Cindy Yeilding

Cindy Yeilding retired as SVP of Strategic Initiatives, bp America in 2021. Upon retirement, Cindy joined the Board of Directors of Denbury Inc. and The Center for Houston’s Future, and she also serves as a speaker, author, moderator and instructor. Cindy chaired the study team for the 2019 U.S. National Petroleum Council report on Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS), and is a co-instructor for the University of Houston CCUS Executive Education program. Recently, Cindy co-edited and contributed to the Elsevier textbook “Deepwater Sedimentary Systems: Science, Discovery and Applications (2022).” Cindy earned her MSc in Geology from UNC- Chapel Hill after receiving a BS in Geology from SMU. Cindy is past Chair of the Offshore Technology Conference and served on the Board of Directors of BPX&P and the Greater Houston Partnership until 2021. She was BP’s Executive Sponsor for Princeton University and is a member of the U.T. Jackson School’s Advisory Council. Cindy served as an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer in 2002-2003 and 2022-2023 and was named a “Legend in Exploration” by AAPG. Cindy has been recognized for her leadership in energy by numerous organizations, including the “Women in Energy Leadership” award from the Houston Business Journal, and has been recognized as one of Houston’s Top 15 Businesswomen by the National Diversity Council, one of Houston’s “50 Most Influential Women” by Houston Woman Magazine and one of Hart Energy’s “25 Influential Women in Energy.” Cindy is active in promoting STEM and women’s education.