Ayanna Whaul stands out as one of Halliburton’s key human resource professionals in the Caribbean region. As a talent management specialist, she plays a central role in training and development, local content reporting, succession planning, and capacity building. Her work directly supports the company’s operations in the region.
“I support the Caribbean geographical market,” she explained. “I help with any training that is needed and capacity development initiatives to support the product service lines and operations.”
Whaul’s path into the oil and gas sector was not straightforward. She left a permanent role in another company to join Halliburton in what was initially a temporary administrative position.
“At first I was concerned about taking on an administrative role,” she recalled. “But I said, ‘You know what? You never know what you are going to learn.’ I had reached as far as I could where I was, so I made the jump.”
It was a leap of faith grounded in her desire for growth. “I always wanted to transition into the energy sector. It is growing, and I want to be a part of it. I saw that Halliburton focused on employee development. I said, ‘This is the perfect role for me.”
Since joining, she has expanded her reach and impact. She has traveled to Trinidad to deliver training sessions and routinely collaborates with talent management colleagues across Latin America. “I ask a lot of questions,” she admitted. “We are a small team, so exposure to the wider group has been critical.”
One of her favorite parts of the job is presentation coaching. She recalls helping a manager prepare for a global training session. He went on to deliver a compelling message about safety, sharing a personal experience from his time at Halliburton.
Whaul does not just train others to adopt a safety-first mindset, she takes it home. “I tell my family all the time, ‘What are the potential hazards here?’ The goal is to return home safely. Safety can save your home. Your life. Your family.”
Whaul recognizes the significance of her presence in Guyana’s energy industry. “When I looked around, it was primarily men. I believe you have the ability to make an impact, no matter who you are.”
She encourages young women to ignore the stereotypes and embrace opportunities with confidence. “Do not be placed in a box. Knowledge stretches that box. When I joined Halliburton, I came early every day. I left late. I took the 6:30 p.m. bus instead of the 5 p.m. one. I wanted to learn.”
Her advice is simple but powerful: “Apply yourself. Be intentional. It might be intimidating, but if you want to achieve something, you have every right to be in that room.”
