This episode features Jennifer Montague, President and Chief Operating Officer for Columbia Gas of Virginia. Montague is also a Leading Women Executives Fellow, Fall 2018. Jennifer provides insights about innovation in the energy industry and delivers advice and experience about growing as a leader through taking on P&L roles, smartly planning for technology and people, advantages to working overseas, and creating smart plans for work-life balance.

SHOW NOTES:

The importance of P&L experience in carving a pathway to leadership [4:39]

Excitement and opportunity in the energy industry [6:21]

Building an AI strategy board: digital transformation and preparing for the future [8:35]

The importance of not losing critical thinking [10:43]

Intentional plans for future leaders [11:57]

The benefits of working overseas [14:00]

Different ways of balancing work and life [15:37]

Managing your derailers and growing as a leader [19:01]

Closed mouths don’t get fed (ask for what you want) [22:05]

Discussion Questions

We encourage you to connect with your peer board, team or colleagues to discuss the podcast. Please use the following questions to guide your conversation:

• How is your organization collectively thinking about, learning about, and working to understand the implications of AI?

• As you and your team start to leverage AI tools, what are you doing to also continue cultivating the important skill of critical thinking in yourself and within your team?

• How are you and your organization creating intentional pathways to train and prepare future leaders?

• What strategies can you share with others about managing derailers when the pressure is on?