mentorship on possible
career paths, and a luncheon featuring a keynote
speech delivered by a woman distinguished in her
discipline.
This year’s speaker
was Laura Folse
(pictured left),
geology ’80,
executive vice
president for
response and
environmental
restoration for
BP’s Gulf Coast
Restoration
Organization.
In this role,
she leads the
operations, scientific, and technological programs
within the multi-billion dollar cleanup and
restoration effort BP initiated in response to the
2010 Deepwater Horizon accident. Her team’s
strategic priorities include progressing completion
of the response to the accident, in collaboration
48
Journey/Fall: 2015
with key stakeholders, and providing scientific and
technical support in four key areas: the Deepwater
Horizon accident response, environmental
restoration, economic recovery, and building
public trust in the Gulf Coast’s natural resources.
Her leadership style was profiled in D. Michael
Abrashoff ’s book, Get Your Ship Together, and she
was featured in Lori Silverman’s book, Wake Me Up
When the Data is Over. Additionally, news journalist
Auberi Edler developed a French television
documentary about her business and personal
life, Something Has Really Gotta Give. Along with
supporting SWSM, Folse is also active with the
Auburn University Department of Geosciences’
Advisory Board.
1. What is it about your leadership style that is so
unique it draws folks to write about and document
you, and what lessons do you hope the public received
from the books and/or documentary?
I have been surprised and honored by the interest
some authors and journalists have had in my
personal leadership style. I certainly do not claim to
have mastery of this subject. However, I am happy
to share with others what I am continuing to learn
about the importance of not trying to be something
you are not, and to embrace that just as there are
many different ways to be a good student, so too are
there many ways to be a good manager and leader.
For me, it is about being clear on expectations,
providing team members with the tools they need
to do their jobs, and being willing to have honest
and kind conversations with them when they make
mistakes...and to do the same for myself.
4. Is there a particular area of COSAM that holds
significant interest for you? If so, what is it and why?
The Department of Geosciences, of course! All
four siblings in my family attended Auburn for
our bachelor’s degrees. Three of us - my two older
brothers and I – have degrees in geology, and our
younger sister received her degree in sociology. I
think that for many people, their only encounter
with geology is the basic class they took as a
science elective. Unfortunately, this may not always
give them a true appreciation for the importance
of geology. As the scientific study of the origin,
history, and processes of the earth, geology is of
critical importance to human progress, because
almost everything we do or create is in some way
related to the earth.
5. Why did you agree to be the keynote speaker for
the Society for Women in Sciences and Mathematics
Symposium Luncheon?
I was honored to be invited to be the keynote
speaker at the Society of Women in Science and
Mathematics Symposium and delighted to accept.
I looked forward to the opportunity to travel to
Auburn and meet young women with an interest
in a wide range of technical fields. I also enjoyed
sharing with them what I am continuing to learn
about the importance of science and mathematics
in all aspects of career and life. Most importantly,
I had an opportunity to reinforce what they
hopefully already know—that science and math are
definitely for girls.
For more information on SWSM, visit
www.auburn.edu/cosam/swsm