Navigating the Energy Transition feat. Diana Khandilyan ’20 Owl Have You Know

Diana Khandilyan is an energy industry expert who dedicated more than 20 years to the international oil and gas exploration industry, focusing on emerging technologies, process optimization and corporate sustainability. 

The energy transition motivated her to pursue an MBA degree from Rice Business to explore the business viability of emerging trends, followed by immersion in clean-energy technologies.
The geophysicist and energy transition advocate joins host Maya Pomroy ’22 to discuss her 20+ years in the international oil and gas industry and her transition to the renewable energy space.

The 2023 Rising Star Award winner talks about growing up in Armenia and Russia. She also dives into her newest position and the integral role Rice Business has played, and continues to play, in her life and career.
Episode Guide: 
01:01 Discussing the Impact of COVID-19 on Graduation
02:05 Diana’s Background and Career
06:25 Understanding the Role of Women in STEM
09:10 Diana’s Journey in Energy Transition
10:45 The Decision to Pursue an MBA at Rice
14:23 The Impact of the MBA on Diana’s Career
20:04 Discussing the Current Landscape of Energy Transition
22:09 The Role of AI in Energy Transition
25:38 The Goal of Net Zero Emissions by 2050
27:23 Future Career Goals
28:20 Advice for Prospective MBA Students


Owl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.
Episode Quotes:
Time is an investment in the energy industry
[09:59]: Several interesting conversations we had during the class with our guest speakers, with our overall, the macroeconomic overviews, that made me understand the trend towards energy source diversification. And if that is happening, then inevitably there will be new opportunities where investment will be going instead of coming to oil and gas.So, it was driven by old follow the money situation. And if the investors are thinking and investing in sustainable projects, in green energy, or any other options rather than oil and gas, then probably this is where I need to be.


Excellence in expertise requires industry and world awareness
09:39: It doesn't matter how good you are at what you do. You need to understand what is happening across the industry and what is happening in the world, as well. Geoscience is not limited
13:28: Geoscience is not limited. It's not just we are so technical we can do one thing. We can actually do many, many things. This would be probably if any other prospective student’s thinking about changing their profession, thinking that they are very technical, as I was thinking before. You are not. Please don't be discouraged. You will learn ninety-nine percent of things you will learn is new, but the application of the things that you will learn, you are doing today. So, this will just help you and expand your horizons, but it will not be completely pushing you towards the unknown. So, don't be discouraged.On being a woman in the STEM industry
16:32: I never felt like, because of the woman, I could not do something. It's never, never on my radar. And maybe because I didn't think that the people around me who I work with didn't think that either. I was just able to filter out whatever would be offensive or sensible for other people. You just learn to do that, and push forward.
Show Links: 
TranscriptGuest Profile:
Diana Khandilyan | Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University 
Diana Khandilyan LinkedIn