SBM Offshore Guyana, in collaboration with the Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA), successfully hosted its second ‘Kickin’ Conversations’ empowerment activity last April 23 at Park Rayne.
With over 60 young female athletes and their coaches in attendance, the event provided an opportunity for participants to engage directly with inspiring women professionals from the SBM Offshore Guyana team.
Under the theme ‘Breaking Barriers, Building Confidence, Creating Futures with Grace’, the initiative blended football, leadership, etiquette, and career exposure with empowering workshops, mentorship moments, and engaging conversations.
During her keynote address, ‘Beyond the Field – Women Leading in Energy and Leadership’, Kiana Wilburg, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, shared impactful life lessons with the young attendees.
“No matter what you do, going forward from today, compete with yourself, strive to be
better than you were the day before… ask questions. No matter how old you get, never
think you shouldn’t ask questions,” Kiana advised.
She emphasised that success in Guyana’s oil and gas landscape will take more than talent, highlighting the importance of character, professionalism, and discipline.
“These qualities that you are learning today, I can assure you, they will open doors that your talent will not be able to,” she shared.
Additional qualities she highlighted included respect for employers and colleagues,
professionalism, and punctuality, noting that these will earn respect for their intellect,
character and integrity.
Gwenetta Fordyce, Sustainability Lead at SBM Offshore Guyana, also reinforced the value of such initiatives. “Seize every opportunity, equip yourself with industry knowledge, and mentorship to break barriers and take bold steps towards diverse professional pathways.”
Participants also heard from female leaders at SBM Offshore Guyana, who shared career insights spanning engineering, operations, leadership, and corporate transitions. Yeolena Callender, International Mobility Specialist, presented on the topic, ‘First Impression Matters: Personal and Professional Etiquette.’ Deborah King, Etiquette and Protocol Consultant and Director of HAROBED Training, facilitated a session on dining and social etiquette. Dr. Shivon Lewis-Isles, Occupational Health Doctor, and Shivaughn Wilson, HR Business Partner, led an ‘Aspiration Workshop’ focused on mental resilience and long-term success strategies. Karla Coimbra, Technical Manager, conducted a session on ‘Leadership and Teamwork through Sports,’ emphasising the importance of collaboration, initiative and trust. These sessions created a dynamic exchange among aspiring professionals and industry mentors.
The Girls in Football Development Programme is designed to not only teach football skills but to empower young girls through mentorship and exposure to a wide range of career paths. It aims to build confidence, ambition and the tools necessary to succeed – on and off the field.
