Robin Greschner

Investor Relations and Communications - Petro Bakken Energy Ltd.

Robin Greschner works at PetroBakken Energy Ltd. in Investor Relations and Communications. She completed her Undergraduate Degree from Queen’s University and later returned to complete her MBA, earning the honour of Class President.

Apart from her job at PetroBakken, Robin is on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Association of the World Petroleum Council and Chairs the Youth Committee. Robin, along with a team of other equally ambitious young professionals, has made it their mission to ensure the millennial generation participates in the discussion about the future of the energy industry in Canada.

Robin is also an active participant in her local community and abroad. Currently, she is on the Board of Fort Calgary offering strategic input in the upcoming East Village Development in Calgary. She has also volunteered overseas and led initiatives to raise money to build classrooms in Africa.

In her free time, Robin likes to read, play sports, travel and cook.

We asked Robin:

The OGM: What does sustainability mean to you?

Robin: Sustainability is complicated, but the definition that has stuck with me is: meeting today’s needs without compromising the needs of future generations.

The OGM: Have you had a mentor?

Robin: At an early age, I recognized that everyone, no matter their rank or title, has lessons to share if you are willing to listen. That belief has served me well. I am indebted to many informal mentors for championing my career, challenging me beyond what I thought I was capable of doing, taking a chance on me and sharing their perspectives.

The OGM: What does success mean to you?

Robin: Success is the sum of every action I take. I use my values as my guiding principles and view professional achievements as only a small part of my success. Using this approach to life, while taking time to laugh, be kind and say yes to adventure, I will look back proud and consider myself to be successful.

The OGM: If you were to describe your career in three words what would they be?

Robin: Preparation meets opportunity.

The OGM: What advice would you give to someone looking for a career in the energy industry?

Robin: My advice is to do your homework to understand the varied opportunities that are available in our sector. I really believe this industry can provide a role for anyone; it is just a matter of finding a company and position that fits your personal motivations best.

The OGM: Describe a milestone in your career?

Robin: Landing my first job in Investor Relations was a major milestone for me. It was when my skills and interests collided and I experienced what it felt like to love your job.

The OGM: Describe a challenge you faced in your career?

Robin: A career challenge I have faced is developing patience. After four years of university case studies where I got to play CEO, policy maker and consultant, I graduated with some very lofty ambitions and strong opinions. Then I started my first entry-level position and realized I needed to earn my stripes. With time I have come to appreciate that you can have a meaningful impact at any level of an organization, it is simply a matter of perspective.

The OGM: What impact does technology have on your career?

Robin: Technology has dramatically impacted communication for individuals and companies.  The accessibility and instantaneous nature of information has changed how companies communicate, what they communicate and why they communicate. Technology has also raised the profile for organizations and made communication across several mediums a core part of a company’s strategy.

The OGM: What do the next five years look like in your career?

Robin: I have stopped trying to guess what the next 5 years might look like because I never seem to be right. My approach is to do my best at everything and let the rest take care of itself.  So far, reality has always exceeded my wildest expectations.

The OGM: Were you always interested in a career in Energy?

Robin: My original plan was to be a pediatrician. However, on a whim I decided to start an undergraduate degree in commerce. When it came to choosing a career, I knew I wanted to live close to my family, and therefore energy was good fit for me. It was only once I was immersed in the industry that I fully appreciated the opportunities that were available.

The OGM: What interests you to sustain a career in the Energy industry?

Robin: My original plan was to be a pediatrician. However, on a whim I decided to start an undergraduate degree in commerce. When it came to choosing a career, I knew I wanted to live close to my family, and therefore energy was good fit for me. It was only once I was immersed in the industry that I fully appreciated the opportunities that were available.

The OGM: Do you have a role model you look up to?

Robin: There are many people I look up to, but I believe that my path is unique to me. Therefore when I make a decision I look to others for input, but ultimately rely on my intuition. That way I am accountable to myself and am responsible for the outcome.

The OGM: What does Energy mean to you?

Robin: To me energy means progress.  Progress means the future. And the future requires strong leadership to develop our resources efficiently and responsibly.

The OGM: What is your favorite APP on your phone?

Robin: I am always impressed by Google’s products. Google Goggles amazes me.

The OGM: What impact will the Millennial Generation have on the Energy industry?

Robin: The discussion of the role of millennial generation is often limited to future labour supply. I firmly believe the millennials will do more than just fill positions; they will bring a renewed sense of leadership. Their fresh perspective, sense of creativity and tendency towards collaboration is exactly what our industry needs to move forward in a sustainable way. That is why it is so important that companies and industry do their part to attract and retain the best of that generation.

The OGM: What’s your take on Social Media and our ever changing digital world?

Robin: I love change, so the “next big thing” in social media always fascinates me. From an industry perspective, it allows individuals to have much louder voices, demands greater accountability from companies and facilitates a two-way dialogue. The trade-off is that information is far more subjective and facts can become blurred.

Personally, I am grateful that social media has allowed me to stay connected to friends and colleagues all around the world. However, no matter how sophisticated technology becomes I still rely on stationary and a pen on a regular basis.

The OGM: What Social Medium do you use on a daily basis?

Robin: I would have to say Twitter. I really appreciate a good hash tag.

The OGM: Do you use Social Media for work?

Robin: I rely on Twitter at work to provide me with breaking news as soon as it happens. I find it an efficient tool to monitor what stories are published on our company and the macroeconomic environment. I also like to follow thought leaders to gain insight into topics that I am most interested in.

The OGM: What do you think of Social Recruiting?

Robin: I think social recruiting has a place in researching candidates and linking individuals; however, there is no substitute to meeting someone face-to-face.

The OGM: Why do you love what you do?

Robin: I love what I do because I find the work interesting, the problems challenging, the leadership engaging and I have the opportunity to work with a great team.