Leadership Class
The Institute for Energy Law (IEL) is proud to announce its 8th Leadership Class, composed of 43 rising professionals selected for the 2025–26 program. This year’s class represents a diverse group of attorneys from eight U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Mexico, and the United Kingdom, with experience ranging from three to thirteen years in the energy industry.
Class members bring a broad range of expertise, including oil and gas litigation and transactions, energy transition, land and title, midstream, upstream, natural gas, hydrogen, and more. The class also includes several engineers and a forensic accountant, enriching the group with varied technical and analytical perspectives.
Outside of their professional accomplishments, members of the 2025–26 class are deeply engaged in their communities. Their volunteer efforts span pro bono work and advocacy related to diversity, veterans, immigration, LGBTQ+ issues, mentorship, and beyond. The class includes musicians, avid runners, world travelers, first- and second-generation immigrants, second-career attorneys, a former National Spelling Bee competitor, and even a coffee farm owner.
The program kicks off with virtual sessions in August and a retreat in September. Over the course of the year, the class will participate in webinars, networking events, and other programming designed to foster leadership and connection among the next generation of energy professionals.
The 2025-26 IEL Leadership Class consists of the following individuals:
- J. Amber Ahmed
- Sam A. Allen
- Emeka Anyanwu
- Grant Armentor
- Christopher Caudill
- Lincoln Chen
- Chris Childers
- Jessica Daniels
- Kaitlyn Dawson
- Andy DeGory
- Marisa Del Turco
- Mack Dowiak
- Brandon Durrett
- Nicole Hager Fingeroot
- Courtney Giles
- Mallory Hasbrook
- Lauren Guichard Hoskin
- Samantha Jarvis
- Greg Kerr
- Daria Kuznetsova
- Brendan P. Lucas
- Mason Malpass
- Jack K. Moxon
- John Ngunjiri
- Nick T. Niiro
- Adrián Ortiz de Elguea Leiva
- Reeny Philip
- Bob Pillow
- Nishu Prashant
- Liz A. Pursley
- Jeff Roderick
- Emily Rohles
- Will Ruez
- M. Alejandra Salas
- Diana Stanley
- Jennifer J. Stuhldreher
- Jim Tartaglia
- Rachael Thompson
- Trey Todd, CPA, CFF, CFE
- Vi Tran
- Graham Valenta
- Kirsten D. Vesel
- David Vinson
9th National Young Energy Professionals Conference
April 22-23, 2026
AT&T Hotel & Conference Center
Austin, TX