Kimberly Sands, Director of Reserves and Planning, named to DBJ 2020 Top Women in Energy

July 2020—For many years, Great Western has prioritized diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  Not only is it the right thing to do, but it is good for our business as well – Great Western views people as our most valuable asset, and we work hard to support, empower, and truly value every member of the team.

One important leader at Great Western is Kimberly Sands. A Colorado School of Mines alum, Kim is a petroleum engineer and our director of reserves and planning. It was no surprise that Kim recently was recognized in Denver Business Journal’s 2020 Top Women in Energy.

During her three years at Great Western Petroleum, Kimberly has contributed to the rapid growth of the company to nearly 60,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. She manages the broad scope of Great Western’s properties and minerals and excels in the development and execution of some of our most strategic projects.

“I am honored to receive this award and represent Colorado women working in energy,” said Kim upon hearing the announcement. “Women continue to earn a seat at the table in this industry and I love working for a company that encourages my professional growth while prioritizing diversity in leadership.”

Kim is a strong advocate for women in energy, and a respected leader among her peers at Great Western and in the industry as a whole. She is highly deserving of this award because of her passion and commitment that ensures talented people – from any background – see Great Western and the energy industry as a place to contribute and grow.

Rich Frommer, the president and CEO of Great Western, emphasizes the impact women have had on the organization. “I am grateful to have many female voices to weigh in on Great Western’s strategies and operations. Our leadership team is better than ever, and many of our victories are directly attributed to our female team members.”

In an industry that has been predominantly male, Great Western is a frontrunner in encouraging women to pursue careers in energy. Thirty-five percent of Great Western’s management team are women, and the organization plans to grow that number in the future. For as much as Great Western is committed to Colorado, it is also committed to the women of Colorado. The organization will continue to advocate on behalf of women and lead in diverse management for Colorado energy companies.