Over the years, you have been very active in various mineral or energy organizations. What has EMLF meant to you? EMLF is a fantastic organization. I have met many wonderful people through EMLF. The camaraderie and support among the membership is hard to beat.

Has your involvement had a positive effect on your career? Absolutely, between the connections I’ve made and the substantive issues I’ve learned through the conferences, my involvement has had a positive impact.

Do you find time to travel for fun? Do you have a favorite place to visit? I love to travel and am almost always in the middle of planning at least one trip. As a mom of two young boys, we’re not going to some of the more exotic places I used to travel to (Vietnam, Peru, backpacking through Europe), but that’s okay, because lately our favorite places have been here in the U.S. Our family particularly enjoys summer trips to Nantucket, MA.

Favorite books/authors, genre? It will sound cliché as a Texan, but I love westerns. I recently finished Lonesome Dove and the sequel/prequels. Fantastic.

Other hobbies? I am a very slow runner, and have “competed” in a few “races.” It’s mostly an excuse to catch some alone time outside.

You have been practicing law for a number of years and have had substantial success. Is there any advice you would give to new lawyers and law students who are about to become lawyers? Lean in to your community, whatever that looks like. This career, and life generally, is more enjoyable when you surround yourself with people who share common goals, whether that’s within your firm/company, your kids’ school, local organizations that support work you’re passionate about, or industry groups focusing on subject matters that interest you. It’s much more fun when you’re part of a team.