“If your leadership style doesn’t evolve, you won’t last long in the role.”
George Koperna shares his journey from petroleum engineer to CEO of Advanced Resources International. He opens up about the challenges of leadership in a technical consulting firm, the importance of collaboration, and the unexpected shift from engineering to people management. Whether you're climbing the ranks or already at the top, George’s insights offer valuable lessons on growth, humility, and leading with purpose.
Key takeaways
Leadership requires a shift from technical expertise to interpersonal agility.
Succession planning is essential - even when it feels premature.
Mentoring helps, but authentic leadership comes from knowing what works for you.
Next step: Reflect on how your leadership style supports your team’s growth and your organization’s future.
About George
George J. Koperna Jr. is the CEO of Advanced Resources International, Inc.. He specializes in CO2 storage and enhanced recovery, and has led major projects across both public and private domains. George plays a key role in international standards development and chairs efforts within the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from West Virginia University.
Uplevel Your Career
Connect with MAC at https://www.redtreeconsultingllc.com/.
Connect with Liz at https://www.sparkleadership.co.uk/.
About the Hosts
Dr. Maria Angela Capello (MAC) is the President of Red Tree Consulting LLC and a distinguished leader in the energy sector. She spearheads initiatives in sustainability, diversity and inclusion (D&I), and geosciences.
MAC has held prominent roles at Kuwait Oil Company, Halliburton, and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The Italian Government has honored her with the “Star of Italy” knighthood, and UNESCO has endorsed her work, publishing her report “Geosciences in Action - Advancing Sustainable Development.”
MAC was recently conferred the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Lifetime Achievement Award for Diversity and Inclusion. Author of more than 107 technical articles and four books, Capello earned her PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Plymouth (UK) in 2024, an MSc in Geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines (USA), and a BSc in Physics from Simon Bolivar University (Venezuela).
Dr. Elizabeth Coffey (Liz), Founder of Spark Leadership Ltd, is an internationally recognized leadership expert, lecturer, and author who develops CEOs, CEO Successors, and Board Executives of FTSE 100 and Global 500 companies. She has coached CEOs and their successors in a wide range of businesses and sectors.
Previously a Senior Partner in Korn Ferry’s Leadership and Talent Consultancy, Liz held senior positions with Mercer Delta Consulting and The Change Partnership. In 2022-23, she was a Distinguished Lecturer for SPE, speaking to thousands of leaders across the energy sector in more than 50 countries about “How CEOs Lead for Success.”Liz has written several leadership books, including McGraw Hill's “10 Things That Keep CEOs Awake – and How to Put Them to Bed” (2002), Deutsche Bank's “The End of Tolerance?” (2001), and “The Changing Culture of Leadership – Women Leaders’ Voices” (1999).
Liz has received many awards over the past two decades, including an Honourary Doctorate (2024), Woman Super Achiever (2018), Mentor of the Year (2007), and the European Woman of Achievement Award (2001). She has worked in more than 40 countries, including extensively in several GCC countries.