Georgie Wright is the General Manager of Business Operations at Jemena, overseeing the operational performance of Gas Transmission assets across Eastern Australia and the Northern Territory. She leads 24/7 control room operations, the Operational Excellence Team, and cross-functional Business Performance Teams. Passionate about leadership, Georgie is dedicated to fostering team growth and delivering value. Outside of work, she is a devoted mother to three children, balancing her roles as a leader, mum, wife, and friend. She is known for creating an empowering work environment that supports professional and personal development.

1. As the General Manager of Business Operations at Jemena and a mother of three, how have you navigated the challenges of balancing a high-level leadership role in the pipeline sector with your personal life?

The most important contribution in navigating these challenges is through a strong support network, both in my personal life and within the workplace. There are times when my family have needed me or the kids are unwell meaning my focus needs to be on them. That is when the support of my manager, my team and my peers is critical so I can focus on what is important in that moment without guilt. Outside of work, my husband is a great support although he works shiftwork meaning there is less flexibility for him to respond to the call from school or work from home. I have learnt that there are times when I need to ask for help from others or accept an offer from another family of taking my kids to activities – I don’t need to try and do it all!

I have learnt over the past 10 years in leadership roles that the term balance hasn’t really resonated with me and in the way that I sometimes need to work, especially with the demands with working in operational roles. Instead, I prefer to refer to harmony and this is more about integration and synergy with my work demands and personal priorities as, at times, they both need to coexist.

2. The pipeline industry is often seen as male-dominated. What initiatives or strategies have you championed to support and empower women in this sector?

Over the past 18 months I have been a part of our Respect @ Work Steering Committee which has been focused on creating a safe and respectful workplace for our employees, especially women. The rollout of an in-person workshop to our 3000 employees and hearing how this has shifted the perceptions and biases has been amazing to witness. 

I have also created an Alumni for our female team members that have been a part of the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) Women’s Leadership Program with a focus on keeping their development and connection alive. 

I am also a mentor, both formally and informally within the workplace and through a local university.

Sometimes the most meaningful things are the simple things, such as taking the time to have a coffee with our new female graduates or with those that are working in heavily dominated male teams, just so they have a chance to share how they are going and if there is anything that I can help make their experience working within Jemena better.

3. Your extensive experience in operations management must have given you unique insights. What are the most significant technical advancements or challenges you’ve encountered in managing pipeline infrastructure, and how have you addressed them?

Our industry is evolving rapidly and we face unique challenges within Australia with our gas transmission assets due to their span, remoteness and shift in energy sources. 

Relating to our assets, some of these take a full day to reach as they are 2000km+ away from our Control Room and main office so it is important to prioritise time in the field to create connection with our field crews and gain an understanding of the challenges they face. 

I heave learnt many lessons on the discipline required to achieve operational excellence through lived incidents or serious near misses. My key takeaway is it is critical to understand the process safety risks (high consequence, low probability) of the operations and never lose complacency in assuming an incident can’t happen here. There are too many examples of major accident events playing out all over the world which always come back to a number of barriers failing related to fundamental systems such as Risk Assessment and Management, Management of Change and Maintenance of Safety Systems and Equipment.

As far as technical advancements, I think our biggest leap is just ahead of us with the power of AI. There is so much scope here to consider how we can operate and understand our asset performance and network operation more efficiently. If I think about the possibilities around being more predictive, I see huge potential in being about to uplift safety and process safety performance within the energy industry. 

4. Many young women look up to leaders like you. What advice would you give to aspiring female engineers or managers entering the pipeline or energy industries?

My advice to aspiring female engineers or managers entering the pipeline or energy industries would be multifaceted. First and foremost, find strong supporters. Building a network of mentors, peers, and advocates is crucial. Surround yourself with people who believe in your potential, offer guidance, and push you to be your best. These supporters can help you navigate challenges and open doors you might not have imagined.

Secondly, it’s important to be deliberate in your development plans. Set clear goals for where you want to go, and then actively work towards them. Seek out opportunities that align with these plans. Whether it’s taking on a challenging project, pursuing further education, or building new skills, intentional growth is key. And if you are not quite sure what pathway you want to progress down, use your development plan to broaden skills and find what you love.

Also, always remain curious. The industries we work in are constantly evolving, and the best leaders are those who remain open to learning and adapting. Keep asking questions and never be afraid to explore new areas. Curiosity will keep you engaged and innovative, which is essential for growth and success.

Finally, say yes to opportunities. When you’re early in your career, sometimes the best way to learn and grow is by stepping outside of your comfort zone. Take on tasks that challenge you, volunteer for projects that stretch your capabilities, and don't hesitate to take on leadership roles, even if you feel unsure at first. Saying yes opens doors to experiences and connections that can shape your career in unexpected ways.

5. As a leader, how do you ensure that your workplace fosters an inclusive and supportive environment for diverse teams, including women, in both technical and managerial roles?

As a leader, I focus on fostering an inclusive and supportive environment by promoting a culture of respect, open communication, and equal opportunities for all team members, regardless of gender or background. I’m fortunate to work for a company that genuinely values inclusivity, which enables me to lead by example while benefiting from processes and practices that support this mission. I make it a priority to ensure diverse voices are heard and respected, encouraging collaboration and creating space for everyone to share their ideas. This includes offering mentorship and professional development tailored to the needs of women and underrepresented groups in both technical and managerial roles. I also advocate for policies that promote work-life integration and ensure diverse perspectives are integrated into decision-making, helping our workplace attract and retain top talent from all backgrounds.

6. With the global focus shifting towards sustainable energy, how do you see the role of pipelines evolving in the energy transition, and what technical or strategic measures is Jemena taking to stay ahead in this transformation?

We know that gas will continue to play a role in the future energy transition, particularly as a partner to intermittent renewable technologies which require firming technology – such as gas – to be available when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind isn’t blowing. Gas will also continue to be crucial for industry, manufacturing, and other applications which rely on it to power their processes. So there will continue to be a role for gas and pipelines as we know and think of them today. 

At the same time, I’m excited at the prospect of new technologies such as renewable gases – principally green hydrogen (which is produced using renewable energy) and biomethane. Both hydrogen and biomethane are in their formative stages and I’m proud to see Jemena testing their application in a distribution context via our Western Sydney Green Hydrogen Hub and at the Malabar Biomethane Injection Plant within Australia. Both projects are demonstrating the role renewable gases can play in our future energy system, while offering key technical insights into how they can be deployed at scale.